p.1 #1 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
Many of you may remember the thread where I modified my previous Leica SL2 by removing the white paint from the large "LEICA" logo. I was very happy with how it turned out, although fully removing the paint does take patience and time to do it properly. Quite a few people liked the results, especially since it made the SL2 look closer to the SL2-S, which does not have white paint on the logo.
After recently repurchasing the SL2, I wanted to revisit this customization. This time, however, I realized that what stood out to me the most was the large red dot on the front of the camera. It is noticeably larger than the Leica M red dot, about 12mm versus 10mm, and it draws more attention than I personally like. That is one of the reasons I tend to prefer Leica M "P" versions...
In the past, I used Analogous to replace the red dot on my M11 with a black one, and it worked out very well. At the time, they did not offer a version for the SL2 series. While looking again recently, I noticed they now make a 12mm black dot for the SL2 and SL3, so I decided to try that first before doing anything else to the camera.
After installing it (easy instructions included btw), I am genuinely happy with the result. Simply replacing the red dot with a black one already changes the overall look significantly. The black dot is brass painted black, very well made, and fits perfectly flush with the camera body, blending in with the design. For now, I plan to shoot the SL2 like this and see if I feel the need to customize it further. I have always liked the look of the SL2 Reporter without the red dot, and this gets me closer to that aesthetic while keeping a standard SL2.
Below are a few images showing the SL2 and M11 with their red dots replaced by the Analogous black dot.
p.1 #2 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
I'm debating whether to remove the white "LEICA" paint from the logo as well and go all black. Curious what you guys think. I'm leaning toward keeping things as they are. What say you? A black dot on the SL2-S or SL3-S would give complete stealth.
p.1 #3 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
It's a matter of aiming for a good taste outcome, I think. Here, the big red dot does several things, all of them bad. It steals attention away from the mounted lens; it is comically redundant information-wise; it looks like an ice cream ad from the 60s; the font and style clash with the name plate font (itself lacking in the taste department); it is superfluous and lacks functionality; it opens up a third signage element, after the white name plate (identity) and 'operations' (control array/lens); it draws attention to the angularity and odd angles of the camera, its least attractive feature.
What about a subtle but fashionable pale charcoal (mid grey, if you like) in place of the shouty white lettering? It might look effective but still visually understated, a little subdued, that's maybe a cool combination to try.
That way, you still see the brand info, but dramatically reduce the attention theft from the lovely lenses you no doubt use on the body. If you make it black, it kind of looks suspicious, like you want to hide it, about as much as LEICA wanted to push it out there.
A school of thought is that cameras should be presented to more less 'get out of the way' as they are seen by persons in front of you. Small cameras get away with more flash because they don't threaten and they look traditional, but large bodies need careful handling. good luck!
Changing the dot brought out the tough yet elegant lines of the camera, lets the cross-hatch finish loom larger. Maybe tape several small pieces of black cardboard in place with different tones.
p.1 #4 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm debating whether to remove the white "LEICA" paint from the logo as well and go all black. Curious what you guys think. I'm leaning toward keeping things as they are. What say you? A black dot on the SL2-S or SL3-S would give complete stealth.
The black dot looks so much better! It has always bugged me that they felt they needed to put their brand name on the camera twice. And the position of the red dot also seems incredibly random on the SL cameras.
I’d probably keep the white font though. I think it gives some visual balance to the camera- also considering the buttons which aren’t blacked out. It’s also a nice-looking font imo.
p.1 #7 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
philip_pj wrote:
It's a matter of aiming for a good taste outcome, I think. Here, the big red dot does several things, all of them bad. It steals attention away from the mounted lens; it is comically redundant information-wise; it looks like an ice cream ad from the 60s; the font and style clash with the name plate font (itself lacking in the taste department); it is superfluous and lacks functionality; it opens up a third signage element, after the white name plate (identity) and 'operations' (control array/lens); it draws attention to the angularity and odd angles of the camera, its least attractive feature.
What about a subtle but fashionable pale charcoal (mid grey, if you like) in place of the shouty white lettering? It might look effective but still visually understated, a little subdued, that's maybe a cool combination to try.
That way, you still see the brand info, but dramatically reduce the attention theft from the lovely lenses you no doubt use on the body. If you make it black, it kind of looks suspicious, like you want to hide it, about as much as LEICA wanted to push it out there.
A school of thought is that cameras should be presented to more less 'get out of the way' as they are seen by persons in front of you. Small cameras get away with more flash because they don't threaten and they look traditional, but large bodies need careful handling. good luck!
Changing the dot brought out the tough yet elegant lines of the camera, lets the cross-hatch finish loom larger. Maybe tape several small pieces of black cardboard in place with different tones....Show more →
Thanks for your comment, Philip. I definitely agree that the red dot felt redundant and a bit distracting. The gray/silver idea for the “LEICA” logo paint sounds great, especially since it would match the gray tone of the buttons. I might give it a try! If I don't like it, I can always leave it unpainted or go back to white.
p.1 #8 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
fjablo wrote:
The black dot looks so much better! It has always bugged me that they felt they needed to put their brand name on the camera twice. And the position of the red dot also seems incredibly random on the SL cameras.
