Roger Hicks
Veteran
Leica All Day
Veteran
Interesting topic....While some put tape to cover up their dot or replace the red dot with a black, while others pay extra to have the top plate of an mp/m7 engraved when they do ala carte 
I admit, at one point, I taped over my red dot, then removed it some time later....I also replaced the red dot on my black paint m6ttl to black....now, i could care less. The original red dot on my chrome m6ttl is about only 30% red, the rest of the paint has worn off due to natural wear, and the black fill in paint on the m6ttl has also been removed from natural wear too.
To each their own, but I agree with the above comments, I don't feel it matters at all as far as getting noticed goes, body language and "style" will go A LOT further as far as getting the photos you want.
cheers, michael
I admit, at one point, I taped over my red dot, then removed it some time later....I also replaced the red dot on my black paint m6ttl to black....now, i could care less. The original red dot on my chrome m6ttl is about only 30% red, the rest of the paint has worn off due to natural wear, and the black fill in paint on the m6ttl has also been removed from natural wear too.
To each their own, but I agree with the above comments, I don't feel it matters at all as far as getting noticed goes, body language and "style" will go A LOT further as far as getting the photos you want.
cheers, michael
froyd
Veteran
Interesting point. I would guess that taping up the logo is an affectation peculiar to photographers as opposed to scientific/technical Leica equipment users.
froyd
Veteran
Too bad the ebay link in the OP got replaced by Viglink. That picture was priceless. Let me try to re-link it.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Surely the real point of buying a Leica is to take pictures with it. It's only a camera, for heaven's sake. Why would any sane person be proud of something any fool could buy if they had enough money?What is point of buying a Leica, if you cannot be proud of it!
I have met other owners, becoming dear friends because of use of a Leica. It is a special camera, so different in usage than SLR or DSLR.
Taping a silly idea. Thieves know what a "Leica" is. My M3 was taped at one stage, being chrome and shiny, in "places of stormy history".
Now simply not worth doing, vulcanite peeling off. Chrome worn to brass.
Even my M6TTL not in pristine condition. Used and used.
So to those who envy us owners, save up and buy one!:angel:
Forty years ago I was proud of spotting/buying cameras that were historically significant (far from all of them Leicas) but the mere fact of owning a run of the mill Leica is hardly any reason for pride.
Cheers,
R.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Well, yes. Who is EVER going to notice a Leitz theodolite? Even fewer people than notice Leica cameras.
Cheers,
R.
theblackbrick
Member
Well, just to add my two cents ...
Thieves are very aware of what the red dot means in $. Trust me the do their due diligence and make sure they know what is worth to steal. Now, they are not stupid and tape is not going to fool anybody.
Stealthiness ... Like somebody said before, body language is way more important than dots and tapes.
In my particular case, I tape my cameras, not only Leica but Fuji too and in the past even my Nikon. Reasons behind it. With the Nikon it was more of a practical reason, i didn't want the pop up flash on my D700 to pop by accident. Fuji X100T, I taped the top plate where is says Fujinon blah blah, just because I didn't like it; and the bottom plate to cover the speaker grid to protect it from water, dust, ... With my M4-2 (no red dot on that camera) I taped all the Leica/Leitz branding for the same reason I taped the Fuji, I just don't like it. I guess I like my cameras as plain as possible, no branding or anything. But that is a purely aesthetic reason.
I recently bought a M262 used and the previous owner replaced the red dot for a black one, he included the original red dot too, but I'm not going to change it back. I haven't taped yet the black one because I kind of like the cleanliness of the camera like that all black but the little silver leica brand in the dot is kind of annoying me so I might end up taping it or just painting it black. Like I said before is all pure aesthetics, i like my cameras as plain looking as possible.
So I'm not going to tell anyone to tape or not their cameras. You do you. Whatever you like is fine with me.
Thieves are very aware of what the red dot means in $. Trust me the do their due diligence and make sure they know what is worth to steal. Now, they are not stupid and tape is not going to fool anybody.
Stealthiness ... Like somebody said before, body language is way more important than dots and tapes.
In my particular case, I tape my cameras, not only Leica but Fuji too and in the past even my Nikon. Reasons behind it. With the Nikon it was more of a practical reason, i didn't want the pop up flash on my D700 to pop by accident. Fuji X100T, I taped the top plate where is says Fujinon blah blah, just because I didn't like it; and the bottom plate to cover the speaker grid to protect it from water, dust, ... With my M4-2 (no red dot on that camera) I taped all the Leica/Leitz branding for the same reason I taped the Fuji, I just don't like it. I guess I like my cameras as plain as possible, no branding or anything. But that is a purely aesthetic reason.
I recently bought a M262 used and the previous owner replaced the red dot for a black one, he included the original red dot too, but I'm not going to change it back. I haven't taped yet the black one because I kind of like the cleanliness of the camera like that all black but the little silver leica brand in the dot is kind of annoying me so I might end up taping it or just painting it black. Like I said before is all pure aesthetics, i like my cameras as plain looking as possible.
So I'm not going to tell anyone to tape or not their cameras. You do you. Whatever you like is fine with me.