Why black-out logos?

35mmfilmfan · 09-09-2017, 02:50 PM

In the far-off days of totally manual film photography, when I would lug around two film bodies (instead of nowadays, when I lug around two DSLRs!), I would use slide film in one, FP4 in t'other. There were film box reminder slots on the back, but as I 'rolled my own' from bulk, they were used for a folded piece of paper to make notes on (cunning, heh ?).

The problem of knowing which body was which (both Ricoh KR10 Super) was solved by colouring the Ricoh logo on the pentaprism with a red felt-tip pen on the body containing slide film. Incidentally, I was often asked the derivation of this 'enhancement' - my reply was usually that the depth of field on the body was greater due to a larger mirror.

BTW, Dave, the only discussions I've ever had with other photogs have been other Pentax users, when we congratulate each other on our good taste, and I try to blag a drink off them.

Last edited by 35mmfilmfan; 09-09-2017 at 02:53 PM. Reason: More 'thoughts'

**Digitalis** · 09-09-2017, 10:45 PM - **2 Likes**

The K-1 is so well built if anyone tried to steal it from me I would have no compunction over beating them senseless with it.

Last time I did that with a Pentax DSLR - Pentax sent me a replacement free of charge.

**Kerrowdown** · 09-10-2017, 05:29 AM

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

This. Definitely this.

Me too, I've always do this with every camera I'm using, irrespective of brand, yes even Canikons.

Steve Beswick · 09-10-2017, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Me too, I've always do this with every camera I'm using, irrespective of brand, yes even Canikons.

I just don't tolerate that kind of crap. If someone is trying to coerce me to try some other brand I politely inform them I've tried them all, and I've kept all the cameras I like. If someone is pushy, I either tell them I've picked the best, or I not-too-vaguely imply that they are stupid sheep.

Ron_Man · 09-10-2017, 09:16 AM - **1 Like**

I shoot weddings and at some point I gaffe taped my logo as well.

My main reason is to prevent people stopping me DURING a wedding and striking up a conversation about "why Pentax and not Canikon?".

Other reason was during sessions the couple, or more specifically the guy, would constantly stare at the logo. Blacking it out actually brought that down giving me smoother sessions.

There's also the mystery of "I wonder what camera he's using" and surprisingly I have had a person or two still ask me if it's a Pentax and what lens I was using (rather than is that Nikon or Canon as eluded to my first reason).

**Kerrowdown** · 09-10-2017, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

f someone is trying to coerce me to try some other brand I politely inform them I've tried them all, and I've kept all the cameras I like. If someone is pushy, I either tell them I've picked the best, or I not-too-vaguely imply that they are stupid sheep.

Aye but when I'm working, I don't even want to enter into that much conversation, just to get on with job in hand.

sqrrl · 09-12-2017, 03:52 PM

I do it because it cuts down reflections, especially in closeups and when shooting through glass.

Avoiding gear related discussions is a bonus tho.

On the flipside I often tape gear up with orange tape (or use sparkly ribbons) when photographing at night - makes it easier to find stuff if you put it down or drop it.

surfar · 09-13-2017, 12:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Digitalis

The K-1 is so well built if anyone tried to steal it from me I would have no compunction over beating them senseless with it.

Yes,when i did this the thief came to his senses.

**BigMackCam** · 09-13-2017, 02:02 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Digitalis

The K-1 is so well built if anyone tried to steal it from me I would have no compunction over beating them senseless with it.

Originally posted by surfar

Yes,when i did this the thief came to his senses.

See how far we've come from the earliest models? If you beat someone with a *ist D, you'd be lucky to produce a bruise. The K-1 is a far more effective weapon. Why don't we see this mentioned in reviews?! Go Ricoh!!!!

35mmfilmfan · 09-13-2017, 02:25 PM - **1 Like**

Well, in that case a Nikon F on a monopod would give even the Vikings pause for thought !

**ChrisPlatt** · 09-13-2017, 03:37 PM - **1 Like**

You can buy a black replacement for the famous Leica red dot.
That way your camera will match your all-black hipster outfit.

Chris

Steve Beswick · 09-13-2017, 04:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Well, in that case a Nikon F on a monopod would give even the Vikings pause for thought !

That better be one hell of a monopod!

Dartmoor Dave · 09-14-2017, 01:01 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

If you beat someone with a *ist D, you'd be lucky to produce a bruise.

Yes, but the CCD sensor would make it a really amazingly colourful bruise.

michael markey · 09-14-2017, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by Wasp

My guess is that blacking out the brand name make the camera a little less conspicuous - something that would be important to street photographers and the like.

Yep ...that`s why I do it.
I can`t prove that it has any effect but I think that we`re "programmed " to notice script on objects .
Clearly that`s why they put them on.

