B
bert26
Guest
Ohh I also put gaffer tape on the base plate to keep it from potentially sliding around when setting it down.
Unpopular opinion: “stealth” tape on cameras
- Thread starter Takkun
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dourbalistar
Buy more film
You're doing it all wrong! You need to use black tape as your lens, not on your lens. 😉
https://www.35mmc.com/06/06/2019/th...leica-and-gaffa-tape-as-a-lens-by-john-scott/
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
This is great! Does Leica make gaffer tape? I only use Leica accessories on my camera.
oldwino
Well-known
I think the taping of logos thing probably started with people seeing logos taped over in TV and movies (to prevent giving out free advertising, eg. Rear Window style) and thought there must be some practical reason for doing so, since all the "pros" were doing it on TV. You don't want to look unprofessional do you?
How could he handhold that thing? With no IBIS?!?
besk
Well-known
I believe the tape over the writing makes the camera less conspicuous. Also,
unless a potential thief knows cameras well the tape reduces the chance that he would recognize that my camera is a Leica and worth stealing.
So count me with those who put tape of the logos and writing. I even put silver tape on a chrome M6.
unless a potential thief knows cameras well the tape reduces the chance that he would recognize that my camera is a Leica and worth stealing.
So count me with those who put tape of the logos and writing. I even put silver tape on a chrome M6.
GulfCoastPhotog
Member
Hmm have never seen a camera with logo taped and don't do it myself. I rarely buy new equipment but cost is my reason. And if I ever see one it certainly want bother me.
David
Also I will add that not to concern with anyone taking my camera, I never leave home with out my Glock.
David
Also I will add that not to concern with anyone taking my camera, I never leave home with out my Glock.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I can guarantee that tape doesn't make a camera less conspicuous. It's not like covering your head with your towell in fear from the bug blatterbeast of Trall, in that if you don't see it, it won't see you. But if you believe so, more power to you.
If you're pointing something at someone and looking at them with it, they may notice you and it is not down to the little piece of tape covering up your brand loyalty to be the arbiter of that. As for criminals who would steal your camera, they don't care what brand it is. I once saw my neighbor's car had it's rear window broken and a roll of paper towels stolen from inside the car. That's all that was taken. The thief didn't care if they were bounty, viva or brawny. Putting tape over the label of the paper towels wouldn't have prevented the theft. If something has value, it can be stolen. No one cares what brand marque you have under that tape which they will happily peel off before fencing it for $50.
So, tape away to your heart's content but know that it doesn't do a bit of good for your shooting or your security. If that were the case, I wouldn't have been shot at as many times as I was when I was in Iraq because I had tape covering up shiny and vulnerable bits of my gear. I was asked to cover logos because I was in a capacity where I would be representing the Navy in press conferences as a shooter so we didn't want to be endorsing a brand. So maybe if I didn't have the tape they would have hit their mark... Oooh superstition.
Phil Forrest
If you're pointing something at someone and looking at them with it, they may notice you and it is not down to the little piece of tape covering up your brand loyalty to be the arbiter of that. As for criminals who would steal your camera, they don't care what brand it is. I once saw my neighbor's car had it's rear window broken and a roll of paper towels stolen from inside the car. That's all that was taken. The thief didn't care if they were bounty, viva or brawny. Putting tape over the label of the paper towels wouldn't have prevented the theft. If something has value, it can be stolen. No one cares what brand marque you have under that tape which they will happily peel off before fencing it for $50.
So, tape away to your heart's content but know that it doesn't do a bit of good for your shooting or your security. If that were the case, I wouldn't have been shot at as many times as I was when I was in Iraq because I had tape covering up shiny and vulnerable bits of my gear. I was asked to cover logos because I was in a capacity where I would be representing the Navy in press conferences as a shooter so we didn't want to be endorsing a brand. So maybe if I didn't have the tape they would have hit their mark... Oooh superstition.
Phil Forrest
besk
Well-known
You make some good points - I just don't agree with you.
In my travels in eastern Europe I want to reduce the chances of a problem. Two years ago I had a group of young men take particular notice of my Rolleiflex. And one of them definitely knew what it was.
In my travels in eastern Europe I want to reduce the chances of a problem. Two years ago I had a group of young men take particular notice of my Rolleiflex. And one of them definitely knew what it was.
