Unpopular opinion: “stealth” tape on cameras

[Takkun]

I was down in Portland for a gallery reception this weekend, and while I didn’t get a lot of shooting in, I did meet a lot of artists and photographers and had some valuable conversations.

One such gentleman, whom I ran into on the sidelines of a parade, was absolutely floored I didn’t have my cameras wrapped in electrical tape, unlike his...well, whatever was under all those layers.

(He also had a lot of other strange comments I didn’t quite agree with, but that’s for another thread!)

I’ve always found the taping-over-the-logo thing a bit pretentious, as if one is just back from some war-torn country. I don’t know what I find more irksome, the giant new SLR with vertical grip, or the humble beater camera. The former seems comically insignificant, and the latter a bit pointless.

I never really felt like it was an issue anywhere I’ve traveled, at least in the US, to cover up the logo either for security or stealthiness. Either people notice you have a camera or they don’t, and the only people that pay attention to a logo are...other photographers.
Over the years I’ve lived and visited some colorful neighborhoods and feel like I have a good feel of when not to have a camera out, and it seems logical that if you’re going to get pickpocketed or ripped off, your average criminal isn’t looking for brand names on first sight.

But I do see the appeal of the Leica P models with a little more subdued styling, and the affinity for black paint cameras.

How popular is this practice here, and what’s your reasoning?

 

[pvdhaar]

I never really felt like it was an issue anywhere I’ve traveled, at least in the US, to cover up the logo either for security or stealthiness. Either people notice you have a camera or they don’t, and the only people that pay attention to a logo are...other photographers.

The same over here.. No-one seems to care

 

[Keith]

I think it's only done by people on photography forums ... like a lot of dumb stuff! 😀

 

[johannielscom]

The logo on my Sony A7 is taped. The logos on my film cameras are exposed.

I like people to leave me alone and exposing the Sony logo gets me all kinds of chitchat from people who wanna discuss their own brand, be it Sony, Fujifilm, Canon, Nikon etc.
The film cameras don’t invoke a conversation, people are sufficiently intimidated by them. Every now and then somebody says ‘hey is that a Hasselblad’ when they see my exposed-logo Rolleiflex... :bang:

 

[David Hughes]

It's like taking the badges off of cars but cheaper I guess...


Regards, David

 

[emraphoto]

Im not sure what's more puzzling, the folks who tape over logos on their cameras or the folks who end up in a tizzy because of it?

 

[Bill Clark]

I think it's only done by people on photography forums ... like a lot of dumb stuff!

That is true. I agree with you.

I believe, from working several hundred various events, people like to see the photographs made. Not as much concern about equipment. The few who asked about equipment usually asked about Pocket Wizards than anything else.

 

[Dralowid]

Suntan cream. Suntan cream takes the printed lettering off cameras and even takes the black paint out of the engraved lettering on a chrome M6.

Makes you wonder what it does to your face.

 

[Out to Lunch]

...and of course, the diehards of camouflage carry their taped-up camera in a diaper bag...

 

[Fjäll]

Branding in general is pointless to me. I have no affiliation with any brand what so ever. I prefer my cameras a bit like I prefer my clothing. Clean and without branding.

I removed the white paint on my Leica M4-P for aesthetic reasons only. The M-A would be a good solution in that regard but the price difference is too extreme.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Either people notice you have a camera or they don’t, and the only people that pay attention to a logo are...other photographers.

Yep.


I think taping over the logo makes about as much sense as using black paint bodies for street because 'stealth'...

 

[helen.HH]

Black tape not for Me...

I get stopoed alot with comments
"oh You have a Leica"
"Beautiful camera"
"A Film Camera"

 

[kuuan]

The logo on my Sony A7 is taped.....
...I like people to leave me alone and exposing the Sony logo gets me all kinds of chitchat from people who wanna discuss their own brand, be it Sony, Fujifilm, Canon, Nikon etc...

For similar reason I taped over the logo of my Sony A7, the first camera I ever did that, not on my Sony NEX5n and RX100III which don't cause the same reaction as much.

 

[Dguebey]

 

[Axel]

There may be a lot of reasons to "black out" brand names and / or type descriptions from any kind of device.

One may be the commercial interest in showing the brand names a whole life around the world.

Who takes adavantage from a big brand sign? The manufacturer. Does he pay for this marketing method? Normally not.


What is the advantage for a camera owner to show everybody that he uses a xxyx-device?
Something between vanity and "me too"?


For me there is no sense in wearing around brandnames for free.
So from time to time it comes to a small piece of black tape or a nice painting on my devices over the places where
manufacturers left their scent mark.

 

[KenR]

If you carry your camera in a diaper bag it makes sense to camouflage the gear with a couple of dirty diapers at the top.

 

[Siluro]

When I had an M6 I taped over the "Leica M6" script on the front because, well, I didn't like the look of it! Now I have an M4 and it looks amazing just how it is.

But the main thing is - who cares? Do whatever makes you happy.

 

[ptpdprinter]

But the main thing is - who cares?

The tape police. You rarely see a post mocking people who don't tape over their logos.

 

[css9450]

I never gave a thought to logos or brand names on stuff I buy. My car has a Chevy emblem on the front of it, but who cares? Cars (and cameras) have had logos on them for pretty much forever.

Speaking of cars.... I'm waiting for someone to totally wrap their camera in about fifty layers of tape, transforming its shape into something completely unrecognizeable. Like what the auto manufacturers do when they want to road-test the new, upcoming (and still secret) new models. Is that a Leica? A Sony? A Fuji? Can't tell when its shaped like a pumpkin because of all the tape.

 

[DanskDynamit]

I don't do it, I don't care if others do it.