I’d probably keep the white font though. I think it gives some visual balance to the camera- also considering the buttons which aren’t blacked out. It’s also a nice-looking font imo.
The dot actually seems to be functional, at least to Leica. There's a small adjustment hole underneath it, but I have no idea what it's for. If it serves no real purpose, it would be much better if Leica allowed the dot to be removed and left a black indentation that matches the camera. As it is, the hole is there to access the internals.
p.1 #9 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
On the M body, Fred, the hole is for accessing horizontal rangefinder adjustment and apparently pretty easy for the user to self-perform.
I much prefer both cameras without the red dot. You may recall I removed the white lettering on my SL3 following instructions in your prior thread. I also intended to replace the red dot with the black screw from Analogous but sold that body and replaced with the Reporter so I never performed the replacement.
My vote is to also remove the white paint as well ... no arguing with taste as they say!
p.1 #11 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
I like the balck dot. I hate the white lettering. The letters are too large, too bright white, with too much separation between the letters, thus occupying and over-filling too much of the relatively large trapezoidal plane on which they appear. They blare, like writing in all caps.
p.1 #12 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
Thom wrote:
On the M body, Fred, the hole is for accessing horizontal rangefinder adjustment and apparently pretty easy for the user to self-perform.
I much prefer both cameras without the red dot. You may recall I removed the white lettering on my SL3 following instructions in your prior thread. I also intended to replace the red dot with the black screw from Analogous but sold that body and replaced with the Reporter so I never performed the replacement.
My vote is to also remove the white paint as well ... no arguing with taste as they say!
Yes. You use the same 2mm allen key as for the vertical adjustment. I have done this many times. There is also a third RF adjustment which is the RF throw length which is not user adjustable. But the vertical and horizontal are pretty trivial to do yourself.
On cameras with the red dot it’s just a sticker but on the *P* camera etc the dot is replaced by an actual screw. It’s very easy to scratch and almost as easy to cross thread so care should be used when removing/attaching it. If removing don’t use a screwdriver or coin. The correct way is an adhesive stick with a strong get tape at the end.
Also if you do the dot replacement, remove it before any service. They don’t ever reuse red dots and will not reapply it. They’ll replace it with another red dot.
**** I prefer the white paint on the black camera****
p.1 #14 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
Thom wrote:
On the M body, Fred, the hole is for accessing horizontal rangefinder adjustment and apparently pretty easy for the user to self-perform.
I much prefer both cameras without the red dot. You may recall I removed the white lettering on my SL3 following instructions in your prior thread. I also intended to replace the red dot with the black screw from Analogous but sold that body and replaced with the Reporter so I never performed the replacement.
My vote is to also remove the white paint as well ... no arguing with taste as they say!
---------------------------------------------
flash wrote:
Yes. You use the same 2mm allen key as for the vertical adjustment. I have done this many times. There is also a third RF adjustment which is the RF throw length which is not user adjustable. But the vertical and horizontal are pretty trivial to do yourself.
On cameras with the red dot it’s just a sticker but on the *P* camera etc the dot is replaced by an actual screw. It’s very easy to scratch and almost as easy to cross thread so care should be used when removing/attaching it. If removing don’t use a screwdriver or coin. The correct way is an adhesive stick with a strong get tape at the end.
Also if you do the dot replacement, remove it before any service. They don’t ever reuse red dots and will not reapply it. They’ll replace it with another red dot.
**** I prefer the white paint on the black camera****
Thanks for the input everyone, and Gordon as well. I'm very used to it now and really like the look of the black camera without the big red dot, just the Leica lettering in white.
It's well known that the red dot on the M series is critical for vertical rangefinder adjustment. I was actually referring to the dot on the SL2 and SL3. Those also have a small hole underneath that gives access to the internals (I should've taken a picture to show it). I'm not sure what it's for, but it's definitely not something meant for user adjustment. My guess is that it's something Leica service uses, otherwise it would likely be completely sealed for better weather resistance.
p.1 #16 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
chiron wrote:
I like the balck dot. I hate the white lettering. The letters are too large, too bright white, with too much separation between the letters, thus occupying and over-filling too much of the relatively large trapezoidal plane on which they appear. They blare, like writing in all caps.
You would be surprised, Leica actually doubled down on it and made the "LEICA" lettering even bigger on the SL3 series, pushing it even further into the trapezoidal front plane.
p.1 #17 · Leica SL2 or SL3 Red Dot Removal, A Subtle Custom Look
Fred Miranda wrote:
You would be surprised, Leica actually doubled down on it and made the "LEICA" lettering even bigger on the SL3 series, pushing it even further into the trapezoidal front plane.
Ugh! But I also dislike large logos on my jackets or on anything else that I buy. I actually go over the white "Eddie Bauer" logo on my jackets with a black Sharpie--looks much better that way to me!
I do like the idea of the Leica lettering going charcoal grey, though I might personally choose black lettering with a black dot--sleek and sophisticated.
, I must be simple-minded. I've never given the red dot or logo any thought on my Leica's or any cameras. 