TenEleven
Well-known
Anyone worth his salt will immediately know what your camera is anyway. For example a M-Leicas or the above-mentioned Rolleiflex shape is so iconic that most would-be-thieves would recognize it no matter how much tape you paste on it. As do other togs, so you would still be hit up for a chat.
Then there's the laughable "stealth" factor. C'mon. What people notice about me when I'm shooting street is the 6' tall man walking towards them while looking at them... oh he also has a camera in his hand. What is tape going to change of this? Nothing. Exactly nothing at all.
Then there's the laughable "stealth" factor. C'mon. What people notice about me when I'm shooting street is the 6' tall man walking towards them while looking at them... oh he also has a camera in his hand. What is tape going to change of this? Nothing. Exactly nothing at all.
wwfloyd
Well-known
I am enjoying the topic. Pet peeves are interesting, and may be shared, or debated. We all have 'em, some stranger than others.
Huss
Veteran
HAHAHAHA, yeah, taping up the Rolleiflex logo would make any difference.
"Oleg, take his Rolleiflex"
'Igor, don't bother, it has the Xenotar lens, we only take the ones with the Planar"
"Good point - unless he can show that Harry Fleenor CLA'd it! We'll take a Lubitel if Harry so much as sneezed on it"
People steal sh1t. The one dood may have recognized it because he is a Vivian Maier fan.
Siluro
Member
Absolutely.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
"Togs" now there is something far worse than tape.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I fold.
Phil Forrest
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
That's not a VXIIb though. 🙂
As for how pointless it is, certain countries have been very strict about product placement in broadcasts in the past (as well studios wouldn't show products from competing companies) so hiding brand names, no matter how silly, has very much been a thing in movies and TV. You still see it sometimes today when they blur out a T shirt or hat on reality TV or in an on-the-street interview. Every penny a billion dollar corporation can squeeze I guess.
Gadfly21
Newbie
This debate doesn't end. But it's fun to read the reactions.
I tape up everything from my $45 Nikon F80 to a $1500 Leica M6. I have not run quantitative experiments, but in my experience, there IS a difference in how people approach you.
No, you are not more "stealthy"- I make no pretenses. Everybody will notice your camera regardless of tape or color. However, blacked-out cameras invite less conversation and embarrassing statements from every layperson around.
Nobody has once EVER pointed out my M6 when it has had tape, but as soon as that silly dot is exposed, everyone and their dad has to say the same thing: "Golly, that's a Leica? Must be expensive!". I feel that I have to play the ignoramus: "Huh, I wouldn't know" or "Nah, it's just an old film one". My friend refused to touch it when I handed it over to him to play with because it "was too precious".
The dot might not necessarily attract more attention, but it does have more celebrity.
I tape up everything from my $45 Nikon F80 to a $1500 Leica M6. I have not run quantitative experiments, but in my experience, there IS a difference in how people approach you.
No, you are not more "stealthy"- I make no pretenses. Everybody will notice your camera regardless of tape or color. However, blacked-out cameras invite less conversation and embarrassing statements from every layperson around.
Nobody has once EVER pointed out my M6 when it has had tape, but as soon as that silly dot is exposed, everyone and their dad has to say the same thing: "Golly, that's a Leica? Must be expensive!". I feel that I have to play the ignoramus: "Huh, I wouldn't know" or "Nah, it's just an old film one". My friend refused to touch it when I handed it over to him to play with because it "was too precious".
The dot might not necessarily attract more attention, but it does have more celebrity.
pyeh
Member of good standing
I don't tape up my cameras but I do think that big white names and bright red logos and stripes are distracting to both me and the subject, and unnecessary from an industrial design point of view.
The only reason I don't tape them up or black them out is because I think tape and bodgy paint are just as distracting.
The only reason I don't tape them up or black them out is because I think tape and bodgy paint are just as distracting.
RichC
Well-known
I always tape my cameras. But not for stealth or security - I don't believe for one moment blacking out the logo makes you invisible, or that thieves are so discerning as to turn down an opportunity to nick any camera...
However, I refuse to be a walking billboard and provide free advertising! I generally remove logos I consider too prominent from anything I own.
My Sony A7R II:
However, I refuse to be a walking billboard and provide free advertising! I generally remove logos I consider too prominent from anything I own.
My Sony A7R II:
Archlich
Well-known
It's like a wedding ring. Which quenches the fire of anxiety.
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