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Out with the logo!


lars_bergquist

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Just a couple of months after I had recieved my black-chrome M8, the white paint of the 'M8' logo in front started to fall off. Finally, I slapped a piece of electrician's tape over it, but this keeps sliding around as I grip and use the camera.

 

Now I am fed up with it. Does anybody know of a safe way to remove the black paint completely without damaging the underlying chrome finish? I can live with the remaining slight indentation in the metal.

 

Do you know what? Photographically knowledgeable people I encounter do still identify the camera as a M8! Now listen, ye Gnomes of Solms: After half a century, the M camera is its own logo---or even, its own icon. Vulgar large letters are a complete waste from the marketing point of view: Those in the know do not need them, and they are meaningless to those that are not in the know. So, DELETE THEM! (But I have no quarrel with the red dot.)

 

The old man from the Age of No-Logo Tees

Übrigens bin ich der Meinung dass die M9 muss wettersicher sein

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Marker pen? Not permanent, and does not look right on close inspection.

 

Today the world is full of tacky goods, displaying conspicuous logos that try to make the impression that the substrate is expensive (which it may of course be---while still being tacky). The time has come when there is attention value in breaking the trend.

 

When did you last see a Rolls-Royce with 'ROLLS-ROYCE' and the model name displayed all over the bodywork in day-glo foot-high letters? Today even the 'Silver Wraith' is gone, due to safety regs. There is only the traditional RR escutcheon above the radiator grille, proportionally very much smaller than the red dot on a Leica. Herr Kaufmann, you should seriously consider the image of the Leica camera: Is it as a piece of superlative engineering, or as a piece of conspicuous bling-bling for the much-money-no-brains crowd?

 

The old man from the Age of No-Logo Gym Shoes

Übrigens bin ich der Meinung dass die M9 muss wettersicher sein

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Lars, I read what you are saying but am puzzled by what you say has happened. I have two M8's, one was the first to hit my country when first released and I have "flogged" it mercillessly (but kindly!) ever since. There is not the slightest sign of any wear or whatever on either the white logo paint or the black bdy paint. I'm not about to suggest that you are abusing your camera, so maybe Leica need to be told or asked "what the hell is happening here?" because of the poor ergonomics of the M8, relative to its ancestors, that area around the logo does get more finger pressure I agree. But still mine has no sign of wear. You need to speak to your supplier methinks. Good luck.

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.....Now I am fed up with it. Does anybody know of a safe way to remove the black paint completely without damaging the underlying chrome finish? I can live with the remaining slight indentation in the metal........

 

Lars,

 

I would leave the white paint where it is and fill in the M8 logo with flat black paint. Since we all need more than one hobby to stay half sane in this world, I use railroad modelling water-soluble paint. It is easy to apply, easy to clean and once dry, stays in place.

 

Best,

 

Jan

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I hate all those trade marks written every where.

I did take all white 'Leica' an model marks away from M4-P, M6 and M8, with cotton swabs and acetone.

They looks all so nice now. Very decent.

And with the black logo (instead of tape over as before) is just great.

(unfortunately, the pictures taken are not any better)

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Just a couple of months after I had recieved my black-chrome M8, the white paint of the 'M8' logo in front started to fall off. Finally, I slapped a piece of electrician's tape over it, but this keeps sliding around as I grip and use the camera.

 

Now I am fed up with it. Does anybody know of a safe way to remove the black paint completely without damaging the underlying chrome finish? I can live with the remaining slight indentation in the metal.

 

 

I used acetone. The white paint dissolved in an instant with no damage to the black chrome.

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I could do without the logo as well. I always found the MP is one of the best looking cameras ever made.

 

Typically I can remember which camera I bought and have the strong suspicion the rest of the world is not really interested...

 

Stefan

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Guest darkstar2004

If your M8 is still under warranty, you could send it in and demand that it be repaired to your satisfaction - or replaced.

 

You'd think that for the unholy price attached to the M8, they could at lease insure that the M8 engraving is clean BEFORE the paint is applied so that the white paint will stay in place - like it's supposed to - and not flake off.

 

Just an observation...

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The tip about acetone sounds interesting. Thanks a lot. Isopropyl alcohol is nearly unobtainable here unless you are a certified chemical lab.

 

It is also interesting to see that there are other people out there who are of one mind with me on the matter of obtrusive logos. After all this time the Leica M should be entitled to a bit of dignity. And that goes for me too.

 

The MD ('new') does look right, but as I stated before, I do actually like the red dot. Except (forgive an old graphic designer) when people slap it on askew, so that there is a slant to the baseline of the word 'Leica'---usually to the left.

 

The old man from the Age of No-Logo Underpants

Übrigens bin ich der Meinung ... cannot someone silence that tiresome old fart?

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