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Chrome lenses on black bodies


JLV

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I have a strong preference for chrome lenses versus the aluminium mounts regardless of body colour. My preference is based upon the durability of the chrome finish and the stability of the lens in the brass mount. A black painted brass lens would be interesting.

 

Can't always find what I need so I have to take black on occasion.

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I wonder of the camera body/lens color fashionistas also match their leathers on their clothes - ie leather of belt matches shoes matches watch band, etc. I personally think the whole matching ensemble thing is rather silly.

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Do you care or not?

 

How many of you use different cosmetic lenses on their bodies.

 

I have a black M8 and am very tempted over a chrome cron 50.

Are chrome lenses of better quality? (not the glass of course)

 

Thanks for your inputs.

 

Jean-Luc

I have a black M6 and a chrome M6 and chrome lenses. It's about the glass not what the camera or lens body is spray painted. I think chrome lenses are heavier but only marginally.
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I had to use a black Elmarit on my chrome M3; no choice. But I think black looks better on a chrome body than vice versa. So far as I know neither chrome nor black mounts affect optical performance. In the final analysis, it is a personal choice; after all, it is results that matter.

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Anything goes these days. Personally, I prefer chrome on chrome or black on black. If that's impossible, black lenses in my view look better on chrome bodies than vice versa, but who am I. In the end, it IS a matter of personal preference and won't influence the outcome anyway.

 

Andy

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I have a black M6 and a chrome M6 and chrome lenses. It's about the glass not what the camera or lens body is spray painted. I think chrome lenses are heavier but only marginally.

 

The glass is the same. The lens body is either brass or aluminium and the brass is substantially heavier, not marginally (obviously you have an opinion based on zero experience).

 

The black on aluminium wears with heavy use to reveal bright spots of dull grey aluminium. A really heavily used aluminium lens can look a real mess in a couple of years.

 

Chrome finish on brass is durable. The brass is also said to more thermally stable than the aluminium, but I suspect that will never affect the North of England.

 

I prefer chrome lenses, not because of the appearance, but because of the durability of finish.

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Leica decorum indicates black lenses on black or chrome bodies. It is not aesthetically acceptable to put chrome lenses on black bodies if you accept the Leica advertising ideals. Those who say they don't care just don't understand. This is a zero tolerance issue...lol

 

If you look at the title of Osterloh's Book about the M you find a black (!) M3 with a chrome dual-range Summicrone and a black M2 (or MP?) with a chrome Elmar (Osterloh was chief of Leica's PR when the book came out).

 

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I don't use the chrome Summicron with the black M6, but I think the M6 would tolerate it:

 

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A couple of weeks ago I tried a black 50 'Lux ASPH on my M3 - size and weight felt identical to my chrome 50 'Cron. One of the factors for me being reluctant to go for the 'Lux was a perceived increase in weight - not the case if I change finish!

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But doesn't the M3 look a bit bored with a black lens?

 

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Always loved the look of the chrome lenses. Goes well with the jewels they are.

 

Now that my M9 is black, chrome lenses on it reminds me of the Digilux 1 design which was 1950. And the comment I get the most is "wow, an old camera" which I guess is mainly because of the chrome lens look and the leather on the M9.

 

Does it matter?

 

Some years ago I dreamed of an office with tall windows, wooden floor and high ceiling. I had this vision of entering into that room. When I got it, it didn't matter more in the sense that what I anyways saw was the stuff on desk and not the room.

 

But dreaming of the ideal is what makes it fun, and that's the reason design, materials and colors matters. Not for the photo but for the dream of becoming able of taking it.

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The glass is the same. The lens body is either brass or aluminium and the brass is substantially heavier, not marginally (obviously you have an opinion based on zero experience).

 

The black on aluminium wears with heavy use to reveal bright spots of dull grey aluminium. A really heavily used aluminium lens can look a real mess in a couple of years.

 

Chrome finish on brass is durable. The brass is also said to more thermally stable than the aluminium, but I suspect that will never affect the North of England.

 

I prefer chrome lenses, not because of the appearance, but because of the durability of finish.

 

I was referring to lenses not camera bodies in compliance with the original posters request so don't get your knickers in a twist. My 35mm and 50mm lenses are both chrome and they appear somewhat heavier than the equivalent black ones I have handled

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" The glass is the same. The lens body is either brass or aluminium and the brass is substantially heavier, not marginally (obviously you have an opinion based on zero experience). "

 

 

 

" I was referring to lenses not camera bodies in compliance with the original posters request so don't get your knickers in a twist. My 35mm and 50mm lenses are both chrome and they appear somewhat heavier than the equivalent black ones I have handled" .............................. Rolo was refering to lenses !!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Love the chrome finish for:

1) Sentimental reasons. The 50's RF camera I inherited from my father and enjoyed for over 20 years was in chrome finish and so were the brass mounted lenses. Any chromed photo gear becomes a bridge to that and to my dad's memory.

2) Durability. Chrome finish is way more durable than whatever paint. The above camera is still in mint conditions.

2a) I suffer from heat and tend to have a bad perspiration in certain conditions. When I was younger I had a fountain pen whose body was black painted brass. The abrasive action of my fingers in intensive use combined with the acid sweat led me to bare the metal in several points and the pen looked exactly as worn black vintage Leicas do. I didn't like that very much.

 

Besides, if any lens I longed for were available only in black (75/2 just to name one) I wouldn't hesitate to couple it with a chrome camera, provided that I can afford it (the lens, the camera I already have).

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