drralph Posted October 27, 2006 Share #1 Posted October 27, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Do you prefer the black body or the chrome plated body in the M series? I am considering investing in an M8, and am on the fence regarding the finish. Does anyone know how many M's Leica sells in each finish, as a measure of popularity? The black is very clean, and has a techno feel, but the chrome has an old school aura that seems to really fit the concept of the camera. And the lenses definitely look hotter in chrome! Like my rosewood Wistafield 4x5, most uninitiated would assume a chrome M8 was made in the 1950's. Opinions and data welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 27, 2006 Posted October 27, 2006 Hi drralph, Take a look here Chrome vs. Black?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Olof Posted October 27, 2006 Share #2 Posted October 27, 2006 At the moment Leica produces more black than silver chromed M8. My dealer told me that 2/3 of the M8 are produces in black and the rest in silver chrome. (Over all they produce abot 50 M8 / day). Years ago the meaning was that the silver chrome finnish would provide the film to become to hot, by reflecting the sun. The silver chrome ist the classical Leica finish, but personal I think for the M8 the black bodys looks better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted October 27, 2006 Share #3 Posted October 27, 2006 Black with black lenses. - C Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted October 27, 2006 Share #4 Posted October 27, 2006 The black is very clean, and has a techno feel, but the chrome has an old school aura that seems to really fit the concept of the camera. And the lenses definitely look hotter in chrome! But...the answer is so obvious! One of each!! Thanks. Allan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r_smith Posted October 27, 2006 Share #5 Posted October 27, 2006 Well - I always find black cameras, lenses (and Hi-Fi) to be depressing and gloomy. In contrast to many, the last thing I want is for the finish to wear off and show the underlying metal through the paint, either. I like my cameras to look pretty, and pristine. So if I were to purchase an M8, it would have to be a silver one. How nice of Leica to offer us the choice:) John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted October 27, 2006 Share #6 Posted October 27, 2006 Personal choice, but I hope to acquire an M8 in chrome: 1. Chrome reflects more heat away from the camera body, resulting in a lower sensor temperature, and hence less noise. 2. Chrome wears much better than black chrome or black paint. 3. Chrome does get noticed more, but in a positive way. People often ask about that old camera, my MP. 4. The wait lists are 1/10th what they are for Black - wait, did I say that? Darned, now everyone will want chrome. 5. I already have an SF-24 in chrome (titanium) finish. Enjoy! Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 27, 2006 Share #7 Posted October 27, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Whilst I'm sure this thread will attract a fair number of "serious" responses, surely what we think matters not one jot or iota? It's your choice, your camera. Which is more popular is hardly a good basis for a decision unless you are only buying to sell on. Unless you have a specific reason for a particular finish (durability, stealth, etc) It. Does. Not. Matter. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r_smith Posted October 27, 2006 Share #8 Posted October 27, 2006 Bill of course you are right. However, I was just helping to pass the time for all those here who apparently have lost the will to live (or even take photographs) because they have the money in the bank, have placed their order, but can't actually GET their hands on that sweet object of desire, the Leica M8. Poor dears. What makes things even worse for them is that there are those other favoured people, like Sean, who actually DO have an M8 and can use it, write about it, take it to bed and polish it, and the outcasts on the waiting lists can only gnash their teeth, wail, and endlessly speculate about bit-depth and other wonderfully interesting things. It's going to be like Morgan cars soon, where folks actually start selling their position on the waiting list to each other. None of this, however, is doing Leica any harm as far as I can see. By the time anyone actually gets one of these cameras the Forum server will probably have melted under the strain John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted October 27, 2006 Share #9 Posted October 27, 2006 Whilst I'm sure this thread will attract a fair number of "serious" responses.... Regards, Bill Actually, I was the one being flip here! Seriously, I think the weight advantage of the black body and lenses, the "stealth factor" and the black-bar-of-gold good looks of the non-chrome model are substantial reasons for the market's preference in this regard. I'm totally enamored of my M and wouldn't want to trade anyone at this point. Thanks. Allan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 27, 2006 Share #10 Posted October 27, 2006 Actually, I was the one being flip here! Actually, Allan I took you at your word and am having one of each. I think the black disguises the extra thickness better than the silver, the big expanse of top plate is more noticeable on the silver camera. I've never gone for silver lenses - the range is dwindling anyway - and the silver camera and black lenses will be similar to the Digilux 2 to look at, where the black camera will look like my M6/R-D1, though hopefully the finish will wear better than the R-D1. I don't subscribe to the shabby-chic brassing thing... I know there's no a la carte yet but if you were to have a coloured leather, I think the silver cameras wear it better. I saw somebody proudly showing off their black MP at Photokina with red leather, looked a mess, IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
canlogic Posted October 27, 2006 Share #11 Posted October 27, 2006 I have decided that the best color will be whichever first becomes available to me for purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvaubel Posted October 27, 2006 Share #12 Posted October 27, 2006 I have decided that the best color will be whichever first becomes available to me for purchase. Same here. There is no doubt that the chrome wears better. But on the other hand, the b;ack looks kind of cool when it wears down to the brass. And the new M8 does have brass top and bottom plates. The idea of keeping my M8 pristine doesn't even occur to me. Any camera I use on a daily basis gets worn, but thats OK. Rex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipotto Posted October 27, 2006 Share #13 Posted October 27, 2006 I think they both look swell. Lucky, as I plan to purchase the M8 second hand, I will get whichever one is available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesh Posted October 27, 2006 Share #14 Posted October 27, 2006 Bill of course you are right. However, I was just helping to pass the time for all those here who apparently have lost the will to live (or even take photographs) because they have the money in the bank, have placed their order, but can't actually GET their hands on that sweet object of desire, the Leica M8. Poor dears. What makes things even worse for them is that there are those other favoured people, like Sean, who actually DO have an M8 and can use it, write about it, take it to bed and polish it, and the outcasts on the waiting lists can only gnash their teeth, wail, and endlessly speculate about bit-depth and other wonderfully interesting things. It's going to be like Morgan cars soon, where folks actually start selling their position on the waiting list to each other. None of this, however, is doing Leica any harm as far as I can see. By the time anyone actually gets one of these cameras the Forum server will probably have melted under the strain John Spot on, John - you've captured the essence of the drool factor which is particularly prevalent at this moment. You may have unearthed a solution for those of us unable to make an outright purchase. The prospect of a taking a long position in forward M8's could be the next best thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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