Daniel Ortego Posted September 25, 2007 Share #1 Posted September 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why is it that when you’re new on a forum, you can only think of stupid questions? Anyway, I’m about ready to click the “continue” button to finalize my M8 purchase and thought of one more anal-retentive issue. Aside from personal taste, is there any tangible benefit between black vs. silver/chrome? Regards, ~DD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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bradreiman Posted September 25, 2007 Share #2 Posted September 25, 2007 that question could spark a 10 page thread but im going to start by saying-no, no real difference. I just bought my second m8 body yesterday and got another black because that one was stilled wrapped in box, makes a nice set with my other one too. now the replies about being "stealth" etc can tweak your judgement. have fun, you're going to love it....B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted September 25, 2007 Share #3 Posted September 25, 2007 Really depends on what you like. i have 2 black ones and i would imagine mine are much more beat up compared if i had two chrome ones. I have little scratches , wear marks and such. now some will say that black is more stealth looking than chrome and i agree it probably is on the street . on the same token the chrome ones may stand out more and again I would probably agree there too. But buy what is most comfortable to yourself and what your style is. Somedays i wish i did buy at least one chrome one, they are pretty cool looking or retro. I have just always had black camera's so that is normal for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted September 25, 2007 Share #4 Posted September 25, 2007 Hmmm... well if you intend to match the lenses - then the black lenses are lighter. I'm not sure if that's also the case for the body though. It also used to be the case that there were vastly more recent model black lenses on the second hand market. Apart from that - some people like black cameras because they are 'less obvious' than chrome ones. However I find that your body language is vastly more important than the size/colour of the camera if you're looking to take candid shots. Black cameras do tend to show up less in reflections though, which can be useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted September 25, 2007 Share #5 Posted September 25, 2007 I have both black and chrome. I carry the chrome all the time and the black only if I feel I need a backup or I want to use 2 lenses without having to change it on one body. I thought I would like the black better, after I bought the chrome one, so that is why my second one is black and that having 2 of the same color could get confusing. I've always had chrome M's and I like the chrome M8 better then the black. It's all personal preference. Buy 2, one chrome one black then you won't have to rack your brain over it or feel you bought the wrong color after the fact. I don't care what color my lenses are. All are black except the 50mm Lux that will be in my hands tomorrow. The reason I bought a chrome 50 Lux is that was all that was in stock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cme4brain Posted September 26, 2007 Share #6 Posted September 26, 2007 Why is it that when you’re new on a forum, you can only think of stupid questions? Anyway, I’m about ready to click the “continue” button to finalize my M8 purchase and thought of one more anal-retentive issue. Aside from personal taste, is there any tangible benefit between black vs. silver/chrome?Regards, ~DD I have a black M8 but prefer the look of the chrome (same color as my M6). Black was all the dealer had, and is felt to be the more professional, traditional color. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pemayeux Posted September 26, 2007 Share #7 Posted September 26, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've got black, I like it as it matches my MP and M6 - though I wish it were black paint like those two cameras. I would like to have a silver so as to have one of each. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted September 26, 2007 Share #8 Posted September 26, 2007 Hmmm... well if you intend to match the lenses - then the black lenses are lighter. I'm not sure if that's also the case for the body though. It also used to be the case that there were vastly more recent model black lenses on the second hand market. Apart from that - some people like black cameras because they are 'less obvious' than chrome ones. However I find that your body language is vastly more important than the size/colour of the camera if you're looking to take candid shots. Black cameras do tend to show up less in reflections though, which can be useful. The reason that silver lenses are heavier is that black lens mounts have outside parts of aluminum, but that cannot be satisfactory black chromed (actually anodized) so brass must be used. The top and bottom covers of all M8 cameras, black or silver, is milled brass (Hallelujah!) so there is no difference in weight. And I do completely agree with you on body language. While I was using silver SLR cameras for street photography, I found I could practically shove them up people's noses without anybody noticeing. It is all a question of attitude. The old man from the Age of Flashpowder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jothiratnam Posted September 26, 2007 Share #9 Posted September 26, 2007 Hi, when I bought my first Leica (M6), I too wonderd about this, but ended up getting two in the end anyway - one in each colour so I could have quick access to 2 different film-speeds. If you are interested, there are literally hundreds (possibly thousands) of opinions about this - in various forums and discussion-groups - all over the internet. Just google to find them. Personally, I too agree that body language and your approach is far more important than anything else. That having been said, I think a chrome one (especially with beat-up looking chrome lenses) may look more old-fashioned (= 'harmless'), and a black one more professional to many observers, though this is just speculation on my part. Whatever you decide to buy, have fun with it (given that fun, to quote Dudly Moore in the guise of Arthur, is the best thing that one can possibly have ). Jothiratnam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 26, 2007 Share #10 Posted September 26, 2007 I think that almost no one has decided to buy an M8 for strictly practical or professionally-driven reasons ("I NEED a 10 Mpixel RF ! What is there in the market ? ...Oh, this M8 only ? Ok, let's buy it" ) So is always (in a certain part..say 20% to 100%) a sentiment-driven buy... and so, about the finishing, let your sentiment prevail on the few and questionable practical differences between black and chrome... For me, I never considered the idea to buy my M8 in black... others cannot consider to use a silver... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndjambrose Posted September 26, 2007 Share #11 Posted September 26, 2007 Makes no difference at all. Just get what you prefer. I have 3 M's, each of them black. I really don't like the chrome ones at all, and I especially don't like chrome lenses. And I'm sure there's plenty of people who might say the same thing in reverse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted September 26, 2007 Share #12 Posted September 26, 2007 It doesn't matter in the end, but although I wanted black (I thought it looked nicer), I ended up with chrome, because it came in much quicker. I ended up loving it, loving the feel of the chromed metal, and the quality of the finish. I also get these "old camera" comments, and mostly, people just don't pay attention to the camera, since it is small and looks old. The only times I have had anyone object to my camera it was not because of looks, but sound. If I bought a second camera, it would be black, but if I could have only one, it would be chrome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted September 26, 2007 Share #13 Posted September 26, 2007 The choice for me was rather simple, on viewing both black and silver in the shop, the black showed small scratches on the black finish obviously where it had been handled by people wearing rings. The choice from that point on was rather one sided seeing as the cameras had only arrived into the store that day. Silver seems to ware better or hides a multitude of fine scratches from the eye. I have mine since November last and as far as I'm concerned it's as good as the day it came out of the box. Having not viewed a black one until recently in a dealers window and having become used to the look of my own silver M8 I know I made the correct choice for my personal taste. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedi996sps Posted September 26, 2007 Share #14 Posted September 26, 2007 She always looks nicer in a black dress :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted September 26, 2007 Share #15 Posted September 26, 2007 She always looks nicer in a black dress :-) Or even better striped down to satin gray lingerie, Oh do behave Eoin! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedi996sps Posted September 26, 2007 Share #16 Posted September 26, 2007 Or even better striped down to satin gray lingerie, Oh do behave Eoin! Go and make yrself a good strong cup of tea !!...lol... But seriously... as discovered by women...anything dressed in black makes it look smaller and slinkier, which is what i particularly wanted, and with black electricians tape over the 'red dot' makes it a very unobtrusive travel camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 26, 2007 Share #17 Posted September 26, 2007 The choice for me was rather simple, on viewing both black and silver in the shop, the black showed small scratches on the black finish obviously where it had been handled by people wearing rings. The choice from that point on was rather one sided seeing as the cameras had only arrived into the store that day. Silver seems to ware better or hides a multitude of fine scratches from the eye. I have mine since November last and as far as I'm concerned it's as good as the day it came out of the box. I can assure you chrome can scratch and scuff quite "professionally" as well.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted September 26, 2007 Share #18 Posted September 26, 2007 Quite true of even the M4 and earlier bodies, which had much heavier plating than the M4-2 (there were rare ones in silver) through MP, which in turn have heavier plating than the M8 (though we are speaking in microns of difference). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdarter Posted September 26, 2007 Share #19 Posted September 26, 2007 I honestly can't believe that this subject is being discussed seriously! Black or silver??, it's a camera for gawds sake, and it will take pictures no matter what the colour!! OK, if you want it to look less significant, get black, but surely that should be the only issue?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted September 26, 2007 Share #20 Posted September 26, 2007 Well it is 5k out of your pocket and just like a car you want to get the color that appeals to you as long as it is black or chrome. Hey some folks put new skins on there bodies at least this is not a Pink leather or zebra strip skin conversation. LOL I liked that line someone said you can get any Ferrari you want as long as it is red. LOL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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