Why do some people black out branding on their gear

[Disaster_Area]

Been surfing around some of the various "Show your XXXXXX gear" threads, and I've noticed something that seems to be solely a RF kinda thing. Many people black out or tape over or cover up in some way the branding on their lens's and bodies. This doesnt seem to be a SLR user type thing but somewhat common among the RF crowd. What exactly is the purpose? Is the thinking...

- I'll black out the "Leica" because if anyone knows camera's they'll KNOW I'm carrying a Leica

- If a theif doesnt see Leica they'll assume its not worth stealing

- I dont own a Leica, but if people dont SEE its not a Leica they might think it is

- I dont want to advertise what my gear is because they're not getting free advertising out of me

- I just like the look of sleek all black gear without distracting logos

- my camera is a tool and not a fashion accessory or status symbol

- I dont want my own magic combination of lens and body revealed to the passer by

or am I way off base and have missed the purpose completely in the above options. I'm just curious because it reveals something about the thought process of RF photographers and what sets them apart from SLR users.

 

[emraphoto]

actually mr nachteway has been known to black out the ole "canon" symbol. i don't think it's entirely a rf thing.
when i was doing media work i blacked out the d1x and nikon symbols... i guess it's just the "lowest profile possible" kind of thing for me. i have often shot in "dodgy" places and i am soon to do so again. maybe it's just my own peace of mind but so far i have been pretty lucky so i'm going to keep it up.

 

[colyn]

Many think it prevents theft..

 

[RayPA]

Stealth. good enough for HCB, good enough for any of us looking to stealth a camera. One reason for the popularity of black cameras. Better than wrapping it in a hanky and pretending to blow your nose (which I heard was a technique HCB used).

.

 

[luketrash]

I saw a nokton lens posted in the classifieds with everything blacked out. I don't get that really since it's a nice lens. No need to devalue it by x dollars.

Then again, owners are free to do whatever they want ;-)

You can bet that everything I own is free of my own handiwork with black paint. I do cut off the badges on my camera bags so they just look like plain bags rather than lowepro or tamrac or whatever.

If my stuff is sitting in my car, I don't need anyone breaking in to steal it.

As far as people go? I don't take photos of people typically and I've never had a building or a rock yell at me for shooting it with a particular brand of camera.

 

[emraphoto]

hmmm... whats that statistic about folks gettin it from their own weapon?

 

[emraphoto]

even though sometimes i wish i had a real big stick... wink, wink

 

[grduprey]

actually mr nachteway has been known to black out the ole "canon" symbol. i don't think it's entirely a rf thing.
when i was doing media work i blacked out the d1x and nikon symbols... i guess it's just the "lowest profile possible" kind of thing for me. i have often shot in "dodgy" places and i am soon to do so again. maybe it's just my own peace of mind but so far i have been pretty lucky so i'm going to keep it up.

Personally this practice is a waste of time and very foolish. A question, Why black out the name on the body and not black out the name and lettering on the lenses? These markings could also distract a subject also by the same reasoning about the name on the body. As for knowing the camera is a Leica, give me a break, hardly no one these days even knows what a Leica even is or what the name means. My experience shows that I am hardly ever asked about the camera or even told "Oh, You have a Leica." It is just another camera to 99% of the people. Do you remove the name on your car, refrigerator, TV, remove the labels on your clothing, logos from your computers and printers? A complete waste of time and effort.

Gene

 

[Ken Ford]

I just prefer them blacked out. I also blacked out my Nikons when I was a working PJ - it cut w-a-y down on the interruptions and questions from people when I was trying to work.

 

[gavinlg]

Contrary to what the haters say, it 100% DOES make the camera look much more inconspicuous.
Some people also like the way it looks - me included. It turns the camera into merely a tool - no brand/marketing/advertising to catch the eye, just a black lump of solids that serves for only one purpose.

When I did a lot of advertising/interior photography with a canon 30d, I would get numerous snooty cliental that would know enough about cameras to know that the 30d wasn't canons "professional" model in the lineup, and they would make constant comments.... "oh just a 30d huh? - just a cheapie..." or "aren't professionals meant to use the 1d?"
Once I covered the 30d and the canon logo in black tape, not one more comment is asked. Covering the logo and brand detaches opinion and brand recognition, and it becomes just a camera, instead of the amateur end canon camera which is only 8 megapixels.

