No more "non-red dots" on Leicas (eg. 8.2)

[veraikon]

Concerning this conversation in LuF
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/ber-das-leica-forum/85278-leica-camera-forum-2.html
the licence holder of the "Leica" trade mark [Leica Microsystems] doesn´t more allow that other than red dots are used at Leica Camera inside the licence agreement.
Leica Camera decided to turn back to red dots. The CS was instructed not to ship more black dots as spare parts. Future camera lots of the 8.2 will also return to red (still existing are not modified before shipping] .
This also explain why the white model returns to a red dot.....

We remember Leica Camera is not the owner of the Leica trade mark, In the splitting agreement of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar into three
independant parts (Leica Camera, Leica Microsystems, Leica Geosystems) in the 80ies the trade mark rested at Leica microsystems with free rights of use for Leica Camera and Leica Geosystems.
Leica Microsystems is now owned by an investment group (grasshoppers). From my point of view they want to make money with their licence.*

It is high time to return to Wetzlar and [re]use the Leitz, Wetzlar trade mark...

* compare the other case with Leica bei Meister (1925-2008) today Meister Camera ...

 

[Al Kaplan]

Obviously the cameras are set up with a place for the dot. Just switch to a grinning yellow "happy face".

 

[Bob Parsons]

Yes, I'd heard that M8s sent in for upgrade that had black dots (red replaced by owner) were being returned with red dots. I removed my black dot and replaced it with the original red before sending in the camera for upgrade.

Bob.

 

[Lilserenity]

Obviously the cameras are set up with a place for the dot. Just switch to a grinning yellow "happy face".

Yep I'd go for one of those 🙂

Or better still no daubings at all on the front. I like the fact my M2 looks pretty anonymous from the front. It's nice not walking with an advertisement in my hands or around my neck.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Ah, good old Leica. They are only building a few hundred M cameras a month and are worrying that a black dot might dilute their brand!

I'm with Liserenity, my M2 and M3 are just plain janes. 😉

 

[robklurfield]

Several German automakers (MB, Porsche and perhaps BMW) offer an option, for which one pays a few hundred dollars, known as something like "badge delete." For the extra money, they will take the model number off of the trunk lid. I certainly preferred my "badge-less" M4's plain face to my "red-dotted" M6 or even my new black-dotted M8. Yup, I'd much rather have the screw head of the M2, M3, M4, MP over the red dot.

 

[BillBingham2]

Global recession/depression and they are trying to limit choices to customers buying HIGH priced items. More options might just bring a few more sales from people who are well off and looking at a Leica camera as a tool/fashion/status sort of thing.

Silly, Silly, Silly.

Bob you should have taken off the black and sent it in naked to see what they did.

B2 (;->

 

[splitimageview]

I had the 'model designation delete' on my Boxster, but it was a no charge option.

There are solutions if people want black dots.

 

[Al Kaplan]

HEY CAMERALEATHER! Howzabout being the source for yellow smiley face dots? Leica couldn't claim trademark infringement and people could even stick 'em on Holgas!

 

[ferider]

The Germans have been fond of "deleting badges" for quite some time. This phenomenon started with MB, Porsche and BMW owners "deleting" their model numbers (especially the lower-end ones). I remember seeing this on the Autobahn back in the late 80's-90's, for example.

It's only done for model numbers denoting engine size. Not for the BMW white/blue disk or for the Mercedes star (all over the place on those cars).

A little like removing "M6" from a Leica, but keeping the red dot 🙂

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[back alley]

Obviously the cameras are set up with a place for the dot. Just switch to a grinning yellow "happy face".

lol!

i love it...

fyi, i cut the labels out of all my t-shirts...

 

[gavinlg]

Several German automakers (MB, Porsche and perhaps BMW) offer an option, for which one pays a few hundred dollars, known as something like "badge delete." For the extra money, they will take the model number off of the trunk lid. I certainly preferred my "badge-less" M4's plain face to my "red-dotted" M6 or even my new black-dotted M8. Yup, I'd much rather have the screw head of the M2, M3, M4, MP over the red dot.

BMW does this for free.

 

[robklurfield]

🙁

 

[robklurfield]

I seem to recall reading back in the 80's that some of the car co's did charge for this or maybe it was the dealers in the US and maybe it was only MB. So, in any case, I do stand corrected, especially on this being a no charge option now. My memory is shot. And, yes, the deleting was the model #/engine size, not the brand logo. I am a fan of understated and stealthy. Never liked the red dot. Don't really like the black one either, but hate to mess around with tape.

 

[Keith]

The little gold oval quality control sticker that says 'passed' has finally fallen off the prism housing of my Olympus OM-! ... I'm not sure I'm going to be able to cope with that loss! :angel:

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Keith, you should have glued it back on. You've destroyed its collector value! 😉

 

[swoop]

You'd think the camera division with its long history and obvious association with the brand would retain the Logo use rights. Anyway, Rd dots blow, I like the clean front like the MP and if anything just the classic Leica script logo sans dot.

 

[Ben Z]

Oh brother, I can't wait for the inevitable threads asking to speculate how much more a black-dot M8.2 will be worth now that they are "collector's items" 😀

FYI anyone could paint their red dot black or any color in about 30 seconds. Masking tape, some Testor's model car enamel, a micro-brush, a few dabs, and then a quick swipe with a finger to clean the silver "Leica" script before the paint dries. Easy as filling in the white engravings on lenses that have faded. In fact if you're really skilled with your hands you could probably forego masking it off.

And if anybody wants to remove the model badge from their recent (as in, from at least 1980) M-B or BMW car trunk, they're not screwed on, just held by double-sided tape. Just hold a length of dental floss taut between two hands and slip it under the badge and use a sawing motion while sliding from one side to the other. Then use a little isopropyl alcohol to clean away any shadow residue from the tape.

 

[DerekF]

Here's the procedure that Ben described in more detail, but is done by first removing the dot altogether:

http://www.nemeng.com/leica/017b.shtml

BTW, if this is true, it's pretty lame that Leica didn't secure the rights to use the black dot on the M8.2 in perpetuity since that's one of their "selling points" of the 8.2 over the 8.

 

[Ben Z]

Here's the procedure that Ben described in more detail, but is done by first removing the dot altogether:

http://www.nemeng.com/leica/017b.shtml

Uhh, I have to take issue with a few things on that method. First, using an
"artist's scalpel" (or any sharp object) to pry off the dot is an unnecessary risk. Pressing your finger (or a pencil eraser) hard against the dot and turning it right and left will work it loose to the point you can just lift it off with your nail. Second, you may or may not salvage enough adhesive for reattaching it without having it fall off later. A tiny, thin bit of Pliobond (rubber contact cement) would be a good idea if R&R'ing the dot. Last, there's no need to use an emery file to remove paint from the Leica script. A micro sponge just dampened with a little model paint thinner will do it. In fact a fingernail will do it, because model paint won't bond well to the shiny surface without a primer.

But really, if you mask off around the dot even someone with minimal skill could do it without removing the dot.