Taping over the name of your camera - why bother?

[nksyoon]

I was chimping a borrowed M8 in Trinidad de Cuba last year - some shifty looking guy stood next to me and started reading aloud off the back of the top plate "Leica Camera Germany" - I started looking for escape routes! No harm done though, he just wanted to sell me some cigars.

 

[Rico]

Anyone tape their lens bezels?

 

[Socke]

I was chimping a borrowed M8 in Trinidad de Cuba last year - some shifty looking guy stood next to me and started reading aloud off the back of the top plate "Leica Camera Germany" - I started looking for escape routes! No harm done though, he just wanted to sell me some cigars.

Hey, we all know that 3rd world countries like Cuba will save film for us, no computers and electricity and such. So digital cameras can't be of interest there 🙂

And more serious, some Cubans where as contract workers or students in the former GDR and speak german. Usualy those, who didn't get a job in cubas tourism industrie and certainly those who don't have relatives in Miami. Thus they have no access to pesos convertibiles or dollars and have to live with what the government can provide them. A pair of shoes is more than two or three month income for them.

Selling cigars, either stolen or fake, is one way to improve ones way of life. Illegal, yes, but what shall one do?

I'd be more concerned in certain parts of Havana than in Trinidad, or Matanzas which is where I stayed when I'm was in Cuba.

http://www.hett.org/v/Cuba_2004/

 

[anglophone1]

Proven fact is that peoples eyes are immediately drawn towards script [whatever it says] taping over the white on black script [as I do on all my cameras] means that they draw a subjects eye less , just an anonymous black lump[as am I]
Try putting a taped and untaped camera next to each other and looking at them across a room, you'll see what I mean!
Clive

 

[Edward Felcher]

1) If you had a holographic projector that could make your Leica look like a cheap Canon point and shoot, you would not do it, because your self-image demands you use a Leica.

2) Taping is just another form of ornamental jewelry that defines a certain esoteric social group. Whether the social group is real or imaginary is debatable.

3) It's a conceit.

Most of you here WOULD get better pictures with a point and shoot.

I use the Leica and old rangefinder equipment because I enjoy it. I like using all the old equipment.

I'm not delusional that the images I obtain are technically any order of magnitude better than those that can be made with cheaper, mass produced equipment, or that it somehow makes me superior or a better photographer.

 

[Edward Felcher]

You mean someone actually sells a black Leica dot???

How much, pray tell, do these cost?

 

[Mr Ho]

I think that the red Leica dot is sticking out to much. I havent taped mine, but I have a black dot on its way from Don.

Sorry, but who's Don?

 

[Edward Felcher]

He is an Indian Swami named Don Ranimishibooti. He was thrown out of the Holy Order of Swamis for advocating that Hindus use a black dot on their foreheads rather than a red dot.

After public humiliation and an attempted drowning in the Ganges, he set up his own "Temple of Xtasy" in Goa and now sells black dots for a donation to his fund for Virgins.

 

[FrankS]

1) If you had a holographic projector that could make your Leica look like a cheap Canon point and shoot, you would not do it, because your self-image demands you use a Leica.

2) Taping is just another form of ornamental jewelry that defines a certain esoteric social group. Whether the social group is real or imaginary is debatable.

3) It's a conceit.

Most of you here WOULD get better pictures with a point and shoot.

I use the Leica and old rangefinder equipment because I enjoy it. I like using all the old equipment.

I'm not delusional that the images I obtain are technically any order of magnitude better than those that can be made with cheaper, mass produced equipment, or that it somehow makes me superior or a better photographer.

Edward, I enjoyed/respected our thoughts on the AL portrait of the Queen, but on this topic you make me wonder about the roots of your judgementalism.

 

[Edward Felcher]

A lot of people here take their equipment far too seriously and ascribe too many quasi-mystical qualities to mechanical objects. Just deflating some pompous egos.

Seriously, a good photographer will get excellent images with even minimally adequate equipment.

If you like equipment as costume jewelry, that's perfectly fine with me, but then lets call it for what it is.

Many people not really interested in photography per se will obsess over equipment because it reinforces their self-image as a "discerning person of taste and quality". At that point, the equipment becomes a "lifestyle enhancement" and not a tool for producing images.

 

[Harry Lime]

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.

In my experience it does make a difference.

I sometimes tape my M's with some really ugly looking brown packing tape (or black gaffers tape) and sling a few ruber bands around the body, when go to shoot in certain shady areas. Makes it look like the thing is barely hanging on. I've actually had people kid me about my 'wreck' of a camera, that costs more than some people's car.

In this day and age people are very brand concious. They may not know what a Nikon or Leica actually looks like, but they do recognize brand names and the value associated with them.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[FrankS]

A lot of people here take their equipment far too seriously and ascribe too many quasi-mystical qualities to mechanical objects. Just deflating some pompous egos.

Seriously, a good photographer will get excellent images with even minimally adequate equipment.

If you like equipment as costume jewelry, that's perfectly fine with me, but then lets call it for what it is.

Many people not really interested in photography per se will obsess over equipment because it reinforces their self-image as a "discerning person of taste and quality". At that point, the equipment becomes a "lifestyle enhancement" and not a tool for producing images.

