carstenw Posted November 7, 2006 Author Share #41  Posted November 7, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) In the old days all lenses had brass bodies (except cheap Russian models) . As the finish wore off (which is difficult if plated, not painted) a nice brass patina would be revealed. These days almost all lenses have aluminum bodies. That's why almost all modern lenses look like shit once the plating/paint is damaged. But they are a lot lighter  Right, the guy in the store was showing me a cut-through lens, and explaning that the outer layers of the chromed lenses were not aluminium any more, but brass, which explains the extra weight. I guess you can't chrome aluminium. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 Hi carstenw, Take a look here M Chrome vs. Black - Experience sought. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
B&W Posted November 7, 2006 Share #42  Posted November 7, 2006 Thank you, Carsten  Nice mousepad.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quorrell Posted November 7, 2006 Share #43 Â Posted November 7, 2006 Whilst I cannot comment on the M8 as mine hasn't arrived as yet. I can comment on the M7 I have a Silver and Black Chrome versions both with M motorwinds. Primarily I bought the black one I then bought the silver one to differentiate between types of film I use. It may seem an odd reason to some, but in the heat of the moment I know instantly which camera to use. Having said this I've ordered a Black M8. I haven't noticed any difference in peoples perceptions as to which camera I use. They are both fairly discreet. As for wear and tear they have both worn at the edges. Possibly the black one more than the Silver but that could be due to the fact that it's older by a couple of months. In the end I think it comes down to personal preference. To me these are tools of my trade, not something that has to look pretty. Happy shooting Q. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted November 7, 2006 Share #44 Â Posted November 7, 2006 The issue of black vs chrome is a lot deeper.. you gotta be kidding, where's the bloody couch........Freud's mob help me I see life in black and chrome what happened to white my curtains keep fading in the sun.......... Â Â ... black chrome keeps on rolling on and on and on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted November 7, 2006 Share #45  Posted November 7, 2006 People will notice you first because of your behaviour long before they notice what colour your camera is. Once you have been noticed, the colour of your camera will make NO diffence to your picture! It will still look like this!  Cheers, Erl   Erl, What happened in this shot regarding the 'alternative' color?....or maybe I shouldn't ask.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted November 7, 2006 Share #46 Â Posted November 7, 2006 Â Pascal, I think that you are right: how I behave is much more important. My feeling is that hanging around a neck over a black t-shirt, the black one is more stealthy. . Â You could always wear a silver t-shirt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frc Posted November 7, 2006 Share #47 Â Posted November 7, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Silver lasts, pity, no brassing. Black wears, pity, low resale. Â Â ? Â Â Matter of personal taste, which one gives you confidence while facing the world. Â Â Always look on the bright side, -that's the viewer side-. Â Â On bodies it may well be a matter of taste, on lenses to me the bigger difference is the material. Â Silver or black paint are both Brass, it's not only heavier but also more sturdy an it runs differently from aluminum. ( more to my taste ) Black anodised are aluminum. If you carry a bag full it may well make you decide otherwise, and with reason. Besides, on sturdiness, everything that goes up 30.000 feet up is made of aluminum, all terrain bikes are etc., so it is only a relative matter. Â But there are more things that differ than colour alone. Â Â All together combining black and silver lenses and bodies vice versa is fun. Â Â Have fun, Â Â Fr. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigrmurray Posted November 7, 2006 Share #48 Â Posted November 7, 2006 Carsten: When I shot news back in the '80s, I shot both chrome and black Leica rangefinders, as well as Leicaflexes, R cameras, and occasionally a TLR. The Rolleiflex probably attracted the most attention because of having to shoot with the waist-level finder, and certainly looked the quaintest. Â SLRs, esp. the newer ones like my Canon 5D with the "normal" 24-70mm zoom (all of these Canon lenses seem huge!) attract much more attention from subjects/strangers, than do rangefinders. Â Twenty to twenty-five years ago, most amateur cameras were chrome-finished, while pro cameras were black, causing me to think, then, that chrome cameras were less obvious to most people. However, black finish became 'de rigeur' in the late '80s and '90s, so perhaps that changed the "pro camera" impression in the popular mind. Â During the 2000s, the all-silver camera has become popular, so who knows? I think if one really wanted to be invisible, he would choose a cell phone camera for street photography -- if only they made one with 10 Meg capture. Â BTW, I've read that HCB covered his Leicas with black tape -- I'm guessing electrical tape, 'cause I don't think they had black "canard" tape back then. Â When I go waterfowl hunting, I always wear camo -- but I always wonder if the ducks can really tell the difference between "Skyline Fall Flight" and "Mossy Oak" Perhaps Leica should put out a "Caucasian" finish, so when I hold the camera up to my face to shoot, the camera would disappear. That might be the ultimate urban-camo finish. Might not work after a day at the beach, though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted January 24, 2007 Author Share #49  Posted January 24, 2007 To come back to this, I have a chrome M8 and several black lenses, and plan to keep buying black lenses. I find that the chrome lenses on chrome cameras look a little anally retentive. I would concede an exception, however (apart from those looking for longevity or brassing): lenses of older style. I ended up getting a great deal on eBay for a Voigtländer 15mm f/4.5 lens, and it was chrome. Given the retro styling, I enjoy this lens in chrome, and I think I might like my 35/2 Asph in chrome as well, although it is black (which is fine). However, with the 50 Lux Asph, the lens just looks very modern, and chrome doesn't suit it, IMO.  