The Orange shutter button is a great design item, but it's a disaster to X2D owners.
It advertises that this is very expensive camera which is worth stealing by thieves in any country. Nice design Hasselblad but a really bad idea for foreign travellers.
I have asked Hasselblad if they make a Black? cover to hide this Orange button from potential thieves but alas, they do not supply any form of disguise for this highly visible Orange button.
Perhaps one of the list members could suggest colouring this button with a liquid? that one can use which would be easy removed at a future date without damaging this beautiful camera.
Hasselblad could easily solve this problem by making an alternative replacement cover for the shutter button - are you listening Hasselblad?
In fact I think the orange looks cheap, I prefer the H silver ones
But surely the large "HASSELBLAD" name on the front is more of a give away then a orange "button" LOL
I solved that problem by spray painting 3M micropore adhesive surgical tape with satin finish black paint and using that to cover the orange button. I cut a large disc that overlapped onto the camera body. The tape is flexible enough to allow you to operate the release. You could cover the white body engravings the same way. Tape adhesive will dissolve in alcohol, ethyl or isopropyl.
I taped mine a few times for this exact reason sadly the tape never lasts. but its also cool to learn I wasn't the only one with this thought process. i hope you and we all can find a good solution.
Quote from: Gravastar on March 19, 2025, 02:19:26 AMI solved that problem by spray painting 3M micropore adhesive surgical tape with satin finish black paint and using that to cover the orange button. I cut a large disc that overlapped onto the camera body. The tape is flexible enough to allow you to operate the release. You could cover the white body engravings the same way. Tape adhesive will dissolve in alcohol, ethyl or isopropyl.
can you show me a photo of yours, I will show you mine. lol
I just returned from a project in Spain and in preparation I carefully applied half inch electrical tape with a matte finish over the big HASSELBLAD nameplate on the front of the camera. I think the name plate (or even just its bold appearance) suggests 'valuable' or translates in English to "Steal me." One person said to me "nice Hasselblad" and I was surprised so I asked how he identified the camera by asking if he had one or was a pro photographer and he just pointed to the white "Hasselblad" engraving on the top of the lens shade. A police lady told us that in Spain the thieves don't shoot you or stab you - they just take your property and move along. That was in Barcelona which is a dangerous place for tourists in terms of losing your property to thieves.
I've travelled all over the world with a pair or three X2D's. Even when taped people ask me how I like the Hasselblad. To think a theif is only aware because of the orange shutter is preposterous.
It's a camera. They'll take anything that's saleable. Do you think theat a Hasselblad is more a target than a Sony? Of course not. Having said that I've had Leicas and Hasselblads in over 40 countries with no issues. I'm hyper aware of my surroundings at all times.
Gordon
always one of the first things i do is tape my cameras, I've tried to tape the button several times it just sadly never really works so yes. please show me your solutions and cameras.
Put a red dot on it as camouflage ::) .
What is the point of having a camera and sticking tape all over it, the solution is called "insurance"!
If the orange button looks bad black tape looks terrible
the black tape looks awesome ;-)
Thieves are trained to look out for easy prey & they will avoid anyone who sling their cameras plus if you bring along tripod, they think you are a working professional & respect you that you are working & very cautious of the surroundings 😀
Quote from: Faithwell on March 19, 2025, 02:41:29 PMThieves are trained to look out for easy prey & they will avoid anyone who sling their cameras plus if you bring along tripod, they think you are a working professional & respect you that you are working & very cautious of the surroundings 😀
OK - how often is a professional robbed or has the equipment stolen?
Need to minimize transparency by camouflaging as much as possible. Thanks for Sir_ian for the tips. Am using Daiso Soft Fastener Tape.
Sorry guys, but this whole discussion is pretty silly... To begin with, we are talking about an orange spot instead of the big Hasselblad across the body. The orange dot has not been a Hasselblad icon like the red dot has been for Leica; it is a fairly new design.
What's more, thieves come in two variants: those who know their cameras and those who don't. The first group will not be fooled by a button that has been taped or tampered with - they know it is a Hasselblad anyway. The second group is out there to steal cameras and they wouldn't know a Hasselblad from an XYZ brand if it kicked them in the face. So, it looks like we are offering solutions instead of a problem. And a first world problem at that...
I have travelled extensively and I have never had an issue when I had a Leica or now that I have a Hasselblad. I am 100% convinced that if someone is out to steal my camera, they will try to do it anyway.
It sound a bit smug to me, sorry...
Fascinating how one can uglyfy one of the best looking cameras on the market.
so you see a camera with tape over its name - boy that's expensive. So I'll steal it !
Quote from: pat m on March 20, 2025, 03:30:57 AMso you see a camera with tape over its name - boy that's expensive. So I'll steal it !
Exactly. Totally self-defeating. Seems to be the same psychology as those who buy expensive cars and have the logo / model badge removed.
I have no idea what thieves look for. If you want to take photos, your camera is inevitably visible. There's no such thing as 100% protection against thieves; you're not immune to being careless for a moment. Photography insurance might help you relax.
Otherwise, my experience has been that the X2D is rather inconspicuous. So far, only two people have approached me about the camera, and they were already considering buying a medium format camera.
My old Nikons have generated considerably more interest.
Quote from: David Mantripp on March 20, 2025, 08:08:15 AMQuote from: pat m on March 20, 2025, 03:30:57 AMso you see a camera with tape over its name - boy that's expensive. So I'll steal it !
