Effect of gaffer tape on M11 black coating?

[Kiwimac]

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I am thinking of taping my camera body, both to make it marginally less attractive to casual thievery and to help protect it from scratches etc. 

 

I’ve got some proper gaffer’s tape in matte black and was going to use that. 
 

It’ll probably be stuck on there a year or two if I do it. I’ve taped chrome bodied cameras with no ill effect but never a black one and never one with the new M11 finish. 
 

Is there likely to be any deleterious effect when I remove it, do you think?

Edited September 8, 2023 by Kiwimac

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[frame-it]

so i wonder what will happen to the tape when you're out in the sun for long periods?

 

[a.noctilux]

35 minutes ago, Kiwimac said:

Is there likely to be any deleterious effect when I remove it, do you think?

 

38 minutes ago, Kiwimac said:

It’ll probably be stuck on there a year or two if I do it

I don't have M11 and isn't M11 younger than two years ?

Just wait ...

You will see in two years.

[jaapv]

I hear that there is a good market for stolen  gaffer tape. 

[bkphoto]

There will be a two tone finish on your camera body.

[charlesphoto99]

Yes, I'm sure a potential thief will take one look and go, screw that, I'm waiting for the M11-P. 

[Kiwimac]

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It’s more to do with protecting the body from scratches and rub marks. 

[grahamc]

19 minutes ago, Kiwimac said:

It’s more to do with protecting the body from scratches and rub marks. 

If that's your main aim it could be worth checking out some see-through body-wrap options.  Will be see through and designed like cameras screen protectors (ie peel off when you want them too with no residue but otherwise are stuck-fast).

A google or eB@y search should bring up some options

[rramesh]

You will need a lot of gaffer tape, as you will likely peel it every other day to see if there is a mark on the body. 

[geotrupede]

I have some where the straps lugs are and when is really hot they come off (it happened once after 1 day out shooting), but no sign except some glue. I do not see this as an issue.

[LocalHero1953]

Does gaffer tape come with holes in for the battery door?

[charlesphoto99]

In all seriousness, there are special black tapes out there that won't melt like gaffer (or electrical - never use!). I've always used a 3M black 'photo tape' to cover red dots etc but I'm sure there's others out there. 

[Kiwimac]

18 hours ago, charlesphoto99 said:

In all seriousness, there are special black tapes out there that won't melt like gaffer (or electrical - never use!). I've always used a 3M black 'photo tape' to cover red dots etc but I'm sure there's others out there. 

You mean this?

https://shardlow.co.nz/shop/tapes-adhesives/masking-tape/photographic-masking-tape/3m-photographic-tape-235/

 

[AndreasG]

According to my own experience, the adhesive of the tape will not cause any harm to a black chrome surface, however, I would be hesitating with a BP body.

[Carlos cruz]

I’ve put few bits of gaffer tape on my m240, didn’t leave any permanent marks on paint apart from hard to remove glue film. Cleaning it off took fifteen minutes of my precious time, but it was only red dot and a small bit on top.

[charlesphoto99]

On 9/10/2023 at 11:49 PM, Kiwimac said:

You mean this?

https://shardlow.co.nz/shop/tapes-adhesives/masking-tape/photographic-masking-tape/3m-photographic-tape-235/

 

Yep, that's it. 

[sometimesmaybe]

On 9/8/2023 at 8:16 PM, Kiwimac said:

to make it marginally less attractive to casual thievery

i didnt realise NZ was so brutish 😉

in all seriousness use the stuff thats designed for cameras like vinyl wrap rather than ordinary tape. the boys on reddotforum / leica miami hate getting used Ms with tape, as it can lead to 2 tone finish etc

[Kiwimac]

1 hour ago, sometimesmaybe said:

i didnt realise NZ was so brutish 😉

in all seriousness use the stuff thats designed for cameras like vinyl wrap rather than ordinary tape. the boys on reddotforum / leica miami hate getting used Ms with tape, as it can lead to 2 tone finish etc

I travel. 
 

I didn’t know there was any special camera wrap. Where would I find such a thing?

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[dugby]

2 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

I travel. 
 

I didn’t know there was any special camera wrap. Where would I find such a thing?

I've seen a few of these skins whilst browsing the www

https://alphagvrd.com/products/leica-m11-camera-skin

[GFW2-SCUSA]

Why not just buy a half body case, scuff it up so it looks old and worn and be done with it. It will protect your camera and make it look like junk. Covering your nice camera with crappy tape for a couple of years really sounds horrible. I don't know where you are traveling that there are such sophisticated. thieves, but if it is that high a risk area, perhaps take a lesser camera or get a good insurance policy.