This is not really a question but something I want to share here. I just cover up the "Leice M6" and the "red dot" logos of my chrome M6 with some tape of silver color with matt surface - this is the tape normally used by the air-conditioning engineers. The logos just disappear and the camera doesn't looks odd with the tape on it. I now look more humble carrying these expensive gear without inviting anybody to "steal me!"

-- tom tong (tom.tong@ckh.com.hk), December 09, 2001

Answers

Not to be a smart-aleck or anything, but don't you think a thief who knows expensive merchandise can spot a Leica, with or without a conspicuous logo? I just have this image in my mind of thieves chuckling over having to remove all that tape from their new-found Leicas before they take them to their fence. Silver duct tape and black electrical tape have many uses, but not on my Leicas, thank you.

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), December 09, 2001.

The converse thought does come to mind as well. A thief who does not know Leicas will not be deterred either, since he won't notice that the red dot is missing.

Speaking of which, why have that massive Leica M6 engraving on the front at all? Surely the red dot suffices to identify the camera? The same applies to the manufacturers of the Nikon FM3A etc. What else could those cameras possibly be? And why does the subject (who stares at the front of the camera) need to know the model?

This is a relatively recent (10-15 years) phenomenon, methinks.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 09, 2001.

Tom: Good idea. May not deter thieves, but may make YOU feel more comfortable shooting, which is fine. Since (to me) Leicas are cameras, not jewelry, I'm not worried about taping them up. Of course I have beater M4 clones - one with no red dot at all. 8^)

Mani: "This is a relatively recent (10-15 years) phenomenon, methinks."

Putting names AND model designations goes back a long way. But Leica M WAS late to hop on the band wagon. Maybe manufacturers substituting (or adding) SLRs to their original RF lines felt a need to really distinguish the "new technology" cameras from the older lines.

Nikon F - had "Nikon" and "F" on front of prisms from introduction in 1959. Leicaflex - had "Leicaflex" on front from at least 1968, possibly 1964 Canon - had Canonflex, FX, FTb, F-1, AE-1, etc. on front from 1960 or thereabouts Leica M - had Leica M4-2/P/6 on front since 1977 (no red dot until 1980-81) Minolta - had SR-1, SRT-100/101/102 from at least mid-'60s.

etc. etc.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 10, 2001.

Andy, I stand duly corrected. Your knowledge is encyclopaedic, as always.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 10, 2001.

Mani - I apologize if I came across as 'bitchy' in previous response. Didn't mean to sound critical.

Mine is an 'idiot-savant' talent at best, and about as reliable.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 10, 2001.

Not at all Andy. No offense perceived or taken. I hope I did not sound like I was complaining :-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 10, 2001.

The civility of the members of this forum continues to amaze me ...

-- Dave (dhyoon@pantheon.yale.edu), December 10, 2001.

Discretion is the essence of M.

Black is more discreet than chrome (or snake covered gold or brown leather covered titanium). Black tape on the logo and on the brand+model name makes a black M6 more discreet than uncovered red dot and flashy white fonts. I even advocate blackening the markings on the front of the lens (and would prefer gray to white for other lens markings).

That said, I also profoundly dislike the idea that I should automatically be considered as an unpaid advertisement board for Leica or anyone else. I do not mind promoting brands in the framework of a fair sponsorship contract. There should be a discount price for cameras sold with visible logos and brand names. By taping my M I also do the finger at the Solms marketing team !.... ;-)

Regarding thieves: if you forget those eventual few elitist thieves that might be specialising in Leica, any normal thief will focus on stealing what is easy to steal (a gear bag on the floor or on the seat of the car, a camera on the table); if in a position to choose, he will prefer the items that look expensive (an EOS 50 with grip and zoom will be MUCH more tempting than my taped beater); and he will favour brands with local marketing value (a Sony walkman will also be more tempting than my M). Taping the logo and other branding makes my beater look even more beaten.

Not sure I should be saying all this in public though...

-- Jacques (jacquesbalthazar@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

first: is there any other camera that states its name three times on the body, two in the front, one in the back, plus the one on the lens, that makes it four, one on the winder (five), on the lens cap (six) and of course two on the strap (eight!!!) cool, you get what your paying for. just in case you might forget the brand of you camera.

then: the electrical tape, doesn't it deteriorate in time? is it hard to get off after a while?

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 10, 2001.

You forgot-once on the lens hood, too!

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 10, 2001.

and one on the flash: ten

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 10, 2001.