I have no idea how you're making these wild assumptions based on the fact that some people like a blacked-out look. There must be some psychological projection involved. Also, have you heard of reverse snobbery? That's the way you come across to me. Again, it's people that are judgemental that have the issues.

 

[emraphoto]

1) If you had a holographic projector that could make your Leica look like a cheap Canon point and shoot, you would not do it, because your self-image demands you use a Leica.

2) Taping is just another form of ornamental jewelry that defines a certain esoteric social group. Whether the social group is real or imaginary is debatable.

3) It's a conceit.

Most of you here WOULD get better pictures with a point and shoot.

I use the Leica and old rangefinder equipment because I enjoy it. I like using all the old equipment.

I'm not delusional that the images I obtain are technically any order of magnitude better than those that can be made with cheaper, mass produced equipment, or that it somehow makes me superior or a better photographer.

??? seriously... without knowing diddly squat about my abilities and/or having little to no access to any work i have produced... what brings you to the conclusion that i would be better off with a point and shoot? and furthermore... how did we get from "tape or no tape" to thinly veiled insults?

 

[sherm]

😀

A lot of people here take their equipment far too seriously and ascribe too many quasi-mystical qualities to mechanical objects. Just deflating some pompous egos.

Seriously, a good photographer will get excellent images with even minimally adequate equipment.

If you like equipment as costume jewelry, that's perfectly fine with me, but then lets call it for what it is.

Many people not really interested in photography per se will obsess over equipment because it reinforces their self-image as a "discernng person of taste and quality". At that point, the equipment becomes a "lifestyle enhancement" and not a tool for producing images.

Ed,

This is great! Nothing like calling it as you see it. You can't "sugar coat" the truth and unfortunately it may come off as being judgmental to those who realize that this is exactly what they're doing with the equipment. This is a lot like the guy who has the the new $ 500.00 Nike driver..... he looks like he knows what he's doing until he chunks it off the first tee. 😀

 

[ferider]

... that defines a certain esoteric social group

I want to be a member !!! :bang: 😀 😀

Seriously though

- the tape is hardly visible on a black body
- while I don't think it prevents theft, I do get way less comments about my camera, which I like. Many people know what a Leica is but don't recognize it, in my experience (blondes in particular 🙂 )
- another reason why I do it ? ... because I can 🙂

Roland.

PS: not a "show me ..." photo, just to demonstrate the outfit (where's the tape ?)

 

[sherm]

I have no idea how you're making these wild assumptions based on the fact that some people like a blacked-out look. There must be some psychological projection involved. Also, have you heard of reverse snobbery? That's the way you come across to me. Again, it's people that are judgemental that have the issues.

Frank, I can see where you would call these assumptions, but where does it become judgemental? All he's doing according to your latest email is making assumptions.

I'm only trying to understand the connection.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[OurManInTangier]

I'm a relatively new Leica owner ( last five months ) and when I heard, on this site, about people taping up their red dots etc due to camera recognition, people hassling them with questions and theft etc I thought maybe I should think about doing it. Well five months have passed, I didn't get round to buying any black tape and not once has anyone taken the slightest bit of notice of me.


As a result I haven't bothered and won't bother. Though if others wish to cover their cameras for whatever reason - why should I give a crap? Do what you will.

I do however agree with the sentiments raised that there are too many people generally that are only really interested, or at least only show their interest, in the possesion of a brand or latest technology. I am constantly interupted, usually whilst working with my DSLR's, by people who seem only interested in showing their knowledge of pixels, techy knowhow and ability to read photography magazines. In the twelve years I've worked professionally and had this happen I have never had a conversation with anyone about composition, light, subject matter or creativity. Or even photography in any sense other than as a technology or equipment. Its a shame but then maybe I should just be pleased that, generally, I'm left to get on with my own thing.


Having diverted away from the topic, I shall steer myself back on course.

If they made all cameras without badges and logos I'd be happy as I too am someone that likes the pure black look but, it really doesn't bother me or count for much and I'm obviously too tight or broke to spend money on a roll of tape

 

[sherm]

??? seriously... without knowing diddly squat about my abilities and/or having little to no access to any work i have produced... what brings you to the conclusion that i would be better off with a point and shoot? and furthermore... how did we get from "tape or no tape" to thinly veiled insults?

Emra,

Ed didn't direct his comments to you...... These are only his observations which he is entitled to without fear of him being labled judgemental or insulting. Also, I'm sure that you have read articles by other pro's who talk about the fact that it's the "craft" or "art" of photography and not whether it's film, digital, Leica,Voigtlander and so on....................

As my good friend Bill Murray said in the movie "Stripes", lighten up Frances...😉

 

[FrankS]

😀


Ed,

This is great! Nothing like calling it as you see it. You can't "sugar coat" the truth and unfortunately it may come off as being judgmental to those who realize that this is exactly what they're doing with the equipment. This is a lot like the guy who has the the new $ 500.00 Nike driver..... he looks like he knows what he's doing until he chunks it off the first tee. 😀

I really resent this. You cannot determine "the truth" or divine my motivation. This thread with its character attacks belongs on PNet.