What is the reason that the current black Leica M's are more popular than than chrome? Is there a real and noticable difference in the performance of candid photography?

-- Jack Belen (jbelen@aol.com), April 08, 2002

Answers

Answer to your first question: 1) It is easier to blockout the uncool red logo with a variety of black tapes available. 2)Perceived or real fact that black cameras draw less attention to themselves. 3)To emulate the pros 4)Fashion. Answer to your second question is somewhere in the answers for your first question.

-- sait (akkirman@clear.net.nz), April 08, 2002.

Who says black is more popular? Does Leica make/sell more black cameras than chrome?

The only real noticable difference in the performance in candid photography lies with the archer and not the bow.

Cheers,

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), April 08, 2002.

I just assume that Leica sells more black bodies because they are offering the chrome M7 in only one viewfinder choice. The black bodies are being sold in all 3 viewfinder options.

-- Jack Belen (jbelen@aol.com), April 08, 2002.

Good point. I guess black looks more"professional."

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), April 08, 2002.

The rationale behind the possible high sales volume for current black M bodies are:

1 - I believe Leica is and will focuses mainly on putting out black anodized lenses, which are lighter and therefore more "user friendly" in the field

2 - reflecting the above said. High performance lenses that are still in production are black. Namely 90AA, 28 cron, 135 telyt, 50 noct. Black bodies will definitely look better with those lenses on. Unless you like the classic "Panda" look.

3 - with the classic black paint Ms, people has an impression of black equals limited production equals value, like a MP which has only got 138 units total production in 1957. BUT, bare in mind, black paint is totally different than black anodized chrome. IF you are seeking for the "value", you should get the black paint M6TTL limited with M2/3 rewind lever. That you will have to also get the black paint lenses.

In my opinion, as a "chrome" user, I believe chrome bodies matches well with all lenses, black, chrome, black paint or even titanium. Besides, it is more scratch resistant. Anyway, the choice should always be made based on personal perference only. DO NOT listen to others, as black and chrome bodies are exactly the same in terms of specification.

Hope this helps..

-- Jeff Yiu (jeffyiu@quamnet.com), April 08, 2002.

My problem is that I want the .85 viewfinder and a chrome M7. Not currently made. Oh well..........

-- Jack Belen (jbelen@aol.com), April 08, 2002.

People who buy .85x or .58x bodies prefer black - by a large percentage - per our Leica rep. That's why the chrome M7 comes only in .72 - they just don't expect there to be enough demand for high/low mag finders in chrome.

Black may be slightly less obvious than chrome (it just plain reflects less light energy) - but chrome bodies' retro appearance makes them look even less like a serious camera - and more 'innocent' and cute.

I think the jury is still out on whether either is really a better stealth camera for people candids.

I use black because that's how M4-2/Ps come - except for a few rare collectors versions.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), April 08, 2002.

Although it seems like yesterday, ten years ago while traveling to Austria I stopped in a camera shop in Vienna where Leicas were sold. They told me that the chrome models were more popoular there and sold for the equivalent of $100 more than the black ones!

-- Dennis Buss (dbuss@rider.edu), April 08, 2002.

I like the black finish for the practical benefit of less glare and reflection in bright outside situations. Having the afternoon sun reflected back from lots of chrome can be annoying. This is especially bothersome (for me) in tropical locations. I had the same opinion when using the old chrome Hassy lenses. (But for some, this might be a non-issue)

-- Art Waldschmidt (afwaldschmidt@yahoo.com), April 09, 2002.

I prefer a chrome finish for my cameras. I do a lot of candid photography and the last thing I want to look like is some kind of threatening "pro" photographer. This is the same reason I don't wear a photo vest, or back-to-front baseball cap... ;?)

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), April 09, 2002.

As far as I'm concerned, chrome rules! The fact that black-finished cameras are more popular (I think it's true w/other brands, too) is yet another reason to go for chrome--why follow the herd? While I understand Art Waldschmidt's point that you get more glare w/the chrome finish, the benefit of that increased reflectivity is that the camera doesn't heat up as much in direct sunlight. You guys think chrome Leicas are shiny? Try a Zeiss Ikon Contax IIa or IIIa--now those are some shiny cameras!

-- Chris Chen (Wash., DC) (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), April 09, 2002.

I thought black looked better in the brochure until I saw them in person- chrome is it for me. Oh yah...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), April 09, 2002.

Yes Chris, You're right about the heat issue - with black. I try to keep my equipment out of direct sun (for any period of time) as much as possible. It would be nice to have it both ways!

-- Art Waldschmidt (afwaldschmidt@yahoo.com), April 09, 2002.

Chrome for smiles, IMHO :)

-- Thomas Lofqvist (thomas.lofqvist@brevlada.com), April 09, 2002.

It's a fashion thing like ties and lapel widths: chrome one decade, black the next, then retro chrome-look plastic on SLRs. Bright colours have never really caught on, though, 'cept for those luxo snakeskin jobs of the 30s. I read that a worn black zinc-topped M6 doesn't develop the same patina as the rarer, black brass-topped earlier Ms. Certainly my M3 and IIIa chrome bodies are in excellent condition; the titanium coatd Minilux wore badly.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), April 09, 2002.

I bought a chrome M6 because people seem to think it is a POS camera. My black M4-P attracted attention to me as if I was a 'pro'. Also chrome is much, much more durable, and best of all keeps its value better.

-- Tony Brookes (gdz00@lineone.net), April 09, 2002.

I have to go with the chrome -- Or, as Leica presently describes the finish, "SILVER!" It is smarter, probably wears better and the silver lenses are definitely are superior because they are produced from a more appropriate material - BRASS! If the lenses and camera were available in 18-8 Stainless Steel, that would be even BETTER!

-- Bill Carson (KE7GMx@cs.com), April 09, 2002.

Dang it, I want olive/safari colored Leicas... also purple haze too.

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), April 09, 2002.

Remember brass has a much high heat transfer coefficient then aluminum so in a hot day if you get in an air conditioned taxi with a chrome lens even for 5 minutes your lens will become very cold. Stepping out of the taxi back into a hot and humid environment will attract moisure onto to your precious glass and metal. This is relevant to some of us in the tropics. Black lenses will be affected to a lesser degree and plastic Japanese barrels almost nil. This is the reason I prefer black lenses though I find chrome lenses are of higher built quality and less prone to wear. Aluminum is also quite soft.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), April 10, 2002.