novice9 Posted October 20, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 20, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am purchasing an M9 and while I had my heart set on on grey i am going to get black because i have been assured i will get it faster this way. I am also going to purchase a 50/1.4. I was planning on purchasing that in silver. Now that I am getting the black, would the silver look like crap on the black? Is the silver built better because it apparently has brass and does that make a difference? Many thanks for any opinions. I realize this is a very silly question. T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Hi novice9, Take a look here Silly Question -- black or silver 50/1.4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
carstenw Posted October 20, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 20, 2009 Personally, I think silver lenses on black cameras look nice, but it is a bit special. Here is one example, although the 50 Lux ASPH is larger and squarer than this lens: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/galleries/essays/images/leica_sm.jpg This camera was presented to former Czech president Vaclav Havel. I am planning to buy my M9 in black, and have a 35 Lux ASPH in chrome which I will use with it, among other lenses. I find that chrome lenses which have a more classic shape (i.e. 35 Lux ASPH but not 50 Lux ASPH) look a bit better in chrome, but that is a minor detail. Chrome lenses have a different feel, since the brass is softer and clicks gentler. It is also heavier, however, and the difference is immediately noticeable, although ultimately not so important in the larger scheme of things. I would love to have more chrome lenses, personally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted October 20, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 20, 2009 I am purchasing an M9 and while I had my heart set on on grey i am going to get black because i have been assured i will get it faster this way. I am also going to purchase a 50/1.4. I was planning on purchasing that in silver. Now that I am getting the black, would the silver look like crap on the black? Is the silver built better because it apparently has brass and does that make a difference? Many thanks for any opinions. I realize this is a very silly question. T. SIlver/chrome for me, not for their "look" but because Leica silver/chrome lenses are made of brass and the black ones are anodized aluminium. I like the feeling and the weight of the brass. Leica chrome lenses feel smoother to my fingers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
novice9 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted October 20, 2009 thanks both for the thoughtful replies. All of existing lenses are black and so it can't hurt to get one in silver. Besides, the lenses i'll have for the rest of my life and i'm sure the m9 will be outdated in a relatively short period and perhaps my next M will be in the silver family. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted October 20, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 20, 2009 You won't regret one, or some, chrome lenses, even if you have a black body Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted October 20, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 20, 2009 SIlver/chrome for me, not for their "look" but because Leica silver/chrome lenses are made of brass and the black ones are anodized aluminium. I like the feeling and the weight of the brass. Leica chrome lenses feel smoother to my fingers. Black painted lenses are also made of brass. And the latest chrome M lens was not made of brass, but silver anodized. The silver 28/2,8 Asph made for the M8.2 Safari. "By using silver anodizing on aluminium parts, the low weight of only 180 grams has been maintained." Leica Camera AG - Photography - Leica M8.2 Safari Lucien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted October 20, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 20, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) the latest chrome M lens was not made of brass, but silver anodized. Yes, but that is the *only* one, of all Leica chrome lenses ever made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted October 20, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 20, 2009 Yes, but that is the *only* one, of all Leica chrome lenses ever made. Nope. The silver 28mm f/2.0 SUMMICRON-M ASPH was also anodized. Lucien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted October 20, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 20, 2009 Nope. The silver 28mm f/2.0 SUMMICRON-M ASPH was also anodized. Lucien Lucien, I didn't know the silver SUMMICRON-M 28mm f/2.0 ASPH was also anodized. Good to know because I thought a lot of times selling my black copy for getting a silver one. You have just made me to take the decision of keeping it. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted October 20, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 20, 2009 Lucien, I didn't know the silver SUMMICRON-M 28mm f/2.0 ASPH was also anodized. Good to know because I thought a lot of times selling my black copy for getting a silver one. You have just made me to take the decision of keeping it. Thank you. You are welcome. I made the same decision for the same reason. And thank to that also, the Safari M8.2 was never an option. Ouf ! Lucien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 20, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 20, 2009 ...anyway, the Summilux 50 is a "real" chrome (466g vs. 355 for the black one); I am simply BIASED towards chromes... ... so my opinion is worthless. (I phoned not less than 6 shops to ask if any Safari buyer would feel superflous the silver 28 2,8...). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted October 20, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 20, 2009 ...anyway, the Summilux 50 is a "real" chrome (466g vs. 355 for the black one); I am simply BIASED towards chromes... ... so my opinion is worthless. Me to, but not with a red dot on the camera. It's more difficult to hide with black tape. That's why I loved the M6J, the MP and the "à la carte" program. Lucien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted October 20, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 20, 2009 Wrong lens, wrong camera - but you'll get the idea: actually, on the black paint M8 the contrast looks better still. I think that chrome lenses on a black body look splendid. I do have a chrome 50 'lux on my M9. They are a lot heavier . . . but if that's not an issue, then there's a lot to be said for them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted October 20, 2009 Share #14 Posted October 20, 2009 I think that chrome lenses on a black body look splendid. With a chrome Tele-Elmarit. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/100866-silly-question-black-or-silver-5014/?do=findComment&comment=1082911'>More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted October 20, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 20, 2009 With a chrome 35/2 Asph. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/100866-silly-question-black-or-silver-5014/?do=findComment&comment=1082916'>More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted October 20, 2009 Share #16 Posted October 20, 2009 HI There Is that a Luigi half case? anyway, I finally got organised, so here is a shot of my M9 with a 50 f1.4 chrome: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 20, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 20, 2009 Have to admit I always choose black because the only definite non-cosmetic difference I can detect is that the black lenses are lighter to carry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted October 20, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 20, 2009 Have to admit I always choose black because the only definite non-cosmetic difference I can detect is that the black lenses are lighter to carry HI David I quite agree . . . or at least, I did, until I carried the above combination for a 10 hour trek at 40 Centigrade in my left hand - it's certainly heavier, but if that was comfortable (and it was), then I've convinced myself that weight isn't an issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted October 20, 2009 Share #19 Posted October 20, 2009 Welcome to the forum, T. Not a silly question at all. Like many of the folks here, I very much prefer chrome lenses. To me they evoke a timeless, classic look. I'll always buy a chrome lens over a black one, given the choice. That's also why many of us prefer chrome (or, the case of the M9, Silver Grey) bodies - because they seem to match up better.. That said, I've already told my dealer to send me the next M9 he receives - and I expect that to be black. Before telling him that I wrestled with the very question you raise. I still think chrome/grey bodies look better with chrome lenses. But I don't think a chrome lens on a black body looks bad at all... a la the examples above. I especially like the look of a chrome lens on a black body if it has a black hood on the front. After many years of silver, I'm now looking forward quite excitedly to my first black M body! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted October 21, 2009 Share #20 Posted October 21, 2009 With an N of 1, this is hardly scientific. But I owned a black version and found the focus ring rather stiff, so much it was factor in my letting it go. I read that this was fairly common in this otherwise exceptional lens. I later purchased a silver sample and it's focus ring is very smooth. While it's just 1 comparison, others have reported the same experience. Mine spends most of it's time on a chrome M7, but I'm not ashamed to bring it out on my black M8, it looks fine. best....Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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