Hi Paul, et al ....
"Paul M. Provencher" wrote:
> I guess Pentax make [painted] black cameras
> because people want them.
So far, so good. People want black cameras, of course, for many
reasons. Some because they are, for some cameras, more "exclusive".
Others feel that they are less conspicuous - the stealth factor.
Numerous people like them just because they show wear and brass very
nicely. A well worn black camera is a badge of honor for some, and in
some situations, will command a higher price than a nice looking body
of the same vintage. I've two Spotmatic F bodies, one is a pristine
chrome version and the other a well-worn black one. I much prefer the
black.
Also, black metal bodies feel different than the same body with a
chrome finish. It's something I noticed some years ago, and at one
point brought up in the list. A few folks jumped in and said that
they noticed the difference in the feel of the cameras, and some much
preferred the way the black ones felt.
Some later model black Pentaxes are just black plastic tops, and they
look like crap when they're worn. Worthless if you want a nicely
brassed body.
> The cost of a [painted] black camera was
> only ever $20 more than the chrome
> version during the Spotmatic days.
Fashion changes ... at one point in the early years of 35mm cameras,
chrome was considered to be the luxury finish, and commanded a higher
price than black paint.
> (I'd be in trouble if it was because there
> were no red or yellow Pentax SLR's although
> I have heard tell of some red ones for the
> Tokyo Fire Dept....)
You heard right wrt color. A nearby shop had a red spotmatic on
display for a year or so, and finally sold it. Don't know if it was
made for the Tokyo Fire Dept, though.
--
Shel Belinkoff
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
when I was out making a photograph? Then what would I do?"
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