It looks oh so professional, being all black

[Frank-G]

Coupled with my black Voigtlander Bessa R3A, via a Leica screw-mount to M-mount adaptor, my Nokton 50mm F1.5 lens looks pretty darn sharp. The body case and strap are black too, not to mention the black rubber Vivitar hood in the 52mm thread size. This set-up looks just like a black Leica M4-P from several feet away. The film inside this fabulous Cosina setup is a 36 roll of Ilford HP5+. Right now it is very late, but I have my black special one hanging around my neck. (The wife isn't home so I can fondle while I type.) I love Cosina and Ilford film. Kid you not.

 

[Frank-G]

The only piece, besides the Vivitar hood, that is not Cosina is the black UV filter. It is a Nikon. Can't wait 'til Cosina makes filters.

 

[JBrunner]

This is film porn.

 

[Soeren]

No, racism
Cheers
Søren

 

[Frank-G]

I like the term "film porn" better though I did clean up my photopoo site last night. The kiddies liked it too much for the pics.....

 

[narsuitus]

Can you post a photo so we can see what you are describing?

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

As I write this, I am looking at my black CV R3M with black 50mm/2.0. It looks nice and pleasant but I feel no titillation at all.

However, when I look across the room at my Wehman, sitting on its tripod, flaunting its naked 150mm Schneider aspheric Super Symmar, my pulse races!

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'm sorry, I can resist no longer. Who else automatically associates the terms 'porn' and 'wanker'?

We're all very happy that you're in love with your camera, Frank, but many of us do find your endless posts rather, shall we say, odd.

I have black cameras, silver cameras, cream/white enamelled cameras, wooden cameras, brown cameras (the vulcanite on my IIIa has faded, for example) and even an olive green camera. For that matter, I've had red and grey cameras, and greeny-grey, and goldy-green Hammerite. Where there was a choice of finish, I chose the one that I thought looked prettiest. But I just can't get as excited about any of them as you do.

No, black isn't 'professional'. It's a finish. It was originally applied because it was cheap: chrome was the extra-cost option. Some people like it better. Some people (including professionals) like silver better. So?

Using a camera to earn a living, now that's professional. I have never had a client or a publisher ask me what colour camera I planned on using, or had used.

Oh, yes; and it doesn't look a lot like an M4-P, either. I have several Voigtlanders and several Leicas including an M4-P. You'd need to be short sighted or ignorant or both to mistake any Voigtlander for any Leica at anything under fifteen or twenty feet. This is not to deprecate Voigtlanders -- they're superb cameras and excellent value for money -- but they ain't Leicas.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[smieglitz]

Even before the Soapbox, this may be the first forum I put on "ignore".

Quit blabbering about "the best", quit fondling your equipment, and go take some meaningful pictures.

 

[firecracker]

Frank-G, are you one of those people who always dress all in black (like the art critics from the 70s)?

 

[MacCaulay]

I'm afraid Frank has a track record for this type of behaviour. I really don't know whether he is real or just looking for a reaction. Either way, it's best not to take the bait.

 

[DBP]

The closest I have come to people asking me what color the camera is have been a few idiots who asked if it was color or black and white.

 

[JBrunner]

The closest I have come to people asking me what color the camera is have been a few idiots who asked if it was color or black and white.

I let an intern look through the reflex viewfinder of a Arri 35mm motion picture camera once, on set. He commented that it was the best color viewfinder image he had ever seen, even better than his Panasonic camcorder. He was confused to learn that it was optical, not electronic. It was kinda funny(but does point out that some film schools are seriously lacking)

Oh, and an Arriflex BL IVs with a nice Zeiss T1.3 super speed, now thats' sexy!

 

[Claire Senft]

It is too bad that the equipment and film together can not show the difference between dog that has different color eyes..black and brilliant blue.

What do you think the problem is: Cosina, Ilford or Daffy Duck?

 

[Dan Fromm]

Jason, a propos of the Arri, I suppose one attribute of professional-grade equipment is that it is so expensive that owning it makes sense only for rental houses.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[JBrunner]

Jason, a propos of the Arri, I suppose one attribute of professional-grade equipment is that it is so expensive that owning it makes sense only for rental houses.

Cheers,

Dan

I do own and SRII (16mm-Arri for the non cine) that has been a good investment, and it is certainly professional grade, but as far as 35 goes, I agree, except maybe a "crash or grab" camera or two. (Custom Eyemo or some such)

 

[Ed Sukach]

Hei, guys. There ARE reasons for favoring "black", both in cameras and in wardrobe. For one, the image of the photographer is less apparent in the reflections from window glass while wearing black. More than once I have used my black raincoat or whatever to drape over a bright orange sign and eliminate its reflection from a composition.

Also, a black camera, slung over one shoulder, against black clothing is the least conspicuous. Effective camouflage for street photography.

And, yes, my 'Blads are black, and I'll fondle them if I want to. I call that 'exercising the shutters'.

 

[DBP]

I let an intern look through the reflex viewfinder of a Arri 35mm motion picture camera once, on set. He commented that it was the best color viewfinder image he had ever seen, even better than his Panasonic camcorder. He was confused to learn that it was optical, not electronic. It was kinda funny(but does point out that some film schools are seriously lacking)

Oh, and an Arriflex BL IVs with a nice Zeiss T1.3 super speed, now thats' sexy!

Had a similar experience with the Maxwell viewfinder on my Yashicamat, a kid thought it was an LCD and that the camera was digital.