View Full Version : POLL - Silver or Black: That is the question.
Which color would you pick for a MP and why? :)
KoNickon
04-10-2006, 07:50
I don't much care for brassing, so silver, which isn't painted on like the black finish, would be my choice.
pure classic look of silver with silver lenses cannot be beat!
Gabriel M.A.
04-10-2006, 07:54
I vote for both. If there were that option, that is...
bmattock
04-10-2006, 07:58
Hammertone Gray!
BJ Bignell
04-10-2006, 08:02
Black, for sure.
Unless by silver you mean genuine triple-plated nickel chrome? I mean, the really shiny stuff, like a 60's Caddilac, not that 'gray' chrome look. In that case, but only that case, "silver". :D
BJ Bignell
04-10-2006, 08:06
Dude, "gaffer tape" isn't a colour. It's a lifestyle!
Bertram2
04-10-2006, 08:06
pure classic look of silver with silver lenses cannot be beat!
Basta !! :D Nothing to add !
bertram
For an M-mount body, black. It's more discreet and low-key.
For a screw-mount body, (silver) chrome. It's more classy.
To paraphrase Raid - black is cool, silver (chrome) is classic - I like classic.
Gid
BTW, all my cams are black except for the newly acquired M6 - not really interesting but just wanted to hit 300 posts (for the second time - what happened to the others?) :confused:
bmattock
04-10-2006, 08:21
No sense of adventure. We need a photgraphic Kandinsky. Or something.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
BJ Bignell
04-10-2006, 08:33
I see know that you've asked which colour, and why.
Black because it's subtle, it's less noticeable, and yet at the same time, looks professional. And, because the chrome finish on the new Leicas isn't really chrome enough for my taste...
bmattock
04-10-2006, 08:44
I see know that you've asked which colour, and why.
Black because it's subtle, it's less noticeable, and yet at the same time, looks professional. And, because the chrome finish on the new Leicas isn't really chrome enough for my taste...
Can there ever be enough chrome? No, there can't.
Oh wait, what was I thinking. I meant beer.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
vizioneer
04-10-2006, 09:05
I have picked silver for my MP and lens, cuz it looks superb in person. Seen some black Leicas, can't say I have the same reaction.
Goodyear
04-10-2006, 09:12
Chrome all the way, baby.
You know it makes sense.
For Leica Ms, nothing beats silver with silver lenses! I think they're ten times better looking than the black equivalent. Pure classic.
Black? Are there any black Leica's then?? ;)
Brian Sweeney
04-10-2006, 09:23
I could never make up my mind on this issue.
Get one of each.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=236
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=237
I could never make up my mind on this issue.
Get one of each.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=236
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=237
I like the look of Leicas in chrome, but I do like the Nikon in black especially the SP 2005 (mind you for the price, perhaps it should be gold :) )
kvanderlaag
04-10-2006, 10:01
In the world of cameras, there are no black and white, only shades of chrome.
I went for black in my MP. I am happy with my choice. I got a chrome M7 in the MP style though, and I must say they are both nice looking. I take the MP if I want to be a bit more discreet...but that is probably because my M7 is blue, rather than just chrome.
c.poulton
04-10-2006, 10:19
Black - unobtrusive and less noticeable. Looks cool too!
VictorM.
04-10-2006, 10:22
In the past, I've preferred chrome, but my M4-2 is dull black chrome and it goes unnoticed more often than not. In my neighborhood that's a good thing. So: chrome is prettier but black is more practical if you're going to use the camera outdoors and in bars, etc.
back alley
04-10-2006, 11:23
i've had both, i like both.
Chrome of course!
But not silver paint, I do not like that. In that case I prefer black, or some color like blue, grey or olive.
/Håkan
Whatever suits the donor.
zanydave
04-10-2006, 11:57
Chrome.......... They take better pictures!
