M6 - Black or Chrome

[jmooney]

I know this may sound trivial but it's a curiosity that hit me while discussing my pending M6 purchase with my wife. I prefer the black and she prefers the chrome.

What do you use and why did you go with that color?

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Black. It is less intrusive. But, does it weight less?

 

[Vin Vermier]

No question - silver chrome. Why own a Leica RF if it doesn't look like the one you've probably always pictured in your mind? Fans of black will usually point out that black is less obtrusive looking and therefore will not attract as much attention on the street or make you the target of unwanted attention by hoodlums and ne're do wells. Gimme a break.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Are we talking black paint or black chrome?

 

[pau3]

I have a black one. Now I want chrome.

 

[BillP]

Are we talking black paint or black chrome?

Or pinstripe...?

I have a black one and a chrome one, and bugger me, they both take pictures!

Regards,

Bill

 

[HuubL]

My Leica RFs are all chrome, when I get an M6 it will be chrome too! Chrome stays more beautiful.

Not that I don't like black, my vintage Canon FD SLRs are all black... ;-)

 

[like2fiddle]

My M6 is black, and my M2 is chrome. Interestingly enough, when people make comments about the M6, it's usually something like, "...is that a Leica?"; and when they comment about the M2, it's usually something like, "...wow, that's an old camera". I don't know why, but the chrome seems to conjure up images of "old" or "classic" and the black seems to trigger a sense of being "newer, more modern" (which in my case is accurate).

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

i laugh (inside) when people look at my Leica and say 'That's a nice Kodak'.

Brand names matter to some people. Not me.

Yes, it's a nice Kodak.

Why bother?

 

[vieri]

Black - Though I got a silver M6, I sold it to fund a black MP: silver wasn't for me, I am a black guy when it comes down to camera 😀

 

[anoldsock]

If she prefers chrome...well, there's your answer. It's a gift for her, so it would make sense to get her something that she wanted.

 

[John Bragg]

Black, as it is less obvious in candid work. Also the "black chrome" finish is far more durable than black paint finish on other Leicas. I took weeks to decide but I made the right choice for me eleven years ago.... I would like the MP in chrome however !!!!!!! One day perhaps, but the M6 is here to stay...

 

[RFBob]

Well it all depends on what purse you are using. Fashion police are everywhere.

 

[Beemermark]

If your talking about an M6, M7 or MP and paln to use it a lot go with the silver/chrome. It wears way better and looks better when worn. The new black finish gets dull where it wears and looks ugly (IMHO).

 

[maddoc]

Chrome 🙂 wears less and looks better with chrome lenses.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Production of black to chrome is in excess of 5:1 - is has been that way since the M4-P was being rolled out.

 

[EmilGil]

I've got a black chrome one and the only thing I'd like to change is the colour. Anybody want to trade a nice silver chrome M6TTL for my black one? 🙂

 

[narsuitus]

I voted for black because I prefer the way it looks but I also like the way the chrome withstands everyday wear and tear.

 

[jack palmer]

Had the Black Chrome M6 and sold it and bought a Chrome .85 MP. If I were to buy an M6 again it would be in Chrome.

 

[Vin Vermier]

I've got a black chrome one and the only thing I'd like to change is the colour. Anybody want to trade a nice silver chrome M6TTL for my black one? 🙂

Exchange the black chrome for a silver chrome body or just buy an extra body - everyone needs an extra camera; one to shoot B&W and the other slides. I have a M6 Titanium classic and and M7 chrome, but if you are married to the mechanical shutter yet still want the versatility of flash TTL, then look around for a decent deal before the new Leica prices push up the used bodies in July. There's a decent shop in Toronto that sells used Leica equipment and I know he underrates the condition of everything he sells. Harrysproshop has an immaculate M6TTL silver chrome for sale for under 2 grand. If you don't mind the 0.85x VF, it would be a steal. I'd've bought it if it weren't for the fact that I already have my "back-up" (the M7). Just passing along the message to RF aficionados.

Vin