Taping - do you do it? Show us!

I used to have my M7 and M9 taped up then I removed the tape. I like the taped up look better. It's more for aesthetics than anything. Anyone who know's cameras can spot a Leica. And even yesterday two people mistook my M9 for an old film camera.
 
I actually painted out the Dulux white poor excuse for engraving on my Pentax K 10D - not to make it less conspicuos , but it looked so awful !
 
Every time I see a taped camera I cringe!

I wish Al was still around to lambast this this concept with the ridicule it deserves!
 
I've done it in the past like so many people, and laughed at myself and stopped it after a week like so many people. I'll never do it again. I see no advantage of doing it.

Even If really really don't want to tell what camera I'm using for some reason, all three of my Leica's don't have front facing logo or dot or anything. Most of people won't even care, and if I bump into a camera geek in a cafe, he will know I'm using Leica with or without a logo anyway. Then again, what's the harm? I love my OMs, but most of people won't care that tiny olympus film SLR. Hassy? It's a Hassy, live with it.

If I go and shoot in poor and dangerous place, with or without the logo, risk of being robbed is the same.


One reason that I can understand of taping is your preferences on the look of camera as product design for your own pleasure. Some camera, for someone, would look "better" without while letters or other branding/IDs. If you have a newer Leica M with a red dot or model name in front, but you like the look of the camera without one, you might want to tape it so you can get the look you like without buying another camera. I happened to like the look of my cameras as they are.
 
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I just personally think it makes cameras look cool sometimes. Sometimes I'll put tape on the "canon" on the prism of my 5d, sometimes I don't. I don't think that it makes me less conspicuous.

Though I have to say I don't really like advertising logos. I realised recently that pretty much every T-shirt I own is a non print shirt, meaning it's just a solid color without any visible logos or type on it. I hate buying a t-shirt that has the brand logo on it - it's like being the companies own personal bitch.
I can sort of feel that way about cameras too. Some DSLRs have little badges on them like "super steady shot" and "Image stabilization" and crap like that - I don't want to look at that sort of clutter.
 
.. or you could always go t'other way ... LOL

I added the paper dots to cover a naff plastic insert to these ' new ' Zorkis from Moscow Photo .
Just for fun - why take it all so seeeriousleeee ?

deeeeeee
 

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Roger Hicks said:
Dear Bill,

An especially intriguing link for me, because I'd made the same points in my most recent AP column about theft of M-series Leicas with red dots. As far as I can see, my column (issue dated week ending Saturday 6th February) was about a week after his blog entry, though of course it was sent in several weeks before it was published. The two are so close in some ways that I'm glad neither of us can accuse the other of plagiarism.

As for sticky tape, here's a pic from a forthcoming short piece on my site about why I think it makes cameras more obtrusive, not less.

Cheers,

R.
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Hello Roger,

I had to laugh when I read your response. My original blog entry was triggered by a thread very much like this one over on the Leica Forum. I nearly fell off my chair when, a few days later, I read your column in AP...!

I was going to PM you here about it, but events conspired, and then this thread came up.

Clearly we are on the same wavelength... ;):D - I'm honoured!

Regards,

Bill
 
I will be receiving my M9 soon and I travel and work in other countries where theft can be a real problem. Yes, mine will be taped. I will take a ugly Leica to no Leica.
 
I've taken to carrying my cameras in a paper dunking donuts bag. It's an old bag. Even if you though you might like a donut you would not want to eat one out of that bag.
 
Personally, I think that most logos, including the Brand L dot, are excrescent. Hate 'em all. The Nike swoosh is the worst. The Apple apple is next worst. The Lacoste alligator should be turned into a handbag. I refrain from buying logoed stuff, and when there's no other choice I remove, obscure, or deface the logo. My attitude: you want me to be your walking billboard? Then you pay me.
 
BillP said:
...why?

Regards,

Bill
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Why am I getting an M9 or taping it?

I would tape it for some of the countries I go due to the fact they know what to look for in the brand name and will go to great lengths to steal it. I have been robbed in south Peru and it was a real hassle. There they would have someone spit at you and someone else say, or sorry, look what happened and start brushing you with their hand while a 3rd person would pickpocket or steal something. They stole from locals as well. In Santiago Chile they would have one arm inside of their jacket and it would be covered in a black cloth. On the bus or train they would use this "free" arm to steal from you. In China it wasn't too bad but there were areas where it didn't matter who you were, local or living there from another country, if they knew the item to be of value, you had to be on your toes. If something looks shoddy or well used, they don't bother with it. A nice new or known camera gets attention.
 
I can remember taping the logo on a starter camera so people wouldn't realize
what a cheap ass piece of junk I was using to take their pictures.

Used to tape the Nikon logo on the job to deter looky-loos who wanted to "talk camera"
 
I'm with BillP, I dislike logos. But I don't tape over 'em, I don't really care all that much. I'm still jealous of Akiva's no-logo a la carte M7 though.

I have to get some gaffer tape for my GF1 though...it's too slippery.
 
Hey, is that a Leica?
Nah, it's just an old Nikon.
(Disapointed) Oh. ... okay. (forgets about camera)

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