Do you tape your camera's logo and type

<p>I once was assigned to photograph a pharmacist, and seeing the collection of fluorescent stickers at his disposal, I helped myself to one that said MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS and wore it on the pentaprism of my 35mm SLR for a few weeks. Great icebreaker with reluctant subjects and no one asked what kind of camera I used nor what medication I was on!</p>

<p>I gaffer's tape my logos. I'm not worried about thieves it just makes me less noticble. At least I feel less noticable. </p>

<p>Actually, I have met some interesting photographers because they saw the Leica name on my cameras. Doesn't happen when I'm out and about w/ the Bessa R3a, although I think sometimes the Baseball Cap, Laptop & Big Zoom DSLR folks squint at it to see if it's an M8. They ignore me when they see it isn't. So the brand name and logos attract the right sort and repel the right ones as well. What more could you want?</p>

<p>I do with my DSLR, I find the logos garish, I also turn the strap inside out otherwise I feel like a billboard advertisement. I also black tape the screen because I don't like looking at images, I hated the impulse to view what I just shot, and as I've recently moved from shooting exclusively film, I prefer not to miss a shot because I'm staring at a tiny screen. It's not a problem when shooting raw, everything else is accessible through dials and the top LCD. It's also more pleasurable when I take my time later to view my images objectively. With my old manual SLR I don't bother, it's a smaller body, the logo is more discreet and I use it with a hand strap anyway so it's only visible when it's at brought up to my eye.<br>

Regards, George</p>

<p>I do tape one of my cameras. Of course, it's a Diana so if I didn't I'd have light leaks all over the film.</p>

<p>Overall, I find that camera brand name printed on the front of SLR's quite ugly, and I do wish it wasn't there. Of course, bits of tape are uglier still so that's not exactly a solution. I would wish for bodies that a) don't have a big logo on them; and b) that comes in other colors than black (black looks big, serious and intimidating; exactly what you don't want when shooting people). The white Pentax K-m is a pretty good step in that direction.</p>

 

<p>Taping your camera body- unless for some technical reason like reducing reflections - is utterly nonsensical and couldn't possible make a difference to anything. Ditching the disgusting straps that are foisted on us by manufacturers is another matter...</p>

<p>1. I don't tape over any logos. I don't think it adds theft insurance or makes me look "cool". <br>

2. I guess I have a small ego...I don't mind if someone asks a question while I'm shooting. If I'm really busy, I politely let them know. When I'm finished, I can always take a moment if they're still there.<br>

3. Many of the things I've learned in life were passed on to me by those willing and giving of their time and knowledge. I hope I sow what I've reaped.</p>

<p>I put Canon stickers over my Nikon logos.</p>

<p>I sold my BMW and tape over my Leica and now I'm a happy guy. People have stoped treating me as special and that's the way it should always be.</p>

<p>I said:<em> "The bright logos on my camera straps are dulled down with a black ink marker to make them less obvious to wildlife"</em><br /><br />Michael L. said: <em>"Why? Wildlife is "color oblivious" and you can stand right in front of a deer with your most garishly colored camera strap in your hands and the deer won't give a damn (besides, you wear bright orange clothing while hunting, right..?)"</em></p>

<p>Reducing the contrast of the bright white logo on my camera strap reduces an animal's ability to detect movement of the strap. Only when hunting with a gun would I wear bright orange and I stay out of the woods with my camera during deer and turkey season.</p>

<p>wow. what strong opinions people have about other people's motives for taping their cameras. (and "pride of ownership"? why would i get pride from owning things? honestly, that's kinda weird.)<br>

i tape my camera. (i use waterproof gaffers tape, not electrical tape--no problems with adhesive running or coming off.) my film camera has tape on it partly 'cause the light gasket needs replacing, which i haven't gotten around to. my dig camera has tape over all those rubber port covers which i hardly ever use, and over some of the seams and corners for a modicum of protection, and holding most of the lens hoods on, and yes, over the logo on the front. (i don't do advertising for free, and besides, it just looks ugly and distracting to me.) as a bonus, now i always have source of tape handy--it peels off and can be reused when something breaks. and i can instantly identify my camera/which of my cameras is which this way.</p>

 

<p>i'm always amazed at the answers to this quandry... there is the "i tape crowd", usually with a simple explanation. then there's the "i don't tape" crowd accompanied by "senseless", "useless", "obsessive", "Taping means you are trying to be Special and are a Master of your Craft and it doesn't matter What Brand you shoot so Tape It over because I am so Cool", "But most of them just do it because somebody they aspire to does it and he did it because it looked cool and the guy he learnt from used silver topped bodies and snipers were a problem so he thought of it! Anybody doing it on the dusty streets of Manhattan, London etc is a poser. In my very unhumble opinion. :-)"<br>

i tape </p>

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<p>Wow - Having travelled a bit I can see maybe not wishing to advertise expensive gear in some locations, but for the most part, I find it a little absurd. Part of my business is shooting weddings - these events pose probably the highest potential for theft any gearheads in and single place than anywhere else. I have to say that I've never had a problem in more than 25 years of shooting, and folks with questions are more curious than anything else.</p>

