Chrome Lenses

[whitecat]

Are chrome lenses considered a premium? 21mm Elmarit? 90mm Summicron? Are they still made?

 

[payasam]

Can't answer your question, but you might like to replace the "Bigonon" in your signature with "Biogon".

 

[whitecat]

Thanks, Teacher!

 

[Austerby]

I'm unclear why it's necessary to list one's possessions below one's signature as if it gives credibility to what one is saying. I used to do it but stopped when I realised the list was longer than my posting....

 

[jfujita]

The chrome lenses are made of brass as is my understanding. I've got two of the discontinued chrome/brass lenses, a 35 IV cron and a 35 lux asph and there are significant differences in weight between those and their black counterparts.

 

[Tuolumne]

Really? I thought black was the premium RF color, since there tended to be so few of them made in the olden days.

/T

 

[Austerby]

Coming back to the thread topic (apologies for the off-track diversion), chrome lenses may have a premium due to scarcity and through manufacturing - they're heavier than black ones so may be a little more robust. Most modern lenses seem to have been black by default so chrome is rare (the ultimate must be a chrome Noctilux) - optically they are the same. I have both black and chrome but for cosmetic reasons rather than premium or performance reasons.

 

[pfoto]

Yes the chrome and black paint lenses have brass barrels and rings, heavier than the alloys the black lenses are made with. Some users will have you believe that they are better: more durable, smoother, etc. etc. and therefore should command a premium. However having used a number of each I can't personally discern a difference. Leica recently discontinued two or three of the chrome lenses including the 24mm, I believe cost was the reason. A number of brass lenses in your bag can really make a difference over a long day, but sometimes the heavier lenses do seem to balance better on the camera and may help with steadyness in the lower shutter speed range.

 

[raid]

Almost all my M/LTM lenses are chrome lenses. I never view them as being rare.
Maybe the exotic focal length chrome lenses are rare.

 

[raid]

Erik,

Your signature says it all here.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Leica only produces silver chrome lenses (and cameras), not so much because they’re classic looking or pretty, but because people buy them.

Chrome lenses have always been my preference even when I’ve felt a weighted bag full of them. They tend to look better (IMHO) regardless of the body color they’re mounted to and they most certainly wear better compared to black chrome. For many years now production of black to silver chrome has been more or less than 5:1. So once they’re discontinued they virtually disappear.

Silver chrome Leica lenses that would carry a premium (15% or more) include – all discontinued –

35mm Asph Summilux-M
24mm Asph Elmarit-M
21mm Asph Elmarit-M
35mm pre asph Summicron-M (made in Germany)

I can’t think of any others that might carry much of a premium, if any, at this time.

The 90mm Apo Summicron (also discontinued and hard to find) is extremely heavy compared to black chrome, so it will not likely carry much of a premium.

 

[maddoc]

(the ultimate must be a chrome Noctilux)

There is a chrome (prototype) Noctilux 50/1.2 listed on evil-bay for sale. (the well-known "low-price" seller from Hongkong 🙄 )

 

[payasam]

Surely there must have been a logic underlying the fact that most (all?) major lens manufacturers started with chromed brass lenses and only later moved to making black ones.

I suspect, Austerby, that in a world dominated by commodities, people are defined by the things they possess: houses, motor vehicles, cameras, and so on. On RFF, listing one's equipment is a quick way of identifying the sub-species to which one belongs.

 

[kalokeri]

AFAIK all chrome lenses are discontinued. Some may be still available new as some dealers might have them in stock.

Used lenses in chrome are said to be more expensive than their "black brothers". Don´t know why, but I myself like chrome finish because of the feeling and the look, but that´s just me (and some others).

Thomas

 

[northpole]

I compared silver vs black 35mm Summicron lenses side by side and it was clear to me that the brass bodied lens had a much more pleasant focus action - smooth as butter. Not that the black one was bad, just that the chrome model was exceptional.

Assuming the optics are the same, I'd buy chrome every time.

Shame if Leica have stopped all chrome production.

Peter

 

[Bill Blackwell]

"AFAIK all chrome lenses are discontinued. Some may be still available new as some dealers might have them in stock."

Actually, no. Current chrome Leica lens production includes -

50mm Summicron-M
50mm Asph Summilux-M
35mm Asph Summicron-M
90mm Macro-Elmar