Ricoh
Well-known
Do you cover the red dot or not? It sees a pitty, but it's a bit of an advert for expensive, valuable kit and therefore open to theft.
Interestingly, I was talking to a Leica rep at a recent trade show and he advised me to cover the red dot and the M with black insulating tape!
Interestingly, I was talking to a Leica rep at a recent trade show and he advised me to cover the red dot and the M with black insulating tape!
maxmadco
Well-known
If you can cut a neat circle you will not notice it but if it is bad it will be the only thing you see.
Cheaper than getting a genuine Leica black dot but do not get any tape on the camera for almost ever tape will leave a residue or a mark that cannot be removed. Why cover it at all? Everything is open for theft.
Cheaper than getting a genuine Leica black dot but do not get any tape on the camera for almost ever tape will leave a residue or a mark that cannot be removed. Why cover it at all? Everything is open for theft.
f16sunshine
Moderator
One of these days someone is going to make a DSLR "Skin" for Leica M users.
Until then, use tape. It keeps a camera safe from theft. Just like using a wool hat in place of a motor cycle helmet
Until then, use tape. It keeps a camera safe from theft. Just like using a wool hat in place of a motor cycle helmet
Ricoh
Well-known
Glad I asked, I was going to get a strip of electrician's black tape, but I don't want to disfigure my new camera, I'll probably use it as the German manufacturer's intended. I have the camera and lens covered by insurance, but personal welfare is something else. Tread carefully I suppose!
Ricoh
Well-known
You make a good point, however I was interested to learn what others do. I wasn't aware that a black dot is available. Does this sit on top of the existing emblem, I wonder - rather than being lazy I'll do an Internet search.One of these days someone is going to make a DSLR "Skin" for Leica M users.
Until then, use tape. It keeps a camera safe from theft. Just like using a wool hat in place of a motor cycle helmet
f16sunshine
Moderator
Sorry, I could not resist being a smarty.
DAG sells the black Dots when he has them.
Personally I think these look great and actually add something special to the already attractive M cameras.
It's just a self adhesive metal sticker. If you "thumb" the red dot until it warms up and gently twist back and forth it will come loose.
Some folks remove the red dot and paint it black then replace it onto the camera.
I had a couple black ones on my M8's way back when. They look especially good on the silver bodies. (I got them from DAG 2008ish)
Leica got into some sort of licensing issue and had to stop using the black dot.
I don't recal exactly but, if you google leica black dot etc... you will find it.
DAG sells the black Dots when he has them.
Personally I think these look great and actually add something special to the already attractive M cameras.
It's just a self adhesive metal sticker. If you "thumb" the red dot until it warms up and gently twist back and forth it will come loose.
Some folks remove the red dot and paint it black then replace it onto the camera.
I had a couple black ones on my M8's way back when. They look especially good on the silver bodies.
(I got them from DAG 2008ish)Leica got into some sort of licensing issue and had to stop using the black dot.
I don't recal exactly but, if you google leica black dot etc... you will find it.
wwkw
-
Heart > Balls (ovaries) > Brains > Extremities > Shoes > Camera > Dots.
Matthew Runkel
Well-known
I would be very surprised if many thieves--for whom everything is free, by the way--recognize the red dot, and those who do probably can spot Leica without a red dot.
x-ray
Veteran
I agree that few thieves or non photo enthusiasts know or care what a Leica is. They're looking for an opportunity to grab something they think they can make a dollar on. I never have worried or cared if there's a red dot. No tape for me.
If you're in a place where you have to be concerned about someone grabbing your camera and running then youve got potentially bigger problems to worry about. I've spent decades photographing the underbelly of Appalachian culture and never felt like my camera was in danger. I have been shot at but that wasnt to get my camera.
Beemermark
Veteran
Sorry, I missed the part on why is was necessary to deface the camera. Maybe I should paint my Omega watch crystal with black paint?
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
When my apartment was burglarized in the spring of 2013, the thieves stole a Nikon D2Hs, D2x, a beat up 24mm f/2.8 Ai, Sigma 14mm f/3.5 with a chip in the front element and a 17-55mm f/2.8 AFS.
They took the bag that I took through several tropical storms (one was a typhoon in Guam) and then took through combat in Iraq. Also stolen was my roommate's Pentax K1000 with 50mm f/1.4 lens and some jewelery of hers. These things were easily identifiable as easily fenced and so had value to the burglars.
What was not stolen was a Leica M4 with 50mm DR Summicron, a Nikon SP with 3.5cm f/1.8, 5cm f/1.4 about $300 worth in reloadable Nikon cassettes and $800 worth in Eastman XX film right there in the cans. They actually opened my Domke bag to look at the Leica and Nikon SP with lenses but passed them by.
