Lens colour?

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Come on guys, give the OP a break. It's a perfectly legitimate question and poking fun at a first time poster isn't helpful.

 

MachineGun - All lenses perform the same, so choose whichever you wish. It's entirely up to you and no one is going to point at you in the street for having a black lens on a silver body, or a silver one on a black body. They would laugh if you had a pink lens...

 

And welcome to the forum.

 

Well said! This type of unnecessary sarcastic quip is not unprecedented.

 

dunk

[SJP]

I don't see the "poking fun at" as very nasty in this case, plus there were plenty of serious responses as well.

 

Net result: the OPs question was answered + it was implicitly made clear that optical performance is more important than whether the set up "looks good".

 

As a final point, all else being equal I would prefer a chrome lens, but these are not always available. Reason: looks better on my chrome M2, M8, and I prefer the larger weight (exception is the 28/2 ASPH, same weight).

[lct]

...what colour lens goes best with which body?...

Welcome to the forum. Black lenses go well with all bodies. Silver ones go mainly with silver and green bodies although i don't hate them on a black body from time to time. Titanium goes with titanium, and gold with gold of course!

[antistatic]

When I first really considered Leica I found the nomenclature and culture all a bit baffling (and still do sometimes ). I would not have been completely surprised to find that lens and body compatability were colour coded.

 

BTW I wear my silver lenses on my black MP with pride.

[jaapv]

I have my hand up. My wife couldn't give a hoot what the colour of my car is or what the seat covers are made of. Why would she? I'm not sure I even discussed anything about my car (which, incidentally, is bright yellow) with my wife before ordering it.

The salesman at my car dealer tells me that is a quite unusual situation.

[jaapv]

There is nothing 'tongue in cheek' about the bullying of forum members and finally there has been an appropriate response from a moderator.

 

Steve

Bullying:confused: I was referring to my own thread, which was implied here...

[luigi bertolotti]

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I have my hand up. My wife couldn't give a hoot what the colour of my car is or what the seat covers are made of. Why would she? I'm not sure I even discussed anything about my car (which, incidentally, is bright yellow) with my wife before ordering it.

 

The same for me... but I have the idea she would have something to discuss if I'd take a bright yellow one ....

[wilfredo]

Come on guys, give the OP a break. It's a perfectly legitimate question and poking fun at a first time poster isn't helpful.

 

Andy

Thanks for the info, and thanks for sticking up for me.

Here I had thought I had found had found a forum that was devoid of children, but alas they seem to be everywhere.

Thanks again

MachineGun

 

Mach,

 

I see you haven't been back to this thread. I hope you don't give-up on this forum. I have found it invaluable when I've needed information, and most people here take questions seriously.

 

Black or Silver it's all a matter of personal choice, there is no difference in the optics of the lens, and you will get the same results from both, especially if you use a lens hood. Some prefer black because they claim it will produce less glare but that is debatable. Silver lenses might be slightly heavier.

 

I recently sold the silver Zeiss lens pictured here to another forum member. My next lens will probably be a 50mm Summilux ASPH, and will probably be silver. I personally like the vintage look of silver lenses.

 

Cheers!

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[MachineGun]

 

Mach,

 

I see you haven't been back to this thread. I hope you don't give-up on this forum. I have found it invaluable when I've needed information, and most people here take questions seriously.

 

Black or Silver it's all a matter of personal choice, there is no difference in the optics of the lens, and you will get the same results from both, especially if you use a lens hood. Some prefer black because they claim it will produce less glare but that is debatable. Silver lenses might be slightly heavier.

 

I recently sold the silver Zeiss lens pictured here to another forum member. My next lens will probably be a 50mm Summilux ASPH, and will probably be silver. I personally like the vintage look of silver lenses.

 

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the help.

The reason I posted the question was I had read elsewere that a silver lens on a black body was a no no. The black lens and body was the way to go.

I don't see anything wrong with the picture that you posted, makes me want one even more.

Thanks again

MachineGun

[jaapv]

Just buy the lens and body you like - who gives a hoot for the colour? The only argument that makes sense is that silver lenses are heavier, thus may balance better.

[250swb]

Bullying:confused: I was referring to my own thread, which was implied here...

 

I apologise if I misread your comments Jaap. Its often difficult to sort out the 'ironic' comments from the gobshite responses when dealing with such easy to answer questions don't you think?

 

Steve

[jaapv]

Yeah-well, I understand - I believe candy-striped Noctiluxes are quite rare...:p

[earleygallery]

For the record my original response was serious albeit given in a sarcastic manner perhaps, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

 

We know that some lenses only come in one finish so if it did matter what would one do if one wished to use a lens that didn't 'match' (according to which rule?!) their camera?

 

Next we can lay down rules about what colour case, strap, jacket, shoes etc to go with each lens/body variation!

[gwelland]

Next we can lay down rules about what colour case, strap, jacket, shoes etc to go with each lens/body variation!

 

Absolutely!!!

 

The well dressed Leica gentleman can only be seen with black or brown cases on silver cameras, or black on black cameras. It is expected that the wearer's belt and shoes match the chosen camera case otherwise it's considered a definite faux-pas.

 

[M9n]

Hi MachineGun,

 

Look what you started here!

 

Well, I was pretty much in the same position not long ago, albeit specifically about the 50mm Summilux ASPH, and used this forum to test the waters to help me make my mind up on which finish to go for. There was a possible waiting aspect (i.e. long delay!) if I wanted the black-on-black option as no dealer I spoke to could quote a realistic delivery date.

 

As things happened, I was offered a silver/chrome finish lens and I leapt at it, and guess what - I actually like the silver lens on black body combination!

 

If it is of any help the thread to my original question and set of very helpful answers is

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/120468-summilux-50mm-f1-4-asph-chrome.html

 

What should count most is the performance of the lens, as many have pointed out here. However, yes, I think your question is valid as it is an investment buying any Leica M lens, and why shouldn't you choose what you like best, and if the all black co-ordinated look feels most comfortable and appealing then stay with it.

 

Regardless of what your final choice is, I hope you derive great enjoyment and satisfaction from owning a great camera system! Good Shooting.

[NZDavid]

When I first read the title I assumed the OP was referring to the color rendition of various lenses -- some, like the earlier Leitz lenses -- tend to be warmer; Zeiss lenses can be cooler, etc.

 

The rest is pure fashion and a waste of time. Or is it...

 

Until recently, black and chrome were about the only choice in cameras, as with hi-fi gear. Now manufacturers have cunningly begun to offer enticing offerings in white (including Leica's M8 special edition and the little C-Lux), red, blue, and yes, even pink (Kodak, Fuji, Sony).

 

So far, so fashionable. Matters not a jot to performance. Silver lenses with black bodies, btw, were perfectly acceptable with early Leicas. And if you want to make the silver stand out less, put on a black hood.

 

Just one area where color may actually have a practical significance: all these long, pro Canon lenses you see at sports matches and news conferences; they are white, not black. The main reason, I understand, is to keep them cooler -- physically, not just looks, though of course white lenses are a point of difference with the opposition.

[gwelland]

Just one area where color may actually have a practical significance: all these long, pro Canon lenses you see at sports matches and news conferences; they are white, not black. The main reason, I understand, is to keep them cooler -- physically, not just looks, though of course white lenses are a point of difference with the opposition.

 

Btw, many would be surprised to know that Nikon produce limited numbers of at least of their long glass in light grey too. (70-200VR).