Black or Chrome?

Black or Chrome?

  • BLACK

    Votes: 100 63.3%

  • CHROME

    Votes: 58 36.7%
  • Total voters
    158

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,927
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
There is the whole debate over which is better as far as reflecting heat(chrome) vs attracting and holding heat(black) and is it myth or fact. I remember reading an article about that back in the 80's as to why most camera manufacturers went to all black. It is purely a marketing ploy, and cheaper to make an all black unit, and label it a"professional" model. I believe this was due to the popularity of the Nikon F series, and not everybody could afford one, plus it gave the illusion your camera was just as good as the Nikon.

This is, of course, more ramblings from an old man, who's been around the block a time or three.

Rick
 

mopar_guy

Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
1,173
Location
Washington,
Format
Multi Format
My OM-4T is the color previously known as "Champagne".
 

LyleB

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
376
Location
Lower Michig
Format
35mm
Ever since my first SLR (FM2n) I've preferred chrome. I always thought it looked better. Still do.
 

Aron

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2009
Messages
256
Location
Hungary
Format
Multi Format
Usually it's black with all the edges worn down to bare brass , but I do appreciate the charm of chrome bodies.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,960
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I cannot participate - either way, at least one of my cameras would be offended .

Matt
 

Matthe w

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
14
Location
'artlepool,
Format
Medium Format
black every time since i'm not the best at keeping my equipment clean, but like most people say mostly down
to availability
 

magkelly

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
131
Format
35mm
I do prefer basic black, but I'm not really picky that way. If it works and I can afford it I don't really care if it's one or the other. It's the camera's innards I am most interested in, not it's chassis. Though, I have thought about customizing an old zebra Spottie in something a bit crazy just for fun. If I had more than one body, eventually, I'd like to take the black leatherette off one and art it up. I see the Spottie as the Beetle of the old cameras and I really like old Beetles done up custom. I could see me having fun with one, replacing that old black leatherette with all silver or tie-dye faux leather or something.
 

Ed Sukach

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
4,517
Location
Ipswich, Mas
Format
Medium Format
Carry over from "Spot News" (... alright ... "pappa*.."): Black body, as black as possible, with a black, or dark colored shirt/ jacket. -To remain as inconspicuous as possible. Usually carried over one shoulder ( ... unstable), or over the neck and and opposite shoulder, to the rear.
Being "not noticeable" is a good thing in this work.
 

BradS

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
8,120
Location
Soulsbyville, California
Format
35mm
it matters not.

(actually, I prefer black walnut, cherry or mahogany).
 

Amir Aziz

Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2009
Messages
14
Location
Isle of Aval
Format
35mm
I prefer the bodies in Black preferably enamel black on brass rather then black plastic. Didn't HCB use to cover his bodies in black tape ?who am I to argue with him.
 

IloveTLRs

Member
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
1,132
Location
Boston
Format
Sub 35mm
Chrome, lovely chrome.

Black is out of my budget here in Japan.
 

FilmOnly

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
550
Location
Southeastern
Format
35mm
I say chrome, by far. Black is prone to getting hot on warmer days. I tend to find chrome prettier, too, especially in a panda bear design, like that of a Nikon FE.
 

ozphoto

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 2, 2006
Messages
1,918
Location
Adelaide, SA, Australia
Format
Multi Format
Black has always been my preference.
All my Canon's (A1, AE1-Program, F1) have been black; my EOS system followed suit - although it doesn't actually come in any other colour, so I'd be stuck if I really loved chrome!

Same for my GS1 and soon to purchase Horseman - black all the way . . . . . .
 

moki

Member
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
161
Location
Wismar, Germ
Format
35mm
I love black, but for SLRs it's just not the right thing. With all the black plastic D-SLRs around, I like a little chrome to make the difference visible. Also, I like to look and feel a little old-fashioned sometimes and chrome helps
 

Mainecoonmaniac

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2009
Messages
6,297
Format
Multi Format
I'm Asian so...

darinwc said:
Black or Chrome?
poll to follow
Click to expand...

I'm Asian male so when it comes to hair I prefer black over chrome

Hair is better then a chrome dome.

But I'm seeing more gray now
 

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,970
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
It depends on the camera generally for 35mm cameras I prefer black I love the matte black finish on my Canon F1N AE and the glossy piano black on the Canon EF and A1 I think Leica used to have a patent process to make black chrome that was secret, I don't have one but I would prefer a Hasselblad in chrome.
 

brian d

Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2008
Messages
396
Location
Indiana
Format
Multi Format
black chrome & grey
 

John_Nikon_F

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1,963
Location
Duvall, WA,
Format
Multi Format
For the most part, black. But, I will take chrome if it's the only option. Partly because the black finish wears easier, so it's easier to tell which camera has been used more. My black Nikons (F, F2A, F3P, FM2n, and F4) all show at least a little wear. The Pentax doesn't, since it's chrome.

-J
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…