<p>I'm a bit disturbed with some of the attitudes here re: questions from observers. I'm only too happy to chat for a bit and give any advice or assistance. Didn't you all learn from someone? I'll even offer to photograph a couple or individual in front of some object if it looks like they're trying to get each other's photo. If I'm working I simply ask them to wait until I take a break and I'll be happy to talk to them.</p>

<p>And if you think you're disguising your gear, think again - anyone who knows anything about DSLRs is likely to be able to identify almost any high-end Nikon or Canon simply by shape and lens config. alone.</p>

<p>--Rich</p>

<p>The late Henri Cartier Bresson (please genuflect) used to put black tape on the shiny parts of his camera to make it far less obvious, so that he could get much closer to his prey without arising suspicions (but he was originally a hunter). He also used to tie the camera to his wrist to avoid looking like a tourist.</p>

<p>it's not just about theft rich. i do of course understand your point though.<br>

i am currently shooting a documentary that involves me hanging with fella's that climb through culverts, under fences, over fences, through abandoned buildings. i tape... for a variety of reasons.</p>

<p>Jon B. -<br>

Well put.</p>

<p>It's really kind of ludicrous isn't it? To tape or not to tape? The "I tape" crowd vs. the "I don't tape and you're a _______ if you do" crowd. Maybe this thread would be better served by a quick poll of: yes I do and why; and; no I don't and why.</p>

<p>That way everyone can get their two bits in, we can find out who tapes and who doesn't (since it seems to be a pretty important and sensitive point) and we can see all the reasons why one would (or wouldn't) tape, all in one place. This way we can also reserve the judgments and jabs against those who do, or don't, tape. </p>

<p>So. Do you tape? Yep. Why? Cause I like the way it looks. There.</p>

 

<p>Black Magic Marker beats tape. </p>

<p>I do not cover up logos. I think the size of the camera is what a potential robber would look for. Once I was shooting on Coney Island with my Pentax 67 and a big lens shade - that caused some interest from local thugs. Fortunately I had a tripod with me and used it as a bat. Another time I was shooting in Times Square, and a black crack head wanted my stuff. I got away from that situation also without losing anything.</p><div></div>

<p>No, I don't. Personally I feel it's pretentious. And if, someone is paranoid about others seeing the camera manufacturer's name on their camera- they should not be photographing in the first place.</p>

<p>I've only seen someone with tape on their camera once or twice but I don't watch other poeple's cameras that closely so for all I know everyone is doing it. I doubt it would prevent theft as well. I don't think they're shopping, they're looking for the easiest target. I once had a camera bag that had a big label on it that was awfully bright and I used a marker to black it out just because aesthetically I disliked it.<br>

<br /> Anyway if someone wants to tape or marker up their camera that is their call. I'm not going to judge them for it.</p>

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<p >"if, someone is paranoid about others seeing the camera manufacturer's name on their camera- they should not be photographing in the first place."</p>

<p >where is the connect here? because i don't like labels i shouldn't wear clothes? i am not trying to be argumentative but i don't understand that comment. like i said, there is a million and one opinions and a million and one reasons why someone tapes up a camera... to judge them, label them or condemn them without understanding their motivation... i just don't get it.</p>

<p >for such a personal, non-important issue "taping" sure can polarize a community?</p>

<p >markers probably work very well mark... i tape because i bang the sh*! out of my gear. the fella's i know who do it tape for the same reason. press photographers.</p>

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<p>for some reason, my previous post did not come through. Your analogy between clothes and labels was rather odd, Jon. I don't see the "connect" here, either.</p>

<p>I'm hardly judging, labeling or "condeming" them. You use quite harsh comments. If I were to make a comment- do Laborghini owners remove the bulls from their cars- or do Ferrari owners remove the classic horses? I think not, because of personal pride. I can't speak for why other photographers choose to hide the manufacturer name on their bodies but it certainly will not deter someone from knowing what the camera is- especially up close, when one notices the lens(Leica, etc.).</p>

<p>i just like the look of duct tape</p>

<p>Here's another PN thread about taping cameras for anyone interested. It's a little less henpecky than this one. I don't really understand why this seems to be such a hot topic...but then, I guess I'm reading it too, aren't I? Go figure...<br>

http://www.photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00RIDJ</p>

<p>"Pride of ownership" is as lame as hiding a brand for reason of not wanting to advertise it.<br>

Both are silly, but "pride" is also immature.</p>