falkk Posted July 14, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 14, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) M8-stealthmode Story Just yesterday I came back from Vietnam. I've spent a few days in Hanoi and Halong Bay. Shortly before I left, I was thinking about my equipment. Should I travel light - and safe - and bring just my M8 and the 35 mm Voigtlander. The Voigtlander is quite versatile in my opinion, but sometimes a little bit to washed out, and some strong color-fringing. Than I thought, if I go there to make a few shots, I should bring the Noctilux and maybe the WATE also. Basically my whole set. BUT than… If something happens, my whole set might be gone…? So i decided to get an insurance (someone on this forum recommended one to me once). After having arrived in Hanoi, I also decided to give it a stealth mode with some spare tape in my luggage. I did not make a beautiful work (!!), but I thought, if the taping looks shabby, people might be even more convinced, that this is an old chinese copy of some old russian copy - or something. So, I plastered the logo and the letters, and left to explore the place. There, and this is true, 3 different people in 8 days and in different places approached my for my Leica. First a young vietnamese waitress, serving me a cold beer did a remark over her shoulder: watch out for your Leica - and walked away. Her I did not trick with my stealth-mode. Second was a bunch of young people sitting next to me in a street cafe asked me about the M8 and vividly discussed the difference between mine, and a Full-Format M9. Than in another shop, just looking for souvernirs, the owner asked me, if that is the M8.2. It seems, that if people know, what a Leica is, they will not be fooled by some tape coverig the red dot. And people who do not know a Leica, they do not need be fooled by my obviously very poor attemps to stay under the radar. After the third encounter, I went back to the hotel, and removed the ugly tape - and was so happy to have my M8 in it's whole glory. And I got a few nice shots too… I am taking the day today to look at all the pics. Ahh… and I think, I mostly used my Noctilux. WATE just a little bit, Vogtlaender a bit more. Falk Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/156816-m8-stealthmode/?do=findComment&comment=1733534'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Hi falkk, Take a look here M8-stealthmode. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Holybasil Posted July 14, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 14, 2011 I honestly think the tape attracts more attention than if you're just having it "out there". Gives the impression you're trying to hide something. Most thieves knows whats worth stealing and what isn't. Safest thing you can do is keep it close all the time and be on your guard. PS: The voightländer... Awesome lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombii Posted July 14, 2011 Share #3 Posted July 14, 2011 Your story doesn't surprise me at all. Before I bought my M8, I read all the stuff about it being low profile and blah, blah. Didn't take long to realize that nearly everytime I was around a large group of people, somebody would spot me and come over and ask about it. A lot of younger people who either were in photography classes or just had an interest and knew what Leica was/is. Even a few people who didn't even know Leica makes digital cameras now but knew it was something relatively rare to see. I think the only way for it to be stealth would be to put an SLR shell over it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 14, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 14, 2011 Stealth is a state of mind, not a state of camera. Alter your demenour and body language before sticking gunge all over your camera. How many taped iphones do you see, or watches? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted July 14, 2011 Share #5 Posted July 14, 2011 @ Falk: nice anecdote of yours! @ Bill: this is one of the most important things I happened to learn about attitude. Thanks! Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indina Posted July 14, 2011 Share #6 Posted July 14, 2011 Lol, Falk the way you taped it looks like placing LED with a blinking signal "Catch me if you can". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBatemanJ Posted July 14, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 14, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Someone who seems not knowing about Leica often point M8/9 and ask "how much is your camera?" in a bad neighborhood I am working on. I always reply "I do not know, I got them from my father. They are old. I wish I could buy nice expensive DSLR". Most of the case, it is working well with some exception. Camera and lens are fully insured so I do not much worried, though. SATOKI Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 14, 2011 Share #8 Posted July 14, 2011 I hate taped up cameras, but I have to say, that's some of the worst taping I've ever seen! Your Leica looks so sad, like a caged and muzzled puppy who couldn't harm anyone! As Bill has said, regardless of the tape, if you are worried about your camera being noticed, you will give it away in your body language anyway, we instinctively react to subconscious and conscious signals others give. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted July 14, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 14, 2011 this is the way to make a stealth mode M8 (not that I use this). Contrary to the OP I very rarely get comments on my M8 (except from fellow Leica owners, but that is a rare breed) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/156816-m8-stealthmode/?do=findComment&comment=1733668'>More sharing options...
epand56 Posted July 14, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2011 I'm sure that any kind of stealth mode (tape, black dot, etc.) is much more saying "Ehi, guys, I have a precious Leica here!!" than a camera left as is, at least with a worn leather case (the only thing, IMO, that can be mistaken for an old camera). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 14, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 14, 2011 Ever heard of a silver logo around? My black one is still too conspicuous for me (silver body). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fWord Posted July 14, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 14, 2011 Man, this thread just burst my balloon. I am officially removing all that gaffer tape from my camera and shall proceed to paint it bright pink. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 14, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 14, 2011 Man, this thread just burst my balloon. I am officially removing all that gaffer tape from my camera and shall proceed to paint it bright pink. Depending on your skin colour it might be more stealthy that way. Or gaffer tape your face to match the camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fWord Posted July 14, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 14, 2011 Or gaffer tape your face to match the camera! Haha! I was about to say something politically incorrect in the light of what's been happening in Australia, but never mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfspencer Posted July 14, 2011 Share #15 Posted July 14, 2011 Have you ever had another camera that was mistaken for a Leica? I have a Panasonic GF-1. When using it, I have been asked about my "Leica" at least a dozen times. I was in Greece last week. Our tour guide looked at my GF-1 and asked me if I could take a group picture. "You have expensive gear. You must be an experienced photographer." (If she only knew. ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted July 14, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 14, 2011 Man, this thread just burst my balloon. I am officially removing all that gaffer tape from my camera and shall proceed to paint it bright pink. like this? EDIT: SWMBO would actually be very happy to have one - if only for its rarity. PM if available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintpot Posted July 14, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 14, 2011 like this? Good God!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted July 14, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 14, 2011 like this? Oh my, I love it!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holybasil Posted July 14, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 14, 2011 Oh my, I love it!! It's just sooo kawaii! (shudders) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 14, 2011 Share #20 Posted July 14, 2011 Have you ever had another camera that was mistaken for a Leica? Yes, my Nikon F2, go figure! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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