M Chrome vs. Black - Experience sought

[Guest stnami]

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....; well she sorta is in her own world there,probably would have ignored a Westminster plate camera as well. Nice shot though

[tom0511]

I onl yhave experience with black M6 abd rd1 and allways thought that if there was any difference the chrome might be more obvious because it looks kind of special.

 

Thats why I ordered black. Also I have all my lenses in black. How would black lenses look like on a chrome body? Probably fine but maybe not that great?

 

Another thing is that a chrome M8 maybe looks more Leica-like and more expensive? I mean any statistics about stolen M-cameras chrome vs black?

[carstenw]

Hello Tom, so you are here too! I doubt that the average person in the world has any idea that Leica even exists, and it is quite possible that to them chrome just looks old, or maybe like any other P&S. I guess there is no way of knowing that.

[M'Ate]

Is it that important ? A test - if you had two Leica M8's, would you choose the same finish for both, or different colours.

 

I have a silver chrome M3 and a black paint MP and the colour difference immediately identiies films/lenses etc on the raing of the bag lid. That seems to be a more objective reason for the colour choice.

 

However, if there was a black paint M8, I'd definitely go for that in preference to silver chrome.

[lars_bergquist]

Clearly, a black M against dark clothing is less conspicuous, I just wonder how large the difference is.

 

Hi -- in my younger days I used to do a lot of street photography with silver chrome SLR cameras! In my experience the important thing is not what your camera looks like (as long as it does not set off fireworks) but your own behavior. Just as with hunting, or for that matter, sniping. If you insist on going into attack position and screaming 'HAI!' not even a black C-Lux will help you. I have been able to sneak right up to people and getting my shot of with a chrome Olympus OM and a 21 mm lens, without anyone noticing a thing. So just practice looking innocuous. Remember that YOU take up lots more of the field of view that your camera does. The lack of a screaming motor drive will certainly be a great help.

 

The old fart from the Age of Flashpowder

[StevePerez]

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?

[ho_co]

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I shot people in the streets with a silver M7 and a 35mm and nobody noticed me. Here is an example.

Pascal--

I think she was concentrating on walking down the cement line between the stones. If she had lost concentration she might have fallen in and drowned!

 

--HC

[pascal_meheut]

Yes but this is what would have happened if I had used a SLR: she would have lost her concentration because of this huge mechanical noise and I would have been responsible for her death.

Buy a Leica M, save a life. What a slogan...

[ho_co]

Yes but this is what would have happened if I had used a SLR: she would have lost her concentration because of this huge mechanical noise and I would have been responsible for her death.

Buy a Leica M, save a life. What a slogan...

<g> You should be in marketing!

 

And if she had seen me streaking by, she'd have *wanted* to go!

 

--HC

[robert_parker]

Look on the bright side - you could get a silver one and then paint it black if you don't like it...or maybe the other way round...

 

Seroiusly it's the photographer's expression and manner that make the difference, not the camera - there could be an equation that the smaller the camera, the more of your face they can see, which helps (though with the DMR you could always club them if they got difficult....)

[ho_co]

I'm new to the forum and was wondering those who have the silver crome, what lens colors do you have....silver or black?

Steve--

Welcome aboard. I don't have an M8, but I do have an earlier silver chrome camera.

 

My lenses are all black. The silver lenses in the past were heavier and more expensive (I don't know if that's the same now). Others might quibble, but I think the black lenses look good on the silver bodies. Maybe not quite as sexy as the silver lenses, but they look fine.

 

--HC

[StevePerez]

Thanks HC,

 

I'm considering purchasing a 35MM F/1.4 SUMMILUX ASPH, but not sure if I should get the silver or the black. I know Leica is no longer selling the silver, which may make it worth more in the future.

[carstenw]

My lenses are all black. The silver lenses in the past were heavier and more expensive (I don't know if that's the same now). Others might quibble, but I think the black lenses look good on the silver bodies. Maybe not quite as sexy as the silver lenses, but they look fine.

 

I finally bought the chrome M8 with a black 50/1.4 Asph, and it is perfect. They also had the chrome 50, so I tried it, but I find that I have the same reaction to it as I have with people who match the colour of their t-shirt and pants. I prefer a white t-shirt with blue jeans The chrome version costs the same, but weighs noticeably more. I don't know if this holds for other lenses too.

[B&W]

I finally bought the chrome M8 with a black 50/1.4 Asph, and it is perfect. They also had the chrome 50, so I tried it, but I find that I have the same reaction to it as I have with people who match the colour of their t-shirt and pants. I prefer a white t-shirt with blue jeans The chrome version costs the same, but weighs noticeably more. I don't know if this holds for other lenses too.

 

 

Could you post some pictures of that combination, please…… :)

 

I have to decide black vs chrome before my dealer phones me when the M8 arrives

[erl]

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

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!

[carstenw]

Could you post some pictures of that combination, please…… :)

 

I have to decide black vs chrome before my dealer phones me when the M8 arrives

 

Here is a quick shot (with 5D/80 Lux). Note the mousepad

 

[rvaubel]

Thanks HC,

 

I'm considering purchasing a 35MM F/1.4 SUMMILUX ASPH, but not sure if I should get the silver or the black. I know Leica is no longer selling the silver, which may make it worth more in the future.

 

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

 

The whole issue of black vs chrome is a lot deeper than just aestnetics. One good thing is the M8 has brass top and bottom plates. At least you will see brass peeking thru when the plating is worn off.

 

Rex

 

Rex

[grober]

Your chances of actually getting one is improved if you stick with silver.

 

(I ordered black.)

 

-g

[leicapfile]

Steve,

 

All my M lenses are silver (or 'brushed chrome' as they were called in the old days), as are my Ms.

 

Asthetically I like the 'look' of the silver/silver combination, and on the practical side there are a couple of points to consider. First, silver is definately more durable, which my heirs will appreciate after they barbarcue me.

 

Secondly, and more practical to me is I like their increased weight over black. Think that increase helps me to hold steadier when shooting. Something I appreciate more each day as I cross over to 64 years of age. But then again I don't carry a bag with seven lenses in it all day!

 

Black v Silver has to be the second most often posed question in the world. Closely following "Will you still respect me in the Morning?"

 

Best,

 

Jerry

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[petermcwerner]

SClosely following "Will you still respect me in the Morning?"

 

Is it still being asked? I thought it had stopped with the first half of the past century...

 

Best,

Peter