09-14-2017, 01:28 AM	#29
michael markey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lancashire Posts: 136	Originally posted by Wasp My guess is that blacking out the brand name make the camera a little less conspicuous - something that would be important to street photographers and the like. Yep ...that`s why I do it. I can`t prove that it has any effect but I think that we`re "programmed " to notice script on objects . Clearly that`s why they put them on. Last edited by michael markey; 09-14-2017 at 11:12 PM.

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09-09-2017, 02:50 PM	#16
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,336	In the far-off days of totally manual film photography, when I would lug around two film bodies (instead of nowadays, when I lug around two DSLRs!), I would use slide film in one, FP4 in t'other. There were film box reminder slots on the back, but as I 'rolled my own' from bulk, they were used for a folded piece of paper to make notes on (cunning, heh ?). The problem of knowing which body was which (both Ricoh KR10 Super) was solved by colouring the Ricoh logo on the pentaprism with a red felt-tip pen on the body containing slide film. Incidentally, I was often asked the derivation of this 'enhancement' - my reply was usually that the depth of field on the body was greater due to a larger mirror. BTW, Dave, the only discussions I've ever had with other photogs have been other Pentax users, when we congratulate each other on our good taste, and I try to blag a drink off them. Last edited by 35mmfilmfan; 09-09-2017 at 02:53 PM. Reason: More 'thoughts'

09-09-2017, 10:45 PM - 2 Likes	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	The K-1 is so well built if anyone tried to steal it from me I would have no compunction over beating them senseless with it. Last time I did that with a Pentax DSLR - Pentax sent me a replacement free of charge.

09-10-2017, 05:29 AM	#18
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave This. Definitely this. Me too, I've always do this with every camera I'm using, irrespective of brand, yes even Canikons.

09-10-2017, 08:45 AM	#19
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Me too, I've always do this with every camera I'm using, irrespective of brand, yes even Canikons. I just don't tolerate that kind of crap. If someone is trying to coerce me to try some other brand I politely inform them I've tried them all, and I've kept all the cameras I like. If someone is pushy, I either tell them I've picked the best, or I not-too-vaguely imply that they are stupid sheep.

09-10-2017, 09:16 AM - 1 Like	#20
Ron_Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 221	I shoot weddings and at some point I gaffe taped my logo as well. My main reason is to prevent people stopping me DURING a wedding and striking up a conversation about "why Pentax and not Canikon?". Other reason was during sessions the couple, or more specifically the guy, would constantly stare at the logo. Blacking it out actually brought that down giving me smoother sessions. There's also the mystery of "I wonder what camera he's using" and surprisingly I have had a person or two still ask me if it's a Pentax and what lens I was using (rather than is that Nikon or Canon as eluded to my first reason).

09-10-2017, 10:22 AM	#21
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	Originally posted by Steve Beswick f someone is trying to coerce me to try some other brand I politely inform them I've tried them all, and I've kept all the cameras I like. If someone is pushy, I either tell them I've picked the best, or I not-too-vaguely imply that they are stupid sheep. Aye but when I'm working, I don't even want to enter into that much conversation, just to get on with job in hand.

09-12-2017, 03:52 PM	#22
sqrrl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	I do it because it cuts down reflections, especially in closeups and when shooting through glass. Avoiding gear related discussions is a bonus tho. On the flipside I often tape gear up with orange tape (or use sparkly ribbons) when photographing at night - makes it easier to find stuff if you put it down or drop it.

09-13-2017, 12:49 PM - 1 Like	#23
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,142	Originally posted by Digitalis The K-1 is so well built if anyone tried to steal it from me I would have no compunction over beating them senseless with it. Yes,when i did this the thief came to his senses.

09-13-2017, 02:02 PM - 2 Likes	#24
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,681	Originally posted by Digitalis The K-1 is so well built if anyone tried to steal it from me I would have no compunction over beating them senseless with it. Originally posted by surfar Yes,when i did this the thief came to his senses. See how far we've come from the earliest models? If you beat someone with a ist D, you'd be lucky to produce a bruise. The K-1 is a far* more effective weapon. Why don't we see this mentioned in reviews?! Go Ricoh!!!!

09-13-2017, 02:25 PM - 1 Like	#25
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,336	Well, in that case a Nikon F on a monopod would give even the Vikings pause for thought !

09-13-2017, 03:37 PM - 1 Like	#26
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	You can buy a black replacement for the famous Leica red dot. That way your camera will match your all-black hipster outfit. Chris

09-13-2017, 04:08 PM - 1 Like	#27
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Well, in that case a Nikon F on a monopod would give even the Vikings pause for thought ! That better be one hell of a monopod!

09-14-2017, 01:01 AM - 2 Likes	#28
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,888	Originally posted by BigMackCam If you beat someone with a *ist D, you'd be lucky to produce a bruise. Yes, but the CCD sensor would make it a really amazingly colourful bruise.