Faced with critical questions of this magnitude I always ask myself what would my spiritual advisor Raid Amin reply, and the answer of course is "Black is Cool; Chrome is Classic." But of course everyone already knows that black gives better results.
titrisol
04-10-2006, 12:41
I think your poll lacks the Who cares/doesn;t make a difference option
I think it depends on whther you are a collector or a user.
From the user point of view, who cares!
from the collector point of view, black tends to retain value better
I have 2 black MP's but I voted for chrome. We lust for what do not have I guess. The chrome for the more durable finish. I do not like the brassing on my MP's and I especially do not like the brassing on my BP 90 Summicron. Just something basically wrong with that.
Uncle Bill
04-10-2006, 12:50
I already have a silver M3 so I would like a black MP with black lens.
Bill
I think your poll lacks the Who cares/doesn;t make a difference option
I think it depends on whther you are a collector or a user.
From the user point of view, who cares!
from the collector point of view, black tends to retain value better
I disagree, I'm not a collector yet I use Fed, Leica, and a Bessa because the camera is an important part of the experiance of photography. How the camera looks is as much a part of enjoying the camera as how it functions.
I think your poll lacks the Who cares/doesn;t make a difference option
If I may answer it in the following ways;
1) I no longer see Leica MP as "just a camera." It is more like a fine mechanical watch... it is, perhaps, just me. Quartz watches keep more accurate time but... damn I love full mechanical watches!
2) You do not have to vote, if the choice you prefer is not there
3) This MP will be my last ever film camera; period...
4) I am buying this camera for my 30th birthday and perhaps I could pass it down for generations :)
existrandom
04-10-2006, 15:48
for my 30th birthday i bought a chrome M4
for the vote, BLACK
just so that i can put a chrome lens on a black body, i think it would be pretty, although many would disagree
i am not sure whether a black body really is more unnoticed, because pulling out a camera in place i live instantly attracts attention, passenger, passerby, security guard, railway stuff, etc do see "it" when they see a "real camera" even though you are just doing snapshots of your friend, they don't mind cell phone doing dirty snaps underskirt, but they mind a real camera and i am often asked whether i am a reporter, i am not and you know the rest of a story
general folks on a street are friendly, very different from management people, it all comes down to what sort of message you give out in your presence, and the context of picture-taking i guess
girls tend to like chrome cameras of mine though
simonankor
04-10-2006, 15:53
Whatever suits the donor.
Hear hear! :D
You wrote;
for my 30th birthday i bought a chrome M4 xx xx xx for the vote, BLACK
Then you added the following at the very end...
...girls tend to like chrome cameras of mine though
:D Are you jealous that I will be getting the attention if I decides to go Chrome on the MP? :D
That alone may be good enough reason!!!
On a more serious note... I also do not believe that the Black body receives less attention.
My opinion is that, because of the 2-tone color of the Chrome body, it is more "camouflaged"??? Especially when my hair gets gray, chrome body would complement my coloring.... :)
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8042/leicampsilver3hm.gif
My MP is black with silver lens. It looks even better with silver VC lenses. Hot stuff ...
ErnestoJL
04-10-2006, 18:29
I don´t have a Leica MP, in fact I´m still a Contax fan... , but anyway, I know an MP is something very very nice... so why should it be chrome or black?
Why not both?
Ok, I prefer black!!!
Ernesto
is the chrome on the chrome-leica the same luster/finish as the chrome on my Electro 35? If it is, then ewwwwww
Simon Larbalestier
04-10-2006, 18:44
BLACK
back alley
04-10-2006, 19:12
purplesnakeskin....muhahahaha
amateriat
04-10-2006, 19:17
Well, black, because:
– That's how my Hexar RFs and lenses came
– I do happen to believe black is more "stealthy" (smaller-than-hefty-SLR size helps, too)
– As any true fashionista knows, "everything goes with it"
- Barrett
Older Cameras: Silver (Don't mind a little brassing.)
Older Women: Blonde (Don't mind a little silvering.)
I could never see paying a premimum for a cheaper to apply black finish. The only black camera I ever found to be less intimidating or more descreet is a Minox EC. That may be because people think it's a Bic. Noise seems to be more significant.
