Taping over the name of your camera - why bother?

[sockeyed]

A number of people out there throw tape over the name of their camera, which is in some ways a futile exercise, I believe, if your goal is to stop theft. When I got my M6, I carefully cut some black tape and covered the "Leica M6" and the red dot.

I'm not sure how much I accomplished other than to make my camera look a bit more stealthy. I removed the tape some time ago, and I kind of like the look of that red dot.

See, I figure that if someone wants to steal a camera, they will steal it regardless of whether or not they can see the name brand. A camera inherently has some value, but just how much is probably determined after the theft.

I found that taping over the "Leica" on my M6 did one thing - it kept away the camera-ophiles who oooo'd and ahhhh'd over it.

We're fortunate as rangefinder users in that our tools are inherently more stealthy than zippy-little (noisy!) digicams and large DSLRs. I know that when I head out the door with my 30D and 17-55/2.8 IS lens on it, people are going to turn and look, ask questions, or duck.

I don't feel like I need to cover up the name on my Leica because I'll pretty well be ignored anyhow, particuarly when folks see me dropping a roll of film in it.

What are other's thoughts on this issue?

 

[Socke]

Everybody who knows Leicas spots one with or without tape, everybody else doesn't care about the camera and may just wonder why somebody uses a camera so broken that he had to tape it up.

OTOH, it could just be greed on the side of the tapers, with all those Holgas around which aren't only taped up but held together by rubber bands 🙂

 

[dll927]

I can't help feel that this is self-delusion. Taping over the name could well be as much an invitation, in that if someone is going to do it, it calls attention to the fact that it's an expensive camera. A little psychology, please.

 

[laptoprob]

My Leicas don't have the name screaming from the front. The CLE is small and inconspicuous and the Bessa T is just strange to most people.
No tape for me.

I painted the whole Leica, does that count?

If I were rich enough to endulge in an M8 it would be a black one I guess. Already taped...

 

[sherm]

Ben,

I've done both, and finally took the black tape off. I'm proud of my equipment and what I use. I don't think anyone here if they are honest about it minds talking about their gear when someone inquires as to what kind of camera you use. Just look at the thread of "camera pron" "look what came in the mail" or my favorite "show us your Leica M". Instead I just purchased some addtional insurance for all of my equipment and I don't worry anymore. Sure there are some that say you will be without your gear until you settle, but I've never felt that any of my gear wasn't replaceable. Hell I change gear about once every 3 months anyway so I never get too attached. 😀

Scott

 

[RangerRay]

Take piece of black ( or other ) tape. Use rounded ( or other ) template to round cut edges. Place white ( or other ) transfer, stick-on type block letters
on cut tape spelling CHEAP CAM ( or other ). Check your spelling, letter spacing, letter alignment, etc...Apply clear nail polish over entire area, up to and including round cut tape edges. Allow to dry, then place on camera.

 

[FrankS]

I'm not at all delusional, (I think.) I just like the blacked-out look. That's the only reason I need.

 

[photogdave]

I never understood this either. A Leicaphile, fan or thief, will recognize the camera, tape or no tape. Some models don't have the dot, some do. Who cares?
I get a kick out of the fact that lots of people are paying more for the DLux 3 over the Panasonic LX2 just to get that red dot, while all these M shooters are going to great pains to cover it up!

 

[Pablito]

It's a conceit.

 

[Tuolumne]

I was going to order an ala carte MP with no engraving, but decided it wasn't worth the price premium. Instead, I bought a black LHSA MP3. Lovely camera, deffinitely worth the premium, even if it does have engraving.

/T

 

[FrankS]

It's a conceit.

Why can't is simply be a subjective matter of taste, as in: I like the blacked-out look?

 

[rogue_designer]

I think the way *most* people try to justify it (ie. it's to prevent theft, or to make it less conspicuous) is a bit specious.

But whether delusional, conceited, or preferencial, all are valid reasons to that individual, regardless of what others think of them. It's not your camera...you don't have to black yours out to be in the club. So why care about what others do.

 

[emraphoto]

"I get a kick out of the fact that lots of people are paying more for the DLux 3 over the Panasonic LX2 just to get that red do"

they are different cameras... leica has different specs as to ir filters, color rendition, compression, noise reduction etc. etc. the final image is subjected to different parameters.
same body (ish) but different software...

 

[lament]

HCB did it, therefore so should YOU 🙂

 

[clintock]

I put tape where the strap rubs, and on the bottom plate. When using a bessa R a bit o tape covering the entire groundglass frame window brings up the 28mm frame.

The one time i had some stuff stolen and I called the cops, they asked if I had any stickers on the items (guitar amps). I knew the serial numbers, but they said it's way easier for them if there's an STP sticker or some such.

So if it's theft you're worried about, slap a Miffy the Bunny sticker on there or a maybe Ligtning McQueen.

 

[Pablito]

Hey I didn't say anyone was conceited....I said it was a conceit.

con·ceit n
1.a high opinion of your own qualities or abilities, especially one that is not justified.
Also called conceitedness
2.an imaginative poetic image, or writing that contains such an image, especially a comparison that is extreme or far-fetched
3.an object created from the imagination
4.an idea, opinion, or theme, especially one that is fanciful or unusual in some way
5.a witty, inventive, or amusing expression (archaic)

 

[photogdave]

"I get a kick out of the fact that lots of people are paying more for the DLux 3 over the Panasonic LX2 just to get that red do"

they are different cameras... leica has different specs as to ir filters, color rendition, compression, noise reduction etc. etc. the final image is subjected to different parameters.
same body (ish) but different software...

Only if you shoot in Jpeg. Anyway, I'm aware of those differences and more between the cameras (you get a 64MB card and Adobe Elements, and a 2 year international warranty with the Leica) but what I was trying to say is that people are buying it over the Panasonic because they want the Leica name.

 

[aizan]

doesn't it just make you feel so badass?

 

[PaulGuy]

I just like the way my camera looks with the black tape over the screaming white letters. I'm not trying to be cool or fool would be thieves. "Justifications" or "explainations" are absurd notions in this context. I am neither a trend setter nor a follower. I am neither "proud" nor "ashamed" of my camera. It's just a damn camera. If I could afford it I'd buy an ala carte MP with no script or engravings and the M4 style rewind. Why? Because I like the way it looks!

Hi Frank.

 

[FrankS]

Hi Paul.

As a general rule of thumb: Those doing the judging are the ones with the problem.