How would you engrave your Leica?

[mafoofan]

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In anticipation of receiving my new, special order MP in a couple of weeks, I thought it might be fun to discuss how you have engraved or would engrave your own camera. I tortured myself over how to have Leica engrave my name, and ultimately came up with this:

 

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The top is engraved like the regular MP (just "Leica" and the serial number). Typically, the back says "LEICA CAMERA MADE IN GERMANY." I deleted "LEICA CAMERA" as I thought it was redundant and shifted "MADE IN GERMANY" all the way to the right, so that it is aligned with the edge of the back door. I put my first initial and last name, "M. FAN," on the same level, but put it all the way to the left, aligned with the vertical tangent of the viewfinder eyepiece. I aligned both pieces of text on opposite sides for visual balance and to create enough space so that it wouldn't look like "M. FAN MADE IN GERMANY."

 

For reference, here is the standard back engraving:

 

 

I thought about eliminating "MADE IN GERMANY," too, but felt that the camera ought to have its place of origin stated somewhere. Had I gone with the traditional three-line engraving on top, I would have done so and put my name on the right side.

 

I went with "M. FAN" instead of my full name because I thought it seemed more professional and business-like. For what it's worth, my contact in Solms loved the way I set things up.

 

A frivolous topic of discussion, I know, but is there anything wrong with that? Cheers!

Edited November 30, 2011 by mafoofan

[mafoofan]

Hmm . . . no takers?

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[Jeff S]

The dot after the M really isn't needed, is it? Then, if your middle name were Peter or Paul, you'd have the basis for the perfect engraving.

 

Jeff

[imported_peter_m]

I think a bit of western brightcut might look pretty classy on a chrome

 

Peter

[mafoofan]

I think a bit of western brightcut might look pretty classy on a chrome

 

Peter

 

Ha--although I have to admit that you've piqued my interest in what a top plate would look like elaborately engraved in the style of a Purdey shotgun.

 

I tried to be as spartan as possible the way I asked them to engrave my name. Alternatively, I might have had them engrave my signature on the bottom plate.

[menos I M6]

How would you engrave your Leica?

Not at all, especially not with my name!

 

If it would be a custom made MP, I'd take:

- no engravings, nothing, nada!

- black hot shoe with SN engraved in hot shoe, like my M8.2

- black paint on brass shutter release ring

- Auf-Zu on bottom plate is fine with me.

- black frame counter ideal a la that beautiful special edition black paint M6

- chrome strap lugs are fine with me, but black paint brass gives extra points

- while we are at it, make it a MP3 style housing and we are done

 

Why all the massacre about writing stuff all over the M it's so beautiful, just in plain black, worn paint.

I would worry endless about the finder though - 0.72 is most useful, as I like tele AND 35mm, which is the problem, 0.85 is sooooooo nice though, while my interest in the 0.58 finder has been sparked recently … that needs discussing!

[wattsy]

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Why all the massacre about writing stuff all over the M it's so beautiful, just in plain black, worn paint.

 

Just the OP's preference, I guess - just like sanding down the edges to expose the brass might be your preference?

[wattsy]

Hmm . . . no takers?

 

I like the understated nature of it. Most personalisations seem to take the form of a gaudy faux signature whereas this has a nice utilitarian quality in keeping with the idea of the camera as "tool". Very much in the way a traditional toolmaker or machinist might have his name or initials stamped on a micrometer.

Edited December 1, 2011 by wattsy

[menos I M6]

Just the OP's preference, I guess - just like sanding down the edges to expose the brass might be your preference?

 

No sanding involved - I like it aaaaall natural, Ian ;-)

[farnz]

... Very much in the way a traditional toolmaker or machinist might have his name or initials stamped on a micrometer.

... and if some knurling could be added ... <salivates and ponders>

 

Pete.

Edited December 1, 2011 by farnz

[earleygallery]

I wonder if they'd agree to engrave Lomo instead of Leica, and Made in China? Stealthy!!

[philipus]

I deleted "LEICA CAMERA" as I thought it was redundant and shifted "MADE IN GERMANY" all the way to the right, so that it is aligned with the edge of the back door.

 

[...]

 

I thought about eliminating "MADE IN GERMANY," too, but felt that the camera ought to have its place of origin stated somewhere.

 

[...]

 

I went with "M. FAN" instead of my full name because I thought it seemed more professional and business-like.

 

So can one also remove the standard text? I didn't know that. If so I would have just put my name - first and last names - but over to the right. Why would it be necessary to have Made in Germany?