What they didn't know was that the Leica and the SP were each more valuable than the total haul of stolen gear (which I used for work.) The 3.5cm f/1.8 Nikkor was worth more than the two digitals as well.
My point is that thieves are idiots. If they weren't, they'd be doing some other line of work.
The worst thing that's going to happen to you by someone identifying your Leica is they will possibly interrupt a shot by saying something like "Oh, that's a nice Leica, what kind of film do you shoot?" Or something like that. Otherwise, you may get accosted by hipster girls and guys who shoot a Leica themselves or pontificate about digital, film or video capture.
As for the dot itself, you can paint over the red carefully and scrape the paint off the script quite easily. You could always do what I did with my M8 then my M9:
There is no sin in "defacing" the camera. It's a tool, not a monetary investment. Make it yours, get comfortable with it. Happy shooting.
Phil Forrest
They took the bag that I took through several tropical storms (one was a typhoon in Guam) and then took through combat in Iraq. Also stolen was my roommate's Pentax K1000 with 50mm f/1.4 lens and some jewelery of hers. These things were easily identifiable as easily fenced and so had value to the burglars.
What was not stolen was a Leica M4 with 50mm DR Summicron, a Nikon SP with 3.5cm f/1.8, 5cm f/1.4 about $300 worth in reloadable Nikon cassettes and $800 worth in Eastman XX film right there in the cans. They actually opened my Domke bag to look at the Leica and Nikon SP with lenses but passed them by.
What they didn't know was that the Leica and the SP were each more valuable than the total haul of stolen gear (which I used for work.) The 3.5cm f/1.8 Nikkor was worth more than the two digitals as well.
My point is that thieves are idiots. If they weren't, they'd be doing some other line of work.
The worst thing that's going to happen to you by someone identifying your Leica is they will possibly interrupt a shot by saying something like "Oh, that's a nice Leica, what kind of film do you shoot?" Or something like that. Otherwise, you may get accosted by hipster girls and guys who shoot a Leica themselves or pontificate about digital, film or video capture.
As for the dot itself, you can paint over the red carefully and scrape the paint off the script quite easily. You could always do what I did with my M8 then my M9:
There is no sin in "defacing" the camera. It's a tool, not a monetary investment. Make it yours, get comfortable with it. Happy shooting.
Phil Forrest
maxmadco
Well-known
If you are aware of your surroundings and the people in them you should be fine.
If you walk around with your head down or on your phone oblivious to what is happening around you the thieves see the potential easy victims right away.
I have been in some "bad" places but never had any problems.
If you walk around with your head down or on your phone oblivious to what is happening around you the thieves see the potential easy victims right away.
I have been in some "bad" places but never had any problems.
DavidKKHansen
Well-known
Sure about that? I've received my M6 TTL back from Wetzlar after a service, in which I asked for the red dot to be replaced with a black dot. They did so free of charge as part of the service I had them do.
agoglanian
Reconnected.
I had covered mine with insulated tape for almost a year now, but just last night decided to remove it as I thought I would refresh it so it didn't become stuck or anything.
Turns out that it left quite a lot of residue on the camera, and in an effort to clean it off, I put a nice couple of scratches across the front and took a chunk of paint off. How this happened I have no idea as I was being careful while cleaning it.
Moral of the story. Be careful, or don't cover your camera at all and let it age naturally
Turns out that it left quite a lot of residue on the camera, and in an effort to clean it off, I put a nice couple of scratches across the front and took a chunk of paint off. How this happened I have no idea as I was being careful while cleaning it.
Moral of the story. Be careful, or don't cover your camera at all and let it age naturally
f16sunshine
Moderator
I'm pretty sure.
It has something to do with Leica the camera company recieving license to use the Leica Logo.
It's been some time since this story became a story. The M8.2 days.
I think the M8.2 recieved the right to use the black dot (m6 lys also?? rings a bell).
The license was not granted for other cameras or to sell the black dot individually.
Google has more if you have interest.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Matthew,
Quite. It comes down to which word is harder to understand: "opportunist" or "thief".
My understanding is that a black dot on a black camera is fine, because it isn't a "dot": it's merely the Leica script on a black ground. Drop the dot into a chrome camera and it's a different matter: it's a dot. But then, I have a law degree and can see how such things might work, even if common sense doesn't necessarily intervene.
Cheers,
R.
Ricoh
Well-known
It was the Leica rep who recommended sticky tape to me, but if it's going to disfigure the paint in someway, I'm not going to bother. I'll ride with ithe camera as it is.
Thanks for the replies.
Thanks for the replies.
Jack Sparrow
Well-known
I use black electrical tape on the Leica and Fujifilm cameras. No issues. Though you'd be wise to replace it regularly (it can get gummy after a while).