M Chrome vs. Black - Experience sought

[carstenw]

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While I find the chrome version of the M8 to be more beautiful, and therefore so far have planned to buy this version, I do intend to use it at least partially for "street photography", and therefore the anonymity of the camera is important to me, possibly enough to sway me from chrome to black. Clearly, a black M against dark clothing is less conspicuous, I just wonder how large the difference is.

 

I would like to hear actual experiences of photographers who have used both, and have in some way or another felt a difference in reactions from people, or alternatively, those who have used both and have found no difference in reactions. (I am significantly less interested in comments from people who have not used both, but have opinions anyway... Please indicate if you have used both.)

 

Btw, didn't Henri Cartier-Bresson use a chrome M? That alone would probably convince me to stick with my choice. If he can get away with it, I could, at least in theory, also get away with it.

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[Guest xxl-user]

carsten,

 

for stealth use black is best and of course it´s very sexy, but silver chrome is more durable.

 

so i think best would be to buy black and silver chrome

 

arnold

[topoxforddoc]

Carsten,

 

I have silver M6 and a black chrome CLE. I prefer the silver as it is better wearing. Black paint would be my preference, butr not black chrome. Anyway, I hear that there's very little wait for silver M8s.

 

Best wishes,

 

Charlie

[adan]

I could have gotten my M8 14 days earlier if I'd not specified "black" - and personally I might have preferred "chrome and fast" to "black and later".

 

I've shot with both (most black, but a chrome M4 for a while) and really didn't experience a lot of difference in terms of notice-ability - no one pointed and screamed and yelled "OH, a chrome camera!!".

 

But it's easier to find black tape that matches the camera than it is to find chrome tape that matches the camera - when it comes to covering the red dot.

 

8^)

[B&W]

 

but silver chrome is more durable.

 

 

arnold

 

How come, xxl-user?

 

 

Carstenw, I have not used black or chrome M. But I have used Digilux 2 and Epson R-D1 for street photography. And I believe it will be close to black vs. chrome M difference on the street. My experience is that there is not significant difference in matter of anonymity.

[scott kirkpatrick]

Btw, didn't Henri Cartier-Bresson use a chrome M? That alone would probably convince me to stick with my choice. If he can get away with it, I could, at least in theory, also get away with it.

 

I've read descriptions of his balletic shooting style (e.g. by joel meyerowitz), and if he could whirl and dance through a crowd, finding the right point of view, without attracting unwanted attention, the difference between chrome and black couldn't have mattered.

 

scott

[carstenw]

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Thanks to everyone for their feedback so far. I find it very interesting that although I have heard in many places (Michael Reichmann for one) that black is more anonymous, which makes sense, no one here feels that it makes a significant difference. I will go with my heart and get the chrome version then. I just hope my dealer has one for me.

[stunsworth]

Carsten, if you're using a small camera it's far more likely to be the photographer that attracts attention than the type of camera. I personally prefer a black M, but I've never felt I've received a different reaction when I've been using a chrome M2 or M3.

[johnastovall]

I've read descriptions of his balletic shooting style (e.g. by joel meyerowitz), and if he could whirl and dance through a crowd, finding the right point of view, without attracting unwanted attention, the difference between chrome and black couldn't have mattered.

 

scott

 

Garry Winogrand also used a chrome Leica for his in your face style. Here's his last Lecia.

[Overgaard]

Chrome is just more charming I think. And original. Stick with that.

 

The comment I hear the most on my chrome M4 is "is there any particular reason you use such an old camera?"

 

As for charm, chrome Digilux 2, M4 or whatever just seem to bring back the smiles on people faces. Also pro photographers instantly recognize a chrome Leica and comment on it. But not on a black one.

[richam]

One other consideration. If you're spending a lot of time in the sunshine during hot weather, black can get hot enough to be uncomfortable to handle.

[enboe]

I have the blessing of owning a black chrome M7, a silver MP, and a D2X. Generally:

 

1) People notice, react, and sometimes take offense at the D2X

2) People acknowledge and then ignore the M7

3) People come up and ask about the "vintage camera", that is the MP. It's the best ice-breaker of the bunch.

 

So, I will be persuing a chrome M8 as my next toy.

 

Eric

[petermcwerner]

One other consideration. If you're spending a lot of time in the sunshine during hot weather, black can get hot enough to be uncomfortable to handle.

 

I can only confirm this. And I wonder if it may not affect the electronics in the long run.

[Guest stnami]

do intend to use it at least partially for "street photography", and therefore the anonymity of the camera is important to me

.... a myth.... anonymity is not in the streets

for stealth use black is best

should read sneaky

 

... you get richer blacks in your black and white images with a black camera

[carstenw]

"richer blacks [...] with a black camera"

 

Maybe I should be shooting virtual slides with a chrome camera then

[scott kirkpatrick]

Garry Winogrand also used a chrome Leica for his in your face style. Here's his last Lecia.

 

He also used a black M4 at some point. I believe I saw a picture of one of his in an article by Ben Lifson. Same wear pattern.

 

scott

[frc]

Carsten,

 

 

Since you weren't interrested in reactions by people who didn't use both black and silver, I only use silver, I feel even more invited to react.

Most of my shooting is documentary type, amongst people so to say. The last thing I'd want is to attract attention from people.

The appearence of my chrome MP is of such a friendly nature, reactions, if any, have always been like, what a nice oldfashion camera.

No one feels offended by the charming little thing. If a black one would initialy be more unconspicious, I personaly find them to have a more intimidating appeal. ( 2 cents ? ) Who tells.

Never has there been a situation where I would gave whished to have a black camera with me. Someone having a black camera may just as well say the opposite, with equall conviction.

BTW, black paint looks even more luxurious than silver, but brasses easier. It seems to be available on the M8 as an a la carte option.

 

 

Best.

 

 

Fr.

[pascal_meheut]

Ive used both for years: 2 M6, black & chrome and 2 M7, black & chrome too. I also have the impression that the black one is stealthier but this is just the photographer feeling. For street photography, people won't make a difference between the 2 colors. Your behavior is much more important.

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[carstenw]

Fr., thanks for your answer anyway. I think I maybe overstated it a bit, but I was trying to avoid having a thread full of people with opinions, none of whom had actually tried both. I guess I still have habits from other forums. Sorry about that. I do think you are right about black looking more modern, and hence potentially more imposing, once noticed.

 

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. However, once it is put to the eye, they ought to be equal. Shooting from the hip might be better with a black one...

[pascal_meheut]

I have the same impression but nowadays, most of the digicams are chrome. So people do not notice a Silver M.

During the Paris Leica One Challenge, I shot people in the streets with a silver M7 and a 35mm and nobody noticed me. Here is an example.

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