Black or Silver?

I would always prefer gold-and-snakeskin. Failing that chrome does look best, but black laquer is the traditional color, as the first Leica's were. Btw chrome lenses are still in the official catalogue as on Leica's website.
 
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There are some exceptions, but in general the chrome lenses are heavier than black because of the use of brass rather than alloys in the construction. If you carry a number of lenses, that can add up. OTOH chrome bodies are the same weight as black ones.

 
Chrome, though I bought my first leica lens in black (the current summicron 2/50) and stayed with black (of course) when purchasing the 2/28 ASPH and (to be consistent) the 2/90 AA.

But then...I bought a chrome MP (next to my M6TTL chrome body) and fell in love..with the combination of the chrome MP with the limited 2/50 summicron "50 years" chrome edition. This combi looks so great, that now I have decided to buy a chrome 2/35 ASPH (and did this today!!!) (although I wonder was has gotten into me, since the difference between 28 summicron and 35 summicron is not really big..). But hey, the MP, chrome 35 and chrome 50 summicron make a beautyful set, don't they?

And thinking it over, I paid in total for the MP .72 chrome, 2/50 "50 years" and 2/35 ASPH in total EUR 4300 new..Not a bad deal, don't you think so?
 
BTW, my 2/28 gets a bit damaged from putting on and taking of the hood. Does this happen with chrome Leica lenses to (with in mind my new 2/35 ASPH...)??
 
The 2/35 has a stick-on hood, so yes, if some scratchy dirt comes between the lens and the hood it may become slightly marked.
 
The black ones are harder to see in the dark. :D Now where did I put it.

I guess chrome lenses will still be available to order, at a premium. They'll probably just drop them from mainline production I guess. :(
 
I must admit that I am definitely not a fan of any sort of gold on cameras...it just looks "wrong" to me. I have seen some of those gold R6 special editions and my reaction is one of disbelief. Gold patterned camera covering is better, but I still don't like it. But I like RML! Just not his camera covering...

Hmm, I see both you and jpaav both like it -- it must be a Dutch thing!
 
Yeah, I think that thing is utterly hideous...I was really surprised when Gandy said it might be "the prettiest M camera". Yuck. I guess I just don't really like gold that much. A little bit on a watch is ok if the strap is leather, but those gold rolexes with the gold bands are too flashy for me. But in a camera? No thanks. It must be the protestant blood coursing through my veins that recoils at the ostentatious.
 
My remark about the gold one was not meant to be too serious. All my Leica's have always been silver, which I happen to prefer with black lenses. But I saw one of these: http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/msystem/sondermodelle/black/index.html
in a shopnot too long ago and I must say I would have bought it there and then.That glossy black paint finish combined with the M3 elements makes it one of the most desirable Leica's ever imo. Fortunately (in retrospect) I didn't have the right credit card with me.
 
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