Can't argue that silver looks classic. Black looks classic on a Model T Ford.
My MP is black with silver lens. It looks even better with silver VC lenses. Hot stuff ...
Do you have a picture of it??? ;)
visiondr
04-10-2006, 20:32
Chrome is the new black.
My MP is chrome. I think it looks great.
Simon Larbalestier
04-10-2006, 20:57
Any colour as long as it's BLACK :D
back alley
04-10-2006, 21:07
choices, so many choices
.... I know an MP is something very very nice... so why should it be chrome or black? Why not both?
Ernesto,
You are right; The Chrome (Silver) version IS both black and chrome where as the black is all-black! :D
Any colour as long as it's BLACK :D
Hello... Johnny Cash! :D
Simon Larbalestier
04-10-2006, 21:25
maybe i should change my avatar then? :D
maybe i should change my avatar then? :D
.... you should say [with a deep voice] "....maybe I ammmm....." :D
Black is cool, chrome is classic
Black for conspicuity, silver for beauty, so I don't vote. Oh! yes, if I pay three thousand dollars for a single body, then I would take care it will be as conspicuous as possible, for the eyes of thieves, even if I do not need conspicuity for picture making.
But most Leica users I knew liked to show off more than take care. The dis-advantages of being rich...
Cheers,
Ruben
Black for conspicuity, silver for beauty, so I don't vote.
:(
But most Leica users I knew liked to show off more than take care. The dis-advantages of being rich...
The woes of the haves! Perhaps you are hanging out with the wrong crowd.
P.S. Leica MP, without the usual "red dot" is not for the "show-offs". ;)
BOTH.
I have a Black M5 and a Chrome MP.
Personally, I think the Chrome MP is a little classier looking but I love both cameras.
Best,
Ray
scottmcl
04-11-2006, 14:49
Silver is durable; the finish wears very well. Silver looks great with both black and silver/chrome lenses. If you ever get to the point of a custom leather covering for your camera, there are more options that look really cool with a silver body :-)
Always bet on black! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105104/quotes)
Always bet on black!
Thanks Wesley!:D
amateriat
04-12-2006, 08:41
i am not sure whether a black body really is more unnoticed, because pulling out a camera in place i live instantly attracts attention, passenger, passerby, security guard, railway stuff, etc do see "it" when they see a "real camera" even though you are just doing snapshots of your friend, they don't mind cell phone doing dirty snaps underskirt, but they mind a real camera and i am often asked whether i am a reporter, i am not and you know the rest of a story(some snips)
All the vintage-Contax folk in the audience: you'd better sit down for this.
Walker Evans went so far as to paint his Contax flat black to make it less noticeable for his subway shooting. Some of you, no doubt, know this already. Did this help in the making of his photographs? Apparently he thought so, and who am I to argue otherwise? :D
- Barrett
Silver for me.... I have all my equipement in silver, bodies and lenses.... I couldn't even start to explain why... but I do so much prefer the chrome to black....
Post deleted by posters request
Walker Evans went so far as to paint his Contax flat black
Barrett,
Thanks for the info.... Mr. Evens had silver (or chrome) RF.... You are correct, who are we to argue?
:D
(some snips)
All the vintage-Contax folk in the audience: you'd better sit down for this.
Walker Evans went so far as to paint his Contax flat black to make it less noticeable for his subway shooting. Some of you, no doubt, know this already. Did this help in the making of his photographs? Apparently he thought so, and who am I to argue otherwise? :D
- Barrett
As myself a Contax off-spring in the audience, who by chance is black painting his Kiev 2a black right now, I agree.
It is obvious. Black diminishes apparent size. Not only cameras but also cloths, cars, etc. Don't you see it ? If you don't, its' because its' black!
A thrilling example is when you mount a Universal Turret Finder. The chrome one immediately focus the attention of the public. Painted black, its 5 mini-lenses are unvisible. The same with the two windows of the body. In black they are not visible.