I count two on the front of my SF 20 and one (admittedly microscopic) on the back.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 10, 2001.

:-)

This is getting ludicrous...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 10, 2001.

I too tape over the logos on my M6. I'm not so much worried about theft as I am by people saying "Oh, is that a Leica?" as I'm about to take ther picture. But then again, I don't wear jackets that say Tommy Hilfiger or hats that say Nike. I resent being expected to be a walking billboard. Rant ended. Instead of black electrical tape buy a set of 1 1/2" black vinyl numbers from Staples or Office Depot The center of the "8" is perfect to cover the red dot and the "1" is perfect for the logo.

-- David Cuningham (dcunningham@attglobal.net), December 10, 2001.

I understand 3M will be marketing a new tape next year specifically for Leica owners. The tape, in either scuffed silver or beat-up black, will simulate dents, dings and scuff marks on your new Leica. Not only can Leica owners hide those unsightly Leica logos, but they can pre-age their cameras in the process in minutes. For those Leica owners who demand greater authenticity, an industrial strenghth version of the tape will be offered in limited markets that will dim the viewfinder and disturb all shutter speeds, as well.

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), December 10, 2001.

Come on, Mr. Tong! Leica is just another piece of camera with some moving parts, where you can attach your favorite Leica optics on it. Most young people in Hong Kong don't know what Leica is. Most people recognizing my chrome M6 are usually over 40 and are usually rich enough to have their own. Do watch out when you have a Nikon F100 or a Canon EOS-1v. I get more attention if I am flashing my F100 with 17- 35 AF-S or my Hasselblad 2000FC. Cheer up, remove the tape and shoot proudly.

-- Damond Lam (damondhk@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

I find that most people in general these days do not know a Leica from a digital Olympus.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), December 10, 2001.

Black electrical tape eventually slips and slides and leaves a very sticky film. Instead, I use "Scotch Photographic Tape" (12.7mm version, Product Code: UPC 021200-60639-7; 25.4mm version, Product Code UPC 021200-60643-4).This tape is flat black so it blends in more with the background texture of a Black Leica. It's also opaque and lasts a long time without slipping and sliding.

-- Cosmo Genovese (cosmo@rome.com), December 10, 2001.

I agree with the letter above, I think the tape thing is just grandstanding that with a Leica in your hand the whole world looks at you. Here in Australia all but the keen photographer wouldnt even know the name or have heard of it, To expect a theif to wander the streets just picking off Leicas is obsurd cause they will go hungry waiting! An M6 looks like and old camera (although stylish) a thief is more likely to look out for modern looking motorized SLR's. They are more likely to recognise and pinch your Nikons. If a friend sees my Leica's they usually ask is that a good brand like Canon or Nikon!

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

You guys worry too much about what other people think of your camera. For the vast majority of people in the world, it's a camera not a Leica. For those that know, well, they're gonna know whether you tape it up or not.

A camera is a good pawnable bauble whether it is worth $5 or $5000. The thief takes about the same amount of money from the fence regardless, usually about $10-30.

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), December 10, 2001.

I understand that the Los Angeles Leica Association (LALA) recently sponsored a drive to protect M6s from Leica thieves by conducting a "Disguise Your M6" contest. The winner, announced this weekend, was Beth Boasburg of Anaheim who disguised her M6, "Skippy", as a Yorkshire Terrier. The runner-up was Chad Levine of Fullerton whose M6 was cleverly disguised as a bottle of Passion Fruit Gatorade. Take that, you red dot thieves!

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), December 10, 2001.

Nikon documentalist users do the same, and HCB at not permiting beeing photographed too; and what about Koudelka ducumenting PrageŽ68 with a paper bag on his head, may a tape cover a logo, but if your atitude to your camera is like holding a presious jewel, no one needs to see a logo to be curious about it.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

Methinks most folks, including thieves, pay little attention to the brand. The only comment received by my Leica was from a woman friend who pointed to it and said "That's a cute camera!" My ego was so bruised that I had to bring motorized Nikons next time I saw her :-)

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), December 10, 2001.

The Leica has such an understated exterior, I don't think they'll ever look nearly as attractive to a theif as the nikon f series with a zoom attached, black tape or not. Crazy as it may seem, I'd rather the thief see me with the Leica, chances are he doesn't know it's value.

-- Mike DeVoue (karma77@att.net), December 10, 2001.

I'm thinking of adding one of those red dot logos to my M4-2 and my IIIf...

-- Dave Doyle (soilsouth@home.com), December 11, 2001.