Exactly. Totally self-defeating. Seems to be the same psychology as those who buy expensive cars and have the logo / model badge removed.
as a person who has interviewed many a thief both in the states and in EU in places with a high theft rates I can tell you right now that its not what their eyes looks for..
A. when they see black tape on a camera it usually looks like the camera is well worn/ banged up and well used so its less desirable but that's just 1
B. a SHINY big logo on the front is a greater signal than having to play a guessing game with what kind of camera that is.
C. this big orange button is the same as that red dot. its a GPS for some who know what they are looking for. but most don't and they just look for an camera owner not paying attn most and I stress MOST of us seem to have a great deal of common sense and awareness with how we are using our tools.
anyway carry on bro's ;D
I used to marvel at people who buy a beautiful leather couch, then put an ugly plastic cover over it (to protect the leather). They never actually get to appreciate the beauty or feel of the leather. Still, each to their own
I saw something quite amazing on one of the Hasselblad forums on FB... some members from India proudly showing their Hasselblad camera and lenses in a bright red Peli case with the Hasselblad logo prominently printed on the side of it.
Wow. I commented at the time "steal me!" lol
Quote from: pat m on March 20, 2025, 11:59:51 AMI saw something quite amazing on one of the Hasselblad forums on FB...
Send them here if they are good people :)
anybody here had ever a camera stolen because of red dot or orange shutter button?
Exercise, eat soup, shave my head, and not smile. 110 kg, 1.90 m, no one has ever stolen anything from me.
Let's stop joking. Unfortunately, you have to be very careful in certain places. In Paris, on the metro when it's full, I don't take the Hassel, even if there's a magnificent architectural panorama. As a result, we increasingly avoid these kinds of places. The strap gets cut with a box cutter, and thieves make off with a bag or a camera. So it's better to take every precaution and, as they say in France, not to tempt the Devil.
I remember years ago I was in a restaurant in Stockholm and there was a guy with a titanium version of a Leica M laying next to him on the table and when I left the restaurant I asked him how much he liked the camera he said he took only 2 pictures ever with that camera. So what is camera for: a status symbol or a tool to generate images.
A tool has to be used and not displayed. So my cameras are in my hand to be used or in a bag protected to a large degree from the elements or other humans.
Quote from: Seb76400 on March 22, 2025, 09:10:41 AMExercise, eat soup, shave my head, and not smile. 110 kg, 1.90 m, no one has ever stolen anything from me.
Let's stop joking. Unfortunately, you have to be very careful in certain places. In Paris, on the metro when it's full, I don't take the Hassel, even if there's a magnificent architectural panorama. As a result, we increasingly avoid these kinds of places. The strap gets cut with a box cutter, and thieves make off with a bag or a camera. So it's better to take every precaution and, as they say in France, not to tempt the Devil.
Had a close call when I was in Austria 3 years ago, boarding a subway when 2 foreign ladies not their locals kept on pressing me preventing me from taking an empty seat until my wifey scolded them off. Lo and behold before the train door shut, both these ladies just ducked off. Fortunately my wallet was in my anti-thief PacSafe backpack. Had seen too many thieves being caught by local polices in broad daylight in Europe for stealing wallets. Situation is getting worse now to the extend that the local citizens are mindful of venturing during nightfall due to the huge immigrants gathering. Last year, to my surprise, a seasonal German traveller asked whether Singapore is safer to migrate as he has intention to do so for his own security and safety. So, take whatever precautions if you are in doubtful locations.
Quote from: acg69 on March 20, 2025, 02:46:06 AMSorry guys, but this whole discussion is pretty silly... To begin with, we are talking about an orange spot instead of the big Hasselblad across the body. The orange dot has not been a Hasselblad icon like the red dot has been for Leica; it is a fairly new design.
What's more, thieves come in two variants: those who know their cameras and those who don't. The first group will not be fooled by a button that has been taped or tampered with - they know it is a Hasselblad anyway. The second group is out there to steal cameras and they wouldn't know a Hasselblad from an XYZ brand if it kicked them in the face. So, it looks like we are offering solutions instead of a problem. And a first world problem at that...
I have travelled extensively and I have never had an issue when I had a Leica or now that I have a Hasselblad. I am 100% convinced that if someone is out to steal my camera, they will try to do it anyway.
It sound a bit smug to me, sorry...
This is why I pointed out the name on the camera why worry about the shutter button, you don't see Jag, Merc owners covering the name of the cars up with tacky tape
What is the point of owning a Leica and taking the red leica logo off, I agree 100% pointless discussion as acg69 said
I regularly use black electrical tape to cover potential ingress points on my X bodies when I travel to places like Iceland and Vermont where I will shoot in rain and snow with high winds. I am worried about the camera/lens not being weatherproof. So far, so good. However, that's for another thread.
Do you find the Black electrical tape marks the body and is difficult to remove
Do you find the black electrical tape marks the body and is difficult to remove the residue at a later date
Quote from: miguelx2d on March 28, 2025, 03:11:13 AMDo you find the black electrical tape marks the body and is difficult to remove the residue at a later date
No, the tape seems to come off quite cleanly with no residue. However, if you have a protective cover on your lcd screen, there may be some residue left on the cover if you put tape around the top of the screen to limit any water penetrating behind the lcd screen. That happened to me a few years ago in a snowstorm with my X1D II and had an $800 repair bill.
Perhaps it would work with cars LOL
Quote from: CanNik on March 30, 2025, 03:59:35 AMPerhaps it would work with cars LOL
NAH for cars it usually used when you have a new model. Draws paparazzis like flies to rotten fish :)