I'm Hiding My Leica Logo….Should you?

Are you thinking of covering your red dot Leica logo? This video is the most comprehensive breakdown of why you cover your logo and the many ways how to do it.

Many photographers do it for safety and to stand out less in public when using their Leica cameras. Some photographers think its pointless, you decide. You find the red dot Leica logo on many of today's Leica cameras like the M6, M7, M240, M10, and M11.

I go over the many ways you can cover your red Leica dot logo. We also explore the history of this iconic logo and why many non-photographers may be drawn to this design.

Does the Leica logo make you stand out?

Are you covering your red dot logo? Put it in the comments......

Links:

Matt Osborne's Video on Screw Hole Covers For Your Red Dot Logo:

Tobias Steinert's German Video on Red Dot Removal from M9

Music by Epidemic Sound
Video shot on Panasonic S5IIx and 24-105 F4 Lumix lens

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
00:41 - History of Leica's Red Dot Logo
02:30 - Why Do Photographers Cover Up Their Leica Logos on Their Cameras?
03:53 - Ways to Cover Up Your Leica Red Dot Logo
07:13 - Wrap Up and Goodbye
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Twitter: @IllumiGraphic

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[LensForgotten]

Some of you in the comments may have missed what I said in the video (or maybe didn't watch the full video?? I don't know). I said the red color draws attention. Followed by most likely other photographers would recognize the red dot. Least likely would be someone trying to take it from you. I said it was least likely but not at all. A few took away from this video I was saying the red dot makes you LOTS more likely to get robbed. I didn't say that, please watch the video again if you're unsure. This video was about the red dot, its noticeability (by various people, both benign and nefarious), its recognizability, and ways to control a higher visibility dot.

[nelsonclub]

I'm proud to be a Leica owner - I have nothing to hide, nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of I spent 35 years as a working Pro tethered to a studio or on location - now I am free

[lensaero]

I'm going to put some some gaffa tape over the badges on my red Ferrari, then I can park it anywhere and not worry! :)

[theblackandwhitefilmproject]

No way am I hiding my red dot! The M system is a process and the dot adds to the Leica vibe. My camera is insured so all covered there but I have never had any issues threatening my safety or security of the camera. It's about living not hiding. Cheers!

[Emlt]

I liked my Q2 with a red dot.
I like my M11P without the dot .
It’s not a big deal

[davidsaylors]

I'm either brave or stupid, I dont cover any of my Leica logos. I let them shine in all their glory... I am also 6'2" and apparently carry a foreboding disposition from what people tell me so I dont sweat it too much. Plus all mine are insured as well... Thanks for the history lesson though, that was cool. Also I honestly didnt realize my SL2 had a red badge on it, I have always seen the GIANT Leica logo on the viewfinder housing instead... lol.

[Old-School-Liberal]

I’m not embarrassed or ashamed of owning a Leica camera!

[blende.]

Do you really think, that the bad guys just look first to the brand of the camera, before they try to steal it? That’s ridiculous.

[daggaboy]

Black gaffer tape on my Q2. I started out covering the red dot on my M10R, but soon after uncovered it — cleaner look on the silver chrome finish.

[preproductionunit]

The reason I read as to why humans notice red more than any other colour could also come down to gatherers finding fruits and berries. These sources of food would mostly be a variation of red and would be commonly found in green trees and bushes. Our eyes evolved to find these red sources easier than any other colour as the whole sky was blue and most trees are green.

[WHEELBIKER]

Unless in danger of bodily harm in the area you're shooting, covering up this legendary label makes no sense.

[billyturner]

i have black gaffer tape on my SL2....might need to trim it up a bit. Thanks Gary!!

[sc]

I will cover the dot if I travel to Europe, and keep the camera on my body at all times. Otherwise, I will let it show. Although, I do like that utilitarian look of the M-A.

[AlexiusKomnenos]

I travel around the world with my cameras. By far the most attention-grabbing camera I have is the Rolleiflex. I go everywhere with it, city streets day and night, public transit, etc. It gets a lot of looks, and comments. For a thief, any camera = money. A $500 mirrorless in your back seat will get your glass broken in San Francisco. But there's no discourse about Rolleiflex like there is for red dot, but I guarantee you the average camera person would (incorrectly) guess the Rolleiflex is worth more than the Leica. Red dot discourse is a circle jerk by Leica owners. Don't want to get robbed? Use your brain. Think about where and when you go, pay attention to your surroundings. It's not your red dot.

[Old-School-Liberal]

People that would steal a Leica camera don’t even know Leica they just to steal a camera.

[px]

There are places in the world where sporting anything of value can put you in harm's way. As disparity between the have and have not increases, you need to be aware of where you are. I do not think the red dot makes a difference.
For example, in Paris France, they break your window to take your handbag if you made the mistake to leave it on the passenger seat. They also snatch your cell phone from your hand if you use it in the street in certain areas.
I had some colleagues that got pickpocketed in the Metro in Paris, and they lost wallets and passports. Most of the times, someone carrying a camera is identifed as a tourist, and becomes a target. The Leica logo does not change much.
In Italy, you have people doing profiling inside the airport, and if you rent a car, they have accomplices boxing you and taking away everything your own. This happened recently to some people I know in Catania Sicily; as they were driving, one car stopped in front of them, an other right behind. That's all it took to transform the first day of vacation into a nightmare.
The Leica Logo may imply that you have more means than others.

[codiecrieg]

To bad... my m4 doesn't have red dot. Second- people never notived my Leica but my Canon F1 yes ;3

[walkingmanvideo]

I travelled in Asia 3 weeks ago, didnt cover the dot on my camera, even left it on a cafe table while I picked up my coffee at the counter. It all comes down to where you are. Leica, sony, it doesn't matter. Thieves know what your camera is, logo or dot covered up. The best thing is to avoid using your camera or flashing expensive jewellery or devices in places where you know people are desperate for money. Gary, I like your channel but this video really dropped your points in my interest meter as I nearly un-subbed based on this video. Covering dots or brands is pointless when the thieves already know what to look for.

[girliedog]

Definetly need to cover the red dot so I don't have to listen to the stupid comments & questions about my Leica. Will I physically alter my $7000. camera? Only an idiot would do that. A simple sticker will do.

[marknachmias]

I have one or more black Leica dots somewhere. I just need to find them. LOL