ZM lens: silver or black finish, which one is better?

[xabi]

I'm planning to buy a 50mm planar. For those who have handled this lens, is the silver finish better than the black finish? Is the silver one made of brass, like the leica chrome lens?

Thanks.

Jeff

[grantray]

The black lens feels like it has been anodized, which is what I think everyone calls "black chrome," but I'm not sure. Also, my guess is that both the black and silver barrels are made out of the same raw material before receiving respective coatings. For manufacturing purposes, tooling up to make a form out of two materials would be deemed an unnecessary expenditure. Not to mention it would cost a fortune..

-grant

[SolaresLarrave]

Better? For what? I'm :confused:

[dll927]

If it's the same lens, the outer appearance shouldn't matter. I have Jupiter-8s in both Zorki and Kiev mounts. Main difference is that one won't fit the other.

[RObert Budding]

Buy both - then you can match to your outfit. Silver is better with brown belt and shoes. Choose black for that urban sophisticate look - black shoes and belt coordinate nicely with that black Zeiss lens for a night on the towm.

[telenous]

Hi xabi,

I believe from what I 've read on the web the two lenses are made from the same raw material. Well, I am afraid colour coordination is indeed the reason why I chose the black ZM over the silver one. I use it with a Leica M2 and I thought the silver one wouldn't look right. Another thing to consider is which one will look better as they get worn. I hope this helps.

[xabi]

Sounds good, Robert =).

Jeff

[JoeFriday]

it's a proven scientific fact (I think it was Cecil at The Straight Dope (http://www.straightdope.com/) who did the research) that silver lenses take the best photos between dawn and 10 am, and 4:30 and 8pm.. black lenses are the logical choice between 10am and 4pm (with the next half hour being neutral).. after 8pm, it doesn't matter since there aren't any good photos to be taken

there.. that's settled once and for all

[xabi]

telenous,

That's one of my concern. I don't know if the silver finish would hold up better with use. I was told that the black finish on ZM lenses is prone to impact marks.

[xabi]

Joe, so I guess I would get a black one then.

Seriously, I know my question about black or silver is a bit silly and thanks a lot for all your replies.

Just couldn't make up my mind on which one...

[JoeFriday]

oh, I forgot to mention that black lenses are better for photos of moving objects.. silver lenses will give you more emotion in portraits.. except if the pictures are of cats, because they have no souls

and black lenses are the ipso facto standard for landscape orientation.. silver is critical to capture 'hip shot' street photos.. don't even try it with a black lens.. you'll just hurt yourself

[peter_n]

Brett, what did you have for breakfast? ;)

[JoeFriday]

"it's not so much the speed.. I just wish I hadn't drank all that cough syrup this morning"

or maybe it's the fact that I've been working on the RFF Book til the wee hours every night this week.. but it's been giving me some great creative ideas.. for example, I decided last night to use the font Zapf Dingbats for all the text

[Ken F.]

Hi Jeff,

I just purchased the 28 f2:8 in silver, from Tony Rose at Popflash Photo.
The fit and finish is excellent! I was told by Tony that the finish on the black lens is of very high quality, I'm sure it would equal it's counterpart.

Regards,
kf

[Frank Granovski]

I was told black is better. :)