The issue is finish.....

[steve garza]

Is the Black Chrome really more durable than the paint? does the chrome take on a dull, mottled finish with time? Anyone have experience here?

 

[Crasis]

Is the Black Chrome really more durable than the paint? does the chrome take on a dull, mottled finish with time? Anyone have experience here?

Perhaps you aren't looking for a used look but every single used black paint that I've seen has gorgeous brassing. Black paint wears very beautifully in a way that screams "I actually use this camera."

 

[venchka]

When I was shopping, I looked at a black chrome M5 beater. Literally-the top front corner near the shutter speed dial was badly crumpled. Otherwise, the finish didn't look too bad. I opted to buy an umblemished black chrome M5 body. It doesn't appear to have ever been used. Next to my black paint over brass Canon EF, the M5 doesn't show any brassing. The Canon has one short edge where the strap has worn through the paint. The brass underneath looks fine. The black paint has a shine that the black chrome doesn't have. They look different but they look fine to me.

Hope this helps.

 

[steve garza]

Thanks. Hopefully it'll turn out ok. I just sold off my G kit and am using the proceeds to finance an MP a la carte. Was having trouble finding a used 0.85 and from what I've seen, the used are about the same price I'm paying with my student discount. I've ordered in Black chrome. We'll see what comes back from the old country.

 

[x-ray]

I have a black chrome MP, silver chrome MP and a black chrome M6. I really don't like the brass look of black paint. My Nikons that I've used for many years have brass showing and to me there's no beauty in brass. My black chrome M6 has worn untill the chrome is getting thin and the zinc is starting to make silver looking spots in the finish. I don't really like this look either but I can live with it. My MP black chrome is totally another matter. It's a real mat finish unlike the M6 which is almost a gloss. The MP is truly a beautiful finish and shows no sign of wear even after using it heavily for eight months. Years of use will tell but I think the new black chrome on brass vs zinc will be much nicer longer. If used enough everything will wear but I see no need to accelerate the depriciation of my equipment. I guess over the years I've seen too many fellow professionals with cameras beat to death and almost no finish on them. To me this only shows that the person has no respect for fine equipment that he earns his living with.

 

[Xmas]

HCB might have used a black to give another 0.3 of a second before he was spotted. If you take the paint job out of the bubble wrap it can chip, ignore if you rub it it will dissappear like a spell from the wizard of Oz, or Alladins lamp/ring.

My M2 looks like it took a 44 and that is after Leitz tried removing the damage.

Still works ok.

Noel