 

[emraphoto]

Personally this practice is a waste of time and very foolish. A question, Why black out the name on the body and not black out the name and lettering on the lenses? These markings could also distract a subject also by the same reasoning about the name on the body. As for knowing the camera is a Leica, give me a break, hardly no one these days even knows what a Leica even is or what the name means. My experience shows that I am hardly ever asked about the camera or even told "Oh, You have a Leica." It is just another camera to 99% of the people. Do you remove the name on your car, refrigerator, TV, remove the labels on your clothing, logos from your computers and printers? A complete waste of time and effort.

Gene

how exactly have you come to the conclusion that it's foolish and/or a waste of time? i have worked EXTENSIVELY in very dodgy places and have firmly come to the belief that it has been beneficial for me.
as far as the average joe's not knowing it's a leica... i actually think that's a naieve presumtion. about two years ago i shot some work pertaining to drug addicts. i met a fella who had an extensive record for burglary, robbery, assault and assault with a deadly weapon. one of the very first things he said upon meeting me was... "an m6 hey?". before he had gone of the rails he was a keen amateur photographer. in the end, after a long hospital stay, he got back on track and now remains a friend of sorts. he called me tonight to talk about the canon g9 and the last copy of blackandwhite photography (uk) as i give him my past issue's.
point being... it was very, very clear to me he knew EXACTLY what a leica was and what a leica was worth. a man who went to jail for trying to kill someone with a shotgun for a dime bag.
i've had people in the streets of paris, guatemala city, sofia stop me and want to discuss the "leica". it does happen in my experience and i prefer to try my best to avoid it.

 

[brachal]

My wife likes to use a Holga every now and then. She's had to cover the logo with black electrician's tape to keep "holga geeks" from constantly pestering her.

 

[kipkeston]

I cover it so nobody says anything and I can tell them it's my grandpa's toy camera.

 

[PhotoMat]

...everyone was looking directly at my camera in every shot and not at the ladies on the runway ...

Those people need help! Who would rather look at a camera instead of a beautiful woman?

(Scratching head and mumbling to self ...)

 

[Pablito]

This topic has been discussed to death here in many other threads, with folks geting really worked up defending their particular choice. Maybe the camera manufacturers could offer a non-branded option. For a "small fee" you could have a "stealth" version that would require no tape or sharpie maker at all. This might even help out ailing Leica since they'd make a little more profit per unit, expecially since in theory the cameras without the engraving would be cheaper to manufacture. 😀

 

[Pablito]

My wife likes to use a Holga every now and then. She's had to cover the logo with black electrician's tape to keep "holga geeks" from constantly pestering her.

She should try this:

http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/leica-h/

 

[Ororaro]

Hmmm... My M3 is dechromed and is now Nickel and is covered with white Lizard skin. Exactly the opposite of stealth.

funny, though, some of my best stealthy and in-your-face shots we're shot with this "FLASHY" combo.

I firmly believe (and proved many, many times) that covering a Leica brings nothing more then just a personal satisfaction. It gives no special powers to the photographer and it doesn't make the subjects more stupid. Covering a Leica is meaningless, except to make its owner happy.

 

[brachal]

She should try this:

http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/leica-h/

ROFL! Thanks!

 

[Ororaro]

Well, a refrigerator isn't easily ripped out of your hands and fenced at the corner pawn shop. Most of the people may not know the name "Leica." But, the crooks do. I've been told by bad guys to hand over Nikons. Never underestimate the bad guys.

You are giving too much intelligence and taste to criminals. As far as I'm concerned, a criminal will break intoa car for a 1$ bill on the dashboard. Even a Holga Camera can cause a thief to break into a car. No need to be a Oh-So-Great-Leica camera on a seat or around your wrist to be stolen.

You really think Criminals will discriminate the brands they are stealing? LOL!

 

[emraphoto]

Hmmm... My M3 is dechromed and is now Nickel and is covered with white Lizard skin. Exactly the opposite of stealth.

funny, though, some of my best stealthy and in-your-face shots we're shot with this "FLASHY" combo.

I firmly believe (and proved many, many times) that covering a Leica brings nothing more then just a personal satisfaction. It gives no special powers to the photographer and it doesn't make the subjects more stupid. Covering a Leica is meaningless, except to make its owner happy.

i'm curious as to how this is proven? at no point is anyone saying it gives you special powers... but all the folks with pj experience or working pj's seem to think the "blackout" is beneficial?!?! i'm not sure how that stacks up. it's not just covering up leica's. as was mentioned nachteway has "covered up" his canon and many of the folks here covered up their nikon's etc.
i realize it's a bit of a mute point as sans an extensive study (which i'm sure nobody has any interest in conducting) it reamins an unsolved mystery. i will certainly be tapig up the camera's for my next voyage and if it's all in vain... great!