john y.k. lee Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Why is there a $70 price difference between the black and chrome FM3A new at BH Photo Video? Why is the black version more expensive than the chrome version? Personally, the chrome looks classier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 cameras are made to be use. blacks cameras are more useful almost always...but the price is probably because they produce less black bodies. do you want to TAKE photographs or do you want to BE photographed with your "classier" camera? how many modern pro camera are chrome and how many are black?? get the point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Before B&H existed over 30+ years ago; black bodies cost more. I paid then 20 dollars extra; to get a black Nikkormat. In rapid shooting; I always remember that my black body had tri-x; and my chrome body Ektachrome 160 pushed to 400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobar57 Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 The only difference is price.Is a matter of demand vs availability.As said before the black version of any manual cameras,specially Nikon,used to be $20.00 more,these days it is a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 In industrial plants; chrome tools such as sockets, wrenches etc get stolen alot more than all black tools; which cost slightly more due to low production rates. I guess us humans like bright objects just like pack rats due too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edan_lev_ari Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 The black camera will take sharper pictures. To really get maximum advantatge you need to mount on a big white lens. The contrast between the big white lens and black body will give you better bokeh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_ilomaki Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 John: I have a black FM3a and the black 45mm pancake Nikor and the total price diff was about 100 Singapore dollars -about 60 US. Chrome cameras look like champagne Nikon N 65s at the beach, whereas black cameras look like what the photog in Apocalypse Now had on his neck. The black ones are supposed to be less obvious, as some famous photogs(one with a hyphenated name, legend has it,) even covered the logo/name with back tape to further lessen the visual impact so the subject would be less aware of being the subject of a decisive moment. Personal choice-chrome cameras look tacky to me. IMHO!!! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_hawkins Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Assuming that are running their business in a traditional capitalist way...because they generate the best balance of gross margin and volume via this pricing scheme. Remember that price does not determine the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_hawkins Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Sigh.... should have been "cost does not determine price." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_h6 Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 The black and chrome bodies have identical specs, features... etc. The only different is the color and the price. Depends on personal choice, some prefer black others like chrome. The black body is more expensive because it cost more to produce (cost of the black coating. ) I had 2 Nikon FM2N bodies bought new at the same time in the late 80s. (Paid the same "chrome" price) I used them almost equally with 2 MD12s. After years of usage, chrome still look nice and shiny. The black had shown brass and scuff marks can be seen easily. I traded the black body for an F100 couple years ago and still have the chrome body. If the F100 was made in chrome and cost less, I would get the chrome F100. (-: Just my 2 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henk Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Well first of all the black paint is heated for several hours(same with cars) to make it harder and more durable. Chrome isnt. Probably supply and demand has something to do with the price difference also. Why is Black better? Well in the old days professional photog's were 'only' using black bodys, simply because they dont reflect light. If you are close to a subject you can get a reflection of your camera on the subject. THATS ALL! A watch does the same btw, or a white t-shirt etc. Greetings, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 It has been my experience that black camera bodies will wear thru to the brass well before a chrome plated body will. The chrome finish on old camaeras (non plastic) is plated on; where as the black finish is painted on. <BR><BR>In the early 1970's there was an article in Modern Photography about repainting a chrome camera black. first the chrome parts are removed; and then dechromed in an electrical bath using current. Then these parts are buffed up; and any scale is removed. Then these brass parts are painted black and baked in an oven.<BR><BR>In Engineering; many times we would chrome plate brass objects in mechanisms to give them wear resistance. Not all chromes are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry n. Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 If you want to sell your camera at some point down the road, the black will probably get you more money (though it might be more difficult to maintain the finish). Anyway, is the price difference really $70? I thought it was more like $25 for Gray version (not another color choice). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_soroka Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Henk's point about reflections is the main reason for going with black, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 Really, I thought it was because the black ones took sharper photos and had better bokeh! That must be it, because I read it right here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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