The face plate adornment Poll, or The Most Important Poll of our time!

[drewbarb]

Per Calzone's suggestion on a thread about the rumored Leica M 10 Monochrome, and since some folks seemed to get a little extra worked up over these things, here is the most important poll of the new year: What's the best adornment for the face plate of new Leica M cameras? Do you really like the red dot? Is the domed screw better than the flat one? Is this pure nonsense? We must know.

 

[css9450]

Obviously, the well-seasoned Leica collector will have already factored in the lighting in and around his display case/camera humidor. LED vs. fluorescent? High key vs. soft backlighting? Will the red dot be complemented by or clash harshly with the velvet shelf linings? So many different things to consider...

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I've always been a fan of slightly faded wood veneer. I think Leica should go for it. Maybe they could offer it as the "country squire" model, complete with a gas guzzling station wagon to carry the car around in.
Phil Forrest

 

[IdealCamera]

The many advantages of a flat screw should be obvious:

- It doesn’t stick out, like the domed screw on the M246, which is understood to pose the risk of gathering lint (at a minimum) or even harm someone’s knuckles;

- It’s stealthy, unlike a red dot, so it will save your Monochrom from being identified as an expensive camera and stolen next time you are in Piazza San Marco taking slow-motion photos of tourists feeding the pigeons;

- It’s Bauhaus. While this may seem like a ploy by the Marketing department to capitalize on historical achievements of unrelated people, it’s just your cynicism talking;

- Facilitates better pictures: folks will approach you to offer their own thoughts of whether flat, domed, or red is best and it’ll lead to candid views, like Gilden’s;

- Helps redistribute income: soon there will be a replica made by a third party, which will be exactly the same screw, except for most essentials, leading to endless discussion on forums whether the Leitz original was flatter.

 

[Emile de Leon]

How about a V...for video..

 

[aizan]

The 2nd best option isn't on the list!

- Matching dot color, e.g., Leica M8.2, or Leica M10 Zagato.

 

[Chris101]

I'd like a bigger screw, with the red Leica logo on the head.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I voted for the Red Dot, I don't understand the prejudice against it. Chris101's idea is even better.

 

[Pál_K]

I hate the effing red dot! It calls too much attention to itself. M3, etc., was nicely discreet.

 

[madNbad]

What about a small dome screw like the M4? If not, then a leaver to make adjustments on the fly.

 

[andyturk]

write in: "gaffer tape"

 

[Richard G]

Instead of a convex domed slotted screw or a flat larger screw, what about a transparent polycarbonate concave screw-in button with a milled edge to the rim for finger tightening and unscrewing? This way it can be suspected of having some important function and it obviates the unsettling (to some) possibility or indeed probability that a screw slot might not be perfectly horizontal, nor perfectly vertical.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Do you really like the red dot?

No.

Call me shallow but I don't think I would ever buy a Leica with a red dot (or any other colour dot). I've just never liked the dot branding. The engraved script on the top plate is much classier imo.

 

[raydm6]

Leica needs to create a special concave "L" Script screw-head (similar to the wax seals) and design a special rangefinder adjustment bit so people can lose them and pay extravagant fees to buy replacements on auction sites.

https://www.dagcamera.com/uploads/3/...9_i8_w640.jpeg

 

[Brian Atherton]

write in: "gaffer tape"

Therefore will have to abstain voting…

Some like the red dot, I don’t: black electrical tape for me.

 

[Rob-F]

I believe I have the final word on these things:

Red dots are no good. They must all be replaced with black dots.

However, if you must have a red dot, it should be on the vulcanite, as it is on the M4P, not on the top plate.

The screw must be small and domed. Actually the correct term is "oval head" but we will use "domed" in the present discussion, since Drewbarb said it.

The big ugly flat screw must be replaced immediately, because it's big and ugly. Ugh.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Back when I had an M8 I replaced the dot with a Yashica Electro logo. Then I did the same to an M9.
Phil Forrest

 

[sepiareverb]

Still no custom option? I'd love my cute little face right there.

 

[back alley]

i'd like to add a plastic screw to the list...

 

[css9450]

I wonder if that screw can be unscrewed and replaced with a little hex-head bolt? Or maybe a wing-nut.