Do black cameras still have an edge in stealth?

[Rodchenko]

I think you're probably right.

 

[Takkun]

As far as the camera itself, it has more to do with size and shape. Just the sight of a lens popping out of a rectangular box these days is unusual enough to grab anyone's attention if it's in their field of vision. If you're a middle aged or older fellow with a retro camera they won't think much of it, but if you're young there's a good chance people will think you're a hipster, especially if you're wearing a trustfundium outfit. I like to dress nice, and I like to take pictures, but I don't do both at the same time. When in Rome.

I used to wear suits to work. For some reason, this translated into my mother thinking I was dressed the same when I'm stomping around abandoned buildings and back alleys around here. She once cautioned that I ought to 'dress more like a bum' when I'm shooting... I guess flannel and hiking boots count as that, for me.

Regarding stealthiness, context is everything. I took this photo on an assignment in Chinatown back in Boston. These guys didn't care that I was sticking an enormous SLR in their faces. They looked up, then went back to their game.
No such luck down on the waterfront here.