Silver vs Black finish on Zeiss Ikon body

[jc48375]

I am looking for a ZI and would like your feedback on the differences how the two finishes feel in hand and how they wear over time?

I have no way of getting my hands on either finishes so your feedback in greatly appreciated.

Supposedly the chrome wears better than the black - but is the silver finish on the ZI a chrome finish similar to that of a Leica or is it a powder-finish?

Is the black a painted finish or black chrome similar to Leica?

Which one is more durable and easier to hold in hand? Chrome finish can be slippery on some products.

Thank you again!

 

[froyd]

feels like powder finish for silver, but quite good. Not the same as chrome but when I had my silver ZM I was thinking of making it look like one posted on RFF a few years back: silver metal with grey lizard skin. It looked fantastic (cannot find the picture now).

 

[froyd]

Found it...

Credit due to the original poster, who's handle I don't remember...

I ended up getting rid of the ZM after 8 months due to it's finicky VF before making the conversion to grey skin, but every now and then I think about getting one and dressing it up like the picture above.

 

[kshapero]

I have owned both. The silver version in MHO looks like crap when it wears. Looks like plastic underneath. The black version has silver ugly look underneath like the CV Bessa's. So....take good care of your ZI.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Both look great when new. But as for how they wear, from the numerous used samples I've seen in the Tokyo used camera stores, I'd say the the black paint version ages considerably more gracefully than the silver (definitely not chrome) version, as scratches and marks on the silver version stand out a lot more. The silver version looks pretty ugly after heavy use.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

At least the black ZI can be touched up with a Sharpie.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Real wear should always be carried with pride.

Synthetically introduced wear, not so much.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

Tell that to Lenny.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Hey! That lizard skin ZI was mine!

I tend to, almost invariably, favor black finishes on cameras. There are a few rangefinders that look great in chrome, though. I had previously owned three black Leica M7s. Not sure why i went with the chrome Zeiss Ikon — maybe just because i wanted to fool around with the 'alternate' covering? Anyway, i did find the chrome finish to be beautiful. I didn't use it enough to get to a 'wear' issue, though.

That all said, i think if i were to buy another Ikon, i'd go with a black one. Not out of dissatisfaction with the chrome. Maybe just that i got it out of my system?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Two more views:

 

[froyd]

So classy... wish I gotten around to copy your look but, like you, I moved on long before getting to test the durability of the silver finish.

 

[Out to Lunch]

I'd agree that they don't age particularly well. This is why I'm using leather cases with them. The Zeiss cases are well made of high grade leather and fit well.

 

[noimmunity]

At least the black ZI can be touched up with a Sharpie.

And the silver one can be retouched with "tin"-colored "dorure liquide". It worked for mine when I applied it to the shutter lock.

 

[jc48375]

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences... black body it is....

happy shooting.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have used both for a long time. They both make the same photos. Buy which ever is cheapest. Think of your camera as no more than a device to make photos with and not a fashion statement.

 

[Samouraï]

Hmm, I'd get whichever one ages less gracefully and more quickly. That way you look cooler.