 

I recently saw a photo of an old M and the photographer had put his name using one of those old adhesive strips one could "print" text on (more like emboss or so) using a handheld device (I can't remember the name right now). I thought it looked nice with the name over on the right.

[mafoofan]

- while we are at it, make it a MP3 style housing and we are done

 

I thought about asking for this, but didn't want to overcomplicate my order, as I had already asked for a number of other small changes. Anyway, I actually kind of prefer the M2/M4/M6/M7/MP-style top plate. The increased simplicity may in fact be the result of cost-cutting, but is also more in-keeping with the camera's bauhaus aesthetic.

 

You'd be surprised by how much they are willing to accommodate in Solms. You just have to be a bit creative in finding the right person to help you. Your dealer may not want to go through the trouble.

 

Why all the massacre about writing stuff all over the M it's so beautiful, just in plain black, worn paint.

 

Well, there's actually less writing now!

 

I like the understated nature of it. Most personalisations seem to take the form of a gaudy faux signature whereas this has a nice utilitarian quality in keeping with the idea of the camera as "tool". Very much in the way a traditional toolmaker or machinist might have his name or initials stamped on a micrometer.

 

Thanks, W. That's exactly what I was going for!

 

So can one also remove the standard text? I didn't know that. If so I would have just put my name - first and last names - but over to the right. Why would it be necessary to have Made in Germany?

 

Yes, you can, but you have to put in a special request for it. The price of the order will go up as they will have to do a one-off top plate in Solms for you.

 

I kept "Made in Germany" for two reasons: (1) Leicas have always had their place of origin stated somewhere and it is not otherwise included in the default, modern MP engraving, and (2) I think it visually balances my engraved name.

[wattsy]

I recently saw a photo of an old M and the photographer had put his name using one of those old adhesive strips one could "print" text on (more like emboss or so) using a handheld device (I can't remember the name right now).

 

Brings back memories. I think you mean one of those Dymo label things like this.

[Double Negative]

With an ice pick?

 

[pico]

[farnz]

Why "Stolen" ... ?

 

Pete.

[Overgaard]

It seems to me that most people feel their Leica is very personal after a short while, even it has no special marking, special leather or other.

 

Hence you meet people who has a grey paint Leica and they love despite the fact they didn't like it to begin with. And want the same camera next time. Or chrome or black.

 

And when you have a stack of cameras in front of you, the one you like the best is usually your own.

 

But also, when you meet someone with a different camera who have made a very decicive choose and are very happy with it, you tend to like that camera too.

 

So this speaks for that one can do nothing or even a general choice of engraving such as no engraving at all, with classic Leica logo, with or without red dot, etc. and you will love the camera in any case.

 

But I would also say that if you feel for getting your own signature or initials - then go for it. As you can send in a Leica for engraving (which usually means they will do the engraving on a brand new top plate and replace the old one with the new one), you may send in an engraved Leica and ask to get a different engraving in case you should want to sell it.

 

I don't know about the MP, but for the M9 the engraving is ca. 200 Euro.

 

So I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. I would simply get whatever makes me happy. Even a poem or a drawing. Should you one day want to sell it and you don't expect the buyer to like the engraving, have it redone to another standard one. And enjoy the 200 Euro expense of having had you own very special camera in the meanwhile.

 

Don't protect cameras that much. It's like leaving the plastic on leather interior in a car for resale value. Don't do that, be the proud owner and use it the way you want to and let the next owner deal with having a second-hans edition.

[jaapv]

Here is an "employee sale" IIIf

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[mafoofan]

Thanks for that reference, Jaap. Here is the standard factory engraving used on M3s (courtesy of http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Leica/index.htm):

 

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In this case, the camera was personalized for Alfred Eisenstaedt. However, the engraving was done the same way for employee cameras and the format was used by Leica up through the M6. I have not seen a standardized format for the M7 or MP, as the regular A la Carte options put the engraving elsewhere.

 

So, my dilemma was whether to stick with the M3-style engraving on the back, or come up with a new format to fit the newer style camera. I chose the latter, as the contemporary MP is not typically engraved like the M3, which includes "WETZLAR, GERMANY" on the top of the top plate. Newer models without the classic M3-style engraving on top have always had "MADE IN GERMANY" or "GERMANY" engraved on the back. Also, the engraved text on the backs of newer Ms is typically aligned against the bottom of the top plate, as opposed to being vertically centered.

 

So, since my MP only says "LEICA" on top, I felt it more "regular" to go with my modified setup. One thing is for sure: I really can't stand the inclusion of "LEICA CAMERA" on the back. In any event, it is redundant branding.

Edited December 1, 2011 by mafoofan