Red Dot

[Gers]

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I have a Q2 on its way to me.  I was contemplating covering the red dot with a piece of electrical tape. not so much as to confuse thieves but really so as not to boast that I can (just) afford a Leica.

Will this harm the finish in any way?

 

 

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[lanetomlane]

I wouldn't have thought so.

[jaapv]

Covering the red dot won't help. You'' have to change the shape of the camera... 🙄

[AndreasG]

Probably in future people are inclined to ask you what happened to your Leica, did you lose the red dot?

[Gers]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

Covering the red dot won't help. You'' have to change the shape of the camera... 🙄

Believe me, the people I know wouldn't know the difference between a Leica & a Box Brownie, but they will have heard of Leica as a 'luxury' brand;  I don't want to show off!

[jaapv]

In over forty years of shooting Leicas only a handful of people have noticed my camera brand, and without exception all were interested and none envious. Believe me, being seen as a show-off is highly unlikely. A Ferrari or Trophy Wife/Husband is far more effective in that respect. The most likely reaction will be: "are you still shooting film?"

[earleygallery]

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I've mentioned this before but when I was using my Nikon F2 (a well used example I bought for £90) someone came up and asked me about my 'old Leica'. 

I honestly don't think it's worth worrying about but if it makes YOU feel more comfortable then you should do it. 

[EUSe]

vor 35 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

In over forty years of shooting Leicas only a handful of people have noticed my camera brand, and without exception all were interested and none envious. Believe me, being seen as a show-off is highly unlikely. A Ferrari or Trophy Wife/Husband is far more effective in that respect. The most likely reaction will be: "are you still shooting film?"

Well, well, I have  experienced everything from a spontaneous „You must be carrying 10.000 € in your bag (M8), „I prefer my digital Canon EOS“ (DLux4) to „Are you still shooting film?“ (X1) and „Let me carry your valuable camera across the rocks, it is too dangerous“ [Digital Leica CL, offer of the hiking guide, I must have looked rather clumsy). So what. I like the red dot, it is part of the design I like, and of course my friends are frowning given the cost because they know what is, dot or not, and that other brands are less expensive. If I taped the dot, they would be even more curious or think of damage done to the camera. 
 

Suggestion to @Gers: why not use a protector covering  the dot?

 

Edited July 7, 2020 by EUSe

[Gers]

2 minutes ago, EUSe said:

Well, well, I have  experienced everything from a spontaneous „I guess that you are carrying 10.000 € in yor bag (M8), „I prefer my digital Canon EOS (DLux4) to „Are you still shooting film“ (X1) and „Let me carry your valuable camera across the rocks, it is too dangerous“ [Digital Leica CL, offer of the hiking guide, I must have looked rather clumsy). So what. I like the red dots it is part of the design I like,, and of course my friends are frowning given the cost because they know what is, dot or not, and that other brands are less expensive. If I taped the dot, they would be even more curiouis or think of damage done to the camera. 
 

Suggestion to @Gers: why not use a protector covering  the dot?

 

Not a bad idea; the protector, might try that route

 

[Michael Hiles]

In my experience comments/attention are VERY rare, and usually are related to “old camera” and/or use of film (M2, M3). Very occasionally (2-3 times in 40 years) someone recognizes a Leica as a legendary piece of equipment. Like driving up in an old Rolls.

[pippy]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

In over forty years of shooting Leicas only a handful of people have noticed my camera brand, and without exception all were interested and none envious...

If I had a Leica with a red dot I'd leave it as-is. It has been a part of the visual 'signature' of Leica bodies since the end of the '70s.

Wandering around in central London I'm always surprised by how commonplace (relatively speaking) Leicas are! Last summer my daughter and I went in to town for a day's photography and inside the space of 45 minutes in Trafalgar Square alone I spotted six others (all M cameras) at the time and a further two users in the crowds once I digitally processed my images later that evening.

But I've never experienced any envy / hostility whilst carrying a Leica; quite the reverse. People have always been polite, friendly and quite often curious.

Philip.

Edited July 7, 2020 by pippy

[Guest BlackBarn]

6 hours ago, Gers said:

Will this harm the finish in any way

Very surprised if it will harm the camera. I cover the red dot on my SL as well as the white lettering with black tape on both the camera and lenses. I think they spoil the overall simplicity of the design and also like you I dumb down the fact I use a Leica. I think  people recognize the red dot more than the camera shape as that  has been Leica’s promotional tag for so long. I also own the M10M and the QP which don’t have the red dot and thankfully/brilliantly  Leica go further on the M10M with their discrete lettering and markings -  pity they don’t bring out M lenses with the same options, I’ll be a mug for those.

 Anyway simply do what makes you feel better and congrats on buying the Q2.

 

[Fontan]

I cover not just the red dot but the logo of the other cameras that I use, especially for portraitures. I just don't want the subjects to have their eyes locked in on the same spot every time I shoot. 

[JTLeica]

I did this with my M10 and no harm done. You can also go the other way and stick a tonne of red stickers all over it. Makes it look very cheap.

[WeiterWinkel]

A few years ago a little boy in a spanish village hinted at my M9 and asked, if it was „antique“ 😀

[Marcel Bertran]

I put black tape on the front corners of my Nikon & Canon & got ripped off ... the thief thought they were LEICAS!

[Herr Barnack]

You want to use gaffer's tape:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/20008-REG/General_Brand_Gaffer_Cloth_Tape.html

While you're at it, cover the four microphone holes on the top plate and the two speaker holes on the back to keep dust out.

[Dennis]

My M10 and other Nikon DSLR cameras are all taped. For me, it's not about covering the expensive brand. It's about distraction. I like Low profile. I love the camera to be more discreet and have no red dot or bold white names. It looks better (for me), and people don't come to talk to you because they saw the brand. 😂 When I work, I just want to work, I don't want to lose the moment. It's distracting also when you take portraits. Some people instinctively look at the brand name rather than the lens. I swear it's true. 

Edited July 7, 2020 by Dennis

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[LeicaR10]

Gers,  I wouldn't worry about covering the Leica red dot.  Most people have no idea what type of camera you are shooting or its value.  When I shoot the Q2, nobody ever asks nor notices.  If you travel a lot or find yourself in unsavory areas, then I would suggest you make sure the Q2 is covered under your home insurance or get a rider for high value items.  But if you want to still cover up the red dot, Herr Barnack has the best solution in his above Post #17. r/ Mark 

[Herr Barnack]

1 hour ago, LeicaR10 said:

Gers,  I wouldn't worry about covering the Leica red dot.  Most people have no idea what type of camera you are shooting or its value.  When I shoot the Q2, nobody ever asks nor notices.  If you travel a lot or find yourself in unsavory areas, then I would suggest you make sure the Q2 is covered under your home insurance or get a rider for high value items.  But if you want to still cover up the red dot, Herr Barnack has the best solution in his above Post #17. r/ Mark 

I take my M kit when traveling - after all, I bought it to use.  And it is insured to the hilt.

As far as unsavory areas, I don't go to them to begin with.  If I were to go though, that's when the M gear and Q2 would stay at home and the Fuji X100F would go.