Jump to content

Lenses: Silver Vs Balck finish


piero

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 60
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

Brass is easier to machine to tight tolerances than aluminium alloy. Aluminium alloys tend to be slightly "sticky" to machine in comparison to brass, which is possibly the easiest to machine of all common alloys. An additional factor is that brass does not heat up to the same extent as aluminium alloy when being machined. I am guessing that the end result of this is that there may be less variation in the brass bodies used for chrome lenses than the alloy bodies used for the anodised black ones (black painted lenses may use brass bodies).

 

If you search back through threads of about 18 months ago on the problems of back focus and focus shift on the 35 ASPH Summilux, I think you will find that the majority of complaints are on black lenses. A considerable number of owners of chrome versions of the same lens, including me, said how satisfied they were with the lens. When I spoke to someone at Solms earlier this year, they did say how difficult it was to get this particular lens 100% right. It might just be that the tiny tolerances involved, favour chrome/brass rather than anodised alloy for this lens. Reading the posts on this lens, made my mind up to go for the heavier chrome 35 Lux. I have not regretted that decision.

 

Wilson

Link to post
Share on other sites

out of the box.

not a small difference I have noticed, in terms of sharpness.

I was wondering if the assembly is done by different people.

 

Could just be the difference between any two or three examples. Yours just happened to be one chrome, two black.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Brass is easier to machine to tight tolerances than aluminium alloy. Aluminium alloys tend to be slightly "sticky" to machine in comparison to brass, which is possibly the easiest to machine of all common alloys. An additional factor is that brass does not heat up to the same extent as aluminium alloy when being machined. I am guessing that the end result of this is that there may be less variation in the brass bodies used for chrome lenses than the alloy bodies used for the anodised black ones (black painted lenses may use brass bodies).

 

If you search back through threads of about 18 months ago on the problems of back focus and focus shift on the 35 ASPH Summilux, I think you will find that the majority of complaints are on black lenses. A considerable number of owners of chrome versions of the same lens, including me, said how satisfied they were with the lens. When I spoke to someone at Solms earlier this year, they did say how difficult it was to get this particular lens 100% right. It might just be that the tiny tolerances involved, favour chrome/brass rather than anodised alloy for this lens. Reading the posts on this lens, made my mind up to go for the heavier chrome 35 Lux. I have not regretted that decision.

 

Wilson

 

This has been my thought too... even if the "glass pack" is the same, the machining of a brass mount is safer - leading to a more constant assembly.

Besides this... I simply like chromes a lot more ...:p

Link to post
Share on other sites

Brass can be chromed in black, like the black top cover of the original M8 ?
Yes, brass can be chromed black.

 

Like it is on this SBLOO viewer

 

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

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...