Cheers,
Ruben
PS: Isn't a story about HCB painting or taping his Leica black ?
cameosis
04-17-2006, 18:03
mostly black lenses on mostly chrome bodies.
I am glad we are having this discussion.
I can't decide myself, both look so nice, especially if we are talking about a Leica MP. My Bessa R is silver, though it is plastic silver, I like the way it looks (from a distance).
...especially if we are talking about a Leica MP...
Yes, I agree 100%. My M6TTL is black... But when I saw a Silver MP, up-close at Samy's Camera in LA, I was mesmerized... it really is a shame to cover up such a fine metal with a paint.
That being said, may be it, the beauty of silver chrome, is the reason why most people notice! ;)
dreamsandart
04-18-2006, 02:12
eenee-meenee-mynee-moo... 'personal style' black paint, but then chrome looks so 'classic' cooool, but than again black chrome has a fine more 'modern gun metal' look... best to have 3 cameras with one of each and sleep better at night! M7 black chrome, an M3/M2 in chrome and a MP in black paint. But if I had to have just the MP... Black [a la carte black chrome].
Shadrash
04-18-2006, 02:25
Well, I went for a black paint MP... but the more I look at the chrome MP, the more I like it...
I guess we want what we don't have.
emotepix
04-18-2006, 17:33
Hi there
MPs are meant for pro use -- ie they should be discreet, quiet, unobtrusive. I had an M4P that was always kept taped up - shiny things always attract attention, especially when rapidly being moved to eye level...
However, my M2 is and always has been silver. I use it for personal shots, i.e. those where my presence is part of the equation. If I wanted to "not be there" in the Heisenberg sense, then I'd probably prefer to go black.
Of course, having said all of that, it's definitely the attitude that counts. I remember once going through a crowd in a park taking shots with an old (silver) wind-up half-frame Canon Dial, and I mean going right up to people and taking their pictures -- and later having them not remembering or believing that I had taken their pictures at all. "That wasn't a real camera, was it? Thought you were just fooling around, you didn't really take any pictures, did you? With that toy?"
Well, I went for a black paint MP... but the more I look at the chrome MP, the more I like it...Makes good sense to have one of each... for easy distinguishing them, as for different film, or a different viewfinder magnification... right? :D
Dougg,
Could you please post a full size photo of your little Cat? Cat lover here. :)
I had an M4P that was always kept taped up...
You see; one could always easily "tape it up" a Silver MP. ;)
Dougg,
Could you please post a full size photo of your little Cat? Cat lover here. :)Delighted to oblige, Mark! His name is Ruff, and he's now full-grown, long-legged and lean. And magnificent (that's what he likes to hear)! :)
Delighted to oblige, Mark! His name is Ruff, and he's now full-grown, long-legged and lean. And magnificent (that's what he likes to hear)! :)
Dougg,
This is what my friend Katherine wrote back when I send Ruff's portrait;
damn, that is one sexy cat - really really cute....
The e-mail list included a lot of my friends... they all adore Ruff.
Ruff is one good looking cat! :cool:
Thanks! I told him all this and he purred, taking it as his due. :)
I have a chrome mp and m7 and a black cle. I ended up on a recent trip feeling more comfortable with a black cle for its inconspicous impression, while my chrome mp remained in the bag. Again, we always want what we don't have, and that leads me to a black mp/m7. Now, should it be black chrome or black enamel? The black chrome on the cle has held up very well (i.e. no brassing, deep scratches), while enamel paint getting worn off a camera over time and use would certainly develop an appealing patina. With the m7, a black camera is chromed while an mp is enamel, to reverse either would require an a la carte order, which would inspire other changes (metal film advance lever on an m7, angled film winder on mp)... I'm working up the money for an a la carte order now... but still not sure which black to get: chrome or enamel?
...but still not sure which black to get: chrome or enamel?
If you are a true Leicaphile aka a purist, it has to be in the black enamel... Isn't MP the closest Leica to the M3, or at least trying to be?
I think MP will be the last Film Leica RF ever make... so make it count! ;)
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