Zeiss ZM Finish - Black or Chrome?

[jljohn]

I am about to pull the trigger on a ZM 50mm f/2 Planar, and I wanted to ask about people's experience with the Zeiss finishes. I have read, anecdotally, that folks have had the black finish wear really fast and that the chrome just seems to have a better feel and look to it. None of my local shops have the ZM's in stock, so I cannot go look for myself. Frankly, I don't care too much which I have (I have a black M6 and hope to add an M3 at some point, so either finish will be fine), but I would like to hear from anyone who has a thought on the quality of the two Zeiss finishes. Thanks!

 

[kshapero]

I like mine black.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I have both neither has been a problem. From what I see on the black it wears much like the Leica line in black.

 

[semilog]

I think Zeiss lenses look better in chrome, whether mounted on a chrome M, a black M, or a black Hasselblad.

 

[jljohn]

So I have a plus for black, a plus for both, and a plus for chrome. So far, I cannot go wrong! Man you all are fast to reply--thanks.

 

[morback]

I have a black Planar and a silver Sonnar. I like silver the best, it's more classical. Both finish on lenses are just fine, my preference goes for silver though, doesn't look painted (for both bodies and lenses).

 

[MCTuomey]

i was out shooting saturday in very high heat and overwhelmingly harsh sun. my black camera and zm lens were sizzling. i was wishing i had classic chrome instead of stylin' black ...

 

[bennyng]

I didn't have the options. Both the Zeiss M lenses I own is not available in silver at all. So black it is. But I've played with the Silver ZM lenses and the Silver seems anodized, unlike the silver Zeiss Ikon body, which is silver painted.

Cheers,

 

[barnwulf]

I have both chrome and black Zeiss lenses and have had them for almost 2 years. They have had a fair amount of use and both still look fine to me. I think the markings on the black show up a little better. I prefer black anyway so that is my preference. I have loved black cameras and lenses for years.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have both a silver and a black ZI body. Some of my ZI lenses are black, others are silver. My other lenses are a mixture of black silver. I cannot tell any functional difference in the finish color. It seems to make no difference in the wear as well.

 

[tbarker13]

I have a black planar. Have had silver Zeiss lenses in the past, but never really liked the look of the finish.

 

[kzphoto]

I can only speak to the quality of the black lenses but they hold up really well. I used a 35/2 for four years as my exclusive lens. It had one small scratch on the barrel below the aperture ringand some wear on the bayonet. Otherwise no problems. It exceeded every expectation I had. If the chrome lenses are built like the chrome leica lenses, I'd lean that way.

 

[Mister E]

Black for sure.

 

[Mister E]

Why do you need another m body if you already have an M6?

 

[Avotius]

I have 3 ZM's in black, but I wish they were chrome. Just worked out that way somehow. The chrome lenses are preeeeety and do feel a little different than the blacks. That said my blacks have not worn much even with a lot of use. The blacks with the chrome bayonet rings are pretty too.

 

[dovevadar]

chrome for me. timeless classic

 

[Niko]

I like the chrome more. I looked at both colours when buying my first Zeiss lens (Planar 50), and the chrome finish seemed to be of higher quality.

The difference is not enough that i could justify paying more for the silver colour than black. I just ordered a Zeiss Ikon body, and i chose the black one, because it was 70EUR cheaper than the silver one.

 

[jljohn]

Thanks for the feedback on the finish. I have no more concerns about the black finish--i just need to pick now.

RE: "Why do you need another m body if you already have an M6?" Several reasons. First, I am planning on using my Leica M(s) to (second) shoot weddings, and feel it unwise to have a single camera to rely on at weddings. Second, My M6 has been in and out of the shop with meter problems. Third, I want to mount each lens on a camera and be able to use both at the same time (well not precisely the same time). Finally, I always wanted an M3 as my primary camera, but given that we purchased our first Leica for both my wife and me to use, and it needed to handle portrait sessions and weddings, we decided that a metered body would be a best first choice with a non-metered backup. In short, "need" is a strong word, and when the M6 is working properly, I do not need an M3. Let's just say I want one!

 

[efix]

My unqualified and probably not very helpful comment: Got a black Biogon 2/35 because it had a good price, would've loved silver for the classic look (and to match my chrome M8). It's only two months old, so no wear yet 🙂

 

[fuwen]

I have the ZM 21/2.8, 28/2.8, 35/2 and 50/2 in chrome. The 15/2.8 and 85/2 in black. No problem so far on finish for all of them.