Actually, for a very long time, most consumer cameras were silver.
Black cameras were hard to come by (only a few manufacturers made them)
and were mostly used by photojournalists. They preferred them because
they were unobtrusive... they didn't call as much attention to the
photographer as chrome bodies did. This was especially true in war
zones. However, Viet Nam brought the image of war correspondent pjs
with their black Nikons into homes all over America and a mystique was
born. However, your estimate of 99% black cameras is a bit off, I'd
say... I still think the majority of cameras are silver colored.
Ed Senior
Doggre@xxxxxxx wrote:
Just wondering here (obviously a slow day...).... why.... aren't MOST camera
bodies AND lenses, NO MATTER THE SIZE, ALL-white, as opposed to the
traditional black? I can see a good rationale for black INSIDE the body and
any lens, to absorb any extraneous light that might find its way inside, but
why black OUTSIDE, as well? Why not white, to keep the body (and hence, the
film inside) & lens elements, helicoid grease, etc. cool? Even here in moss
country, direct sun doesn't take long to get a body or lens pretty darned
warm. I realize some folks would prefer black (or even CAMO) for
inconspicuousness, but for the BASIC best all-around color, wouldn't that be
WHITE? Is it just tradition that we've ended up with 99% (that's a wild
guess) of ALL cameras sold in black? Geez, even Henry Ford got away from
basic black in 1927!
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