Anyway, they take equally nice pictures, so this is clearly a discussion for late nights.  I love the camera and the lenses, I must say. The whole kit is compact and feels so great. I am so happy I made this move. It wasn't clear that I would be happy with the switch at the time I made it, or even for some time thereafter. I switched from a Canon 5D and several R lenses. The 80 Lux was my favorite, and I won't be trying (initially) to replace it with the somewhat clumsy 75 Lux, but will get the 75 Cron Asph instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveEP Posted January 24, 2007 Share #50 Â Posted January 24, 2007 First I wanted Chrome, then with all the chatter I changed my order for black, but a Chrome one came up first (thanks to another kind member here), and I bought that one. Â I have never for one minute regretted the Chrome. No one really notices me, and if they do they just think it's an old man's camera and I am really no threat to them.... exactly the reaction I wanted - especially coming from a 1Ds2+24-70L ! Â I have 4 black lenses, and don't see a problem with that - I will keep buying black lenses (there are of course more on my wish list!). I don't care for the chrome lenses really, or the extra weight...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 24, 2007 Share #51  Posted January 24, 2007 Hello All, I'm new to the forum and was wondering those who have the silver crome, what lens colors do you have....silver or black? Silver bodies-Silver 21-black 24-silver 35'ves-silver 50'ies-black 75 - black 90-black 135-black TE. Who cares? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted January 24, 2007 Share #52  Posted January 24, 2007 I find that the chrome lenses on chrome cameras look a little anally retentive.  Rather a disparaging comment to make. Between that and white jeans and white T-shirt are you trying to say something about my manhood!!! 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/8592-m-chrome-vs-black-experience-sought/?do=findComment&comment=152000'>More sharing options...
rvaubel Posted January 24, 2007 Share #53 Â Posted January 24, 2007 Silver bodies-Silver 21-black 24-silver 35'ves-silver 50'ies-black 75 - black 90-black 135-black TE. Who cares? Â I find it advantageous to have my Leica look like and "old man's camera". Nothing beats having a chrome camera with a collapsable chrome lens in a brown leather half case to give the impression that the photographer is totally non threatening. It doesn't hurt to actually BE an old man (well 61 anyway). I certainly am more incognito than I would be with my DSLR and that 24-70mm F2.8 howitzer staring my victims in the face. Â When I am using my DSLR my wifes comment is "It looks like your from the CIA" Â Rex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 24, 2007 Share #54  Posted January 24, 2007 Well for the ultimate stealth camera you could have your M8 painted in a colour to match your skin tone, then it will just blend into your face A la carte maybe?  Seriously though, I have chrome and black cameras and I don't think the colour has ever made me more/less noticeable. Maybe my black Minox ML is the most discreet, but then thats more to do with the size of the thing.  For street photography, my lllf is excellent. It draws attention only out of curiosity and I've never had anyone object to it. A Rolleiflex is also a good street camera, as you're looking down into the viewfinder and not staring/pointing at your subject they rarely notice. Some don't even recognise it as a camera!  I like the look of the chrome M8. The average punter will assume you're using some old film camera.  lllf in chrome & 25mm lens 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/8592-m-chrome-vs-black-experience-sought/?do=findComment&comment=152021'>More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 25, 2007 Share #55 Â Posted January 25, 2007 Chrome IIIa and M3 and lenses; black M6 and lenses. Black lenses re a lot lighter! That makes a real difference. Can't stand silver-painted plastic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gesper Posted January 25, 2007 Share #56 Â Posted January 25, 2007 If it is that hard to decide, just take the first one you can get your hands on regardless of color. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted January 25, 2007 Author Share #57 Â Posted January 25, 2007 Rather a disparaging comment to make. Between that and white jeans and white T-shirt are you trying to say something about my manhood!!! Â Hehe, I am sure your manhood is okay. I don't think anything when I see (or hear) of other people's choices, that is just my judgement of my own decision. I am happy that we all have different preferences. Even a black camera with chrome lenses looks okay in the pictures I have seen. Mostly, I just find that lenses which are clearly a modern design look a bit odd in chrome. Really, I am enlarging differences here to be able to make a decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venkman Posted January 25, 2007 Share #58  Posted January 25, 2007 the red elephant in the room. Not my photo, but a crop of one I saved from the web to remind myself. Not sure if silver or black will matter much when following this.  Yes Steven, you will be noticed if you do your shot from 20° above or below your object of interest...it really sucks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
egibaud Posted January 25, 2007 Share #59 Â Posted January 25, 2007 for stealth I recommend plastic revamping with Casio logo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted January 25, 2007 Share #60 Â Posted January 25, 2007 According to the fashion gurus black is out. I prefer chrome because it wears much better but I think black is less obtrusive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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