Question about black cameras

[msbarnes]

Is Leica the only camera manufacturer to use "black chrome".

Most of my cameras are chrome and only recently have I been lusting black cameras. I think most/all non-leica black (metallic) cameras are black paint, right? I understand that it is hard to make a broad generalization, but I never hear black chrome vs black paint arguments, unless it is on a Leica. (on the other hand, Leica users/collectors are more fastidious when it comes to these things).

 

[mfogiel]

Hasselblads are black chrome, and also from what it looks like, the Contax SLR's are like that.

 

[burancap]

Hasselblads are black chrome...

Had quite a few, and several black (all paint), but I have not seen a black chrome one. Which model?

 

[mfogiel]

They are black chrome, because under the paint you see chrome and not brass, as you nick them - this is at least what happens to mine.

 

[burancap]

They are black chrome, because under the paint you see chrome and not brass, as you nick them - this is at least what happens to mine.

Hmmm, yeah, that is black paint over *I believe* a nickel finish. That is quite different than black chrome.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Then of course there's black anodized...

Cheers,

R.

 

[burancap]

This is quite interesting. I thought at first, hem-haw. Now I am struggling to think of one!

 

[f16sunshine]

The Hexar AF is as well, the Hexar RF may be.
I used to not like the black chrome ... it's grown on me as my cameras have.

The Hexar AF looks great even when becoming well worn.

 

[burancap]

I just went over to the cabinet. How about a Rollei 35?

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Black Konica C35 is anodized.

 

[maddoc]

Hasselblad XPAN also, I think ....

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[Range-rover]

I have two Black Olympus camera's a OM-1n and a OM4 they always look
great in black.

Range

 

[Richard G]

Sure it's clever, and less common than you'd think. But my M4-2 was starting to look pretty dirty after ten years and my Monochrom which has had much more use in 11 months is going the same way, although only a little. I much prefer Leica silver chrome cameras which can look new 50 years later.

 

[x-ray]

They are black chrome, because under the paint you see chrome and not brass, as you nick them - this is at least what happens to mine.

My black 500cm is black paint on chrome. It doesn't adhere well either. I think under the chrome is copper plate for the chrome to stick to and the copper plate is on steel. No black chrome that I've ever seen.

I had a black chrome M6 and have a black chrome MP a la carte. I personally like the flat finish of black chrome but it's soft and wears easy. It's nothing like silver chrome.

I don't know of any other black chrome cameras. I'll say my nikon Df has the nicest flat black paint I've ever seen and it's holding up very well.

 

[x-ray]

Hasselblad XPAN also, I think ....

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

The XPan I had was definately very bad black paint. It chips off very easily.
I've thought about taking a leica and having it stripped and an olive green ceramic gun finish put on it. Even considered a ceramic camo ;-).

 

[Rob-F]

We have some Calphalon heavy aluminum pots & pans with "Calphalon Finish." This is a dull black finish described as "hard anodized." When new, it looks a lot like a new Leica in black chrome. When it's old and worn, it looks a lot like an old and worn black chrome Leica. I wonder if "black Chrome" and "Calphalon FInish" are the same thing?

 

[aizan]

i've seen a black chrome canon 7. it was gorgeous, but i'm not sure if it was original. apparently you can do it just like black paint.

 

[nongfuspring]

I'm pretty sure it's anodized chrome which is then dyed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anodizing#Dyeing

It's very different from black paint since the metal surface is first made semi-porous and the colour is in a sense part of the metal, not just applied over the top.

 

[Landshark]

There's no camera that I'm aware of that uses black "chrome".
Leica and others are anodized or painted.

I also doubt very much that any manufacturer has used steel for covers(14).

Can't forget about all the resin bodies either.

 

[enasniearth]

There's no camera that I'm aware of that uses black "chrome".
Leica and others are anodized or painted.

I also doubt very much that any manufacturer has used steel for covers(14).

Can't forget about all the resin bodies either.

All the Leica black cameras from the m5 on are black chrome other than special edition or limited run cameras . The late m4 are black chrome .
The finish is actually rather durable , but ugly when it wears .
It's dull so not noticeable - if its worn the camera has seen a lot of 'action'