I do use a label-maker to put my name and phone number on lens hoods. I have misplaced/lost a number of quite expensive ones before doing that. The label ensures I won't lose another--like the umbrella preventing rain.
One additional marking, besides my Drivers License number, is a simple line of dots, but on my hardware and tools that do not house delicate optics, mechanics, or electronics, etc., where it's too much of an expenditure of labor when large amounts of small or dumb tools need IDs on the.
A line or group of dots, with a particular grouping, made by a automatic spring activated indentation tool, a punch, like a Starrett Model 18a, can be clean, and you decide a design, with spaces and dots, that you can use for life, as a personal ID.
The whole point of marking a camera or lens with a name or number is to make it as unappealing as possible to other people.
But what happens if something is stolen and the thief adds another dot?
The whole point of marking a camera or lens with a name or number is to make it as unappealing as possible to other people. It's both a matter of taste, because if done neatly it will only appeal to somebody with the same name, or of uglification in which it won't have any resonance with anybody at all and any legitimate new owner will have to explain away somebody else's number plate etc. forever and eternity. And why nobody recommends doing these markings somewhere 'secret' on the camera like inside a battery compartment is baffling. This 'uglification' even extended to certain examples from Leica's 'a la Carte' programme where only the original owner could have any resonance with the camera. So why not just photograph your camera's serial number and all it's individual chips or dents to identify it as yours in a dispute?
That's very interesting to know, and IMO, is/was a really foolish thing to do, as everyone here knows the all too common dangers of Identity Thievery.
Hopefully whatever ID used, to mark out kit, it won't degrade it at all.
Definitely don't put your ssn on it
I remember when I was a kid, the police would loan out an electric engraver to scribe your guns etc with your social security number.
Brilliant
Hopefully, adding an out of place dot will not stop me or any police officer working theft and pawnshop detail from recognizing that base set from the camera or lens photographs.
Spacing adds a fail proof element that someone with reasonable abilities to think clearly, will recognize as a vital part in coding.
Do it or not, it's worked for me for many, many years.
I have two Leicaflex cameras that I bought new as dealer specials from Leitz with the dealers’ names engraved on the baseplate. Both were really good deals.
Of course, with M cameras, the base plate could be easily replaced.
I have seen some cameras with owner’s name on a sticker inside camera.
I get annoyed at car dealers who put their names on my brand new expensive automobile. Shouldn't the manufacturer's name be enough? Then they use personalized license plate holders with their dealer's name emblazoned on them as well. Then when the warranty runs out, neither of them wants to hear your complaints.
Do it or not, