Re: [Leica] Re: re-Black tape flavors

["Ted Grant" <tedgrant@home.com>]

Tristan wrote:
>>-someone spotting me from across the street just sees that I'm taking
pictures. without the black tape, they see that I'm taking pictures with a
leica, there is a difference.<<

Tristan me old buddy,
Only in your dreams mon ami! :-)

A: they'd need Superman's eyesight from across the street for starters . ;-)
B: They and 1 billion or more others wouldn't know a Leica from a model T
Ford!Well OK any old P&S camera. ;-)

This Leica recognition factor many Leica owners have in thinking the rest of
the world are in awe and know exactly what a Leica is, is a complete
fallacy, 99.999999% of the worlds population have no idea what the joy toy
held so endearingly in their warm little mitts is. No one knows whether it's
$4000 USD or $4.00 as it looks like any other simple point and shoot happy
snap camera.

And as Jim Brick responded:
>>>> Maybe one-one-millionth of a difference. Out of a million people, maybe
one
> will know what a Leica is. And in general he/she will be a nice person.
And
> will wave and say... "nice camera."<<<

Absolutely correct and if anyone does mention "Leica" to your face it's
generally without question, someone knowledgeable in photography and camera
equipment. And that doesn't mean Tom, Dick, Jane and Mary amateur with P&S's
know a Leica just because they're carrying a camera and happy snapping like
crazy.

>>> I personally believe that a Leica M6 is one of the most UNRECOGNIZED
> cameras in existence.<<

And that's very nice thank you. Just the way it should be!

I know for some of you who've popped the big bucks for a shiny chrome Leica,
you want folks to see something in your joy toy cause, "it cost you a bloody
fortune" and you want them to say nice things about your Leica, kind of
helps the belly glow that you spent all that money. :-) For the rest of us
it's just a tool like having a good hammer and set of wrenches.

>>> Why doesn't someone ask Tom Abrahamsson and Ted Grant what kind of tape
> they put on their Leicas. Together, Tom and Ted have traveled to more
> places, taken more photographs, with multiple Leicas hanging around their
> necks, than most of the rest of the LUG combined. Ask them how many times
> people recognize their Leicas and how many times they have been accosted
by
> someone wanting to steal "a Leica." I can answer this. No tape, ever. And
> probably no Leica related accosting.<<<

Right on Jim! :-)  Oh and by the way folks, don't bother asking me about
tape as I've never ever used it, could never understand why people do or
did. Buy a black Leica and forget the silliness of making a bright shiny
chrome Leica look black.

Like, it's called KISS, keep it simple stupid.... go black! ;-)

>>> Can't you just picture Ted and Tom, running around with tape on their
> cameras... Gloriously funny sight! :) <<<

Yep, I figure that would be some hilarious sight to say the least, even
funnier than seeing me running away from a bunch of wimmen folk trying to
look under my kilt! ;-)

>>> ps... if you have to use tape on your camera, you shouldn't be
> photographing at all as you are already feeling embarrassed about what you
> are doing.<<<

Right on the mark and it truly is telegraphing yourself that you are doing
something nefarious and not being right up front doing your picture taking.

However, those who wish to tape be my guest, as it's your toys and if you
wish to get them all guckied up I suppose that's cool, you get to clean them
later. But I've never encountered anytime in a 50 year career as a
professional shooter where I found  it necessary.

But some folks need a psychological soother to give them false confidence,
so I suppose the gooey black tape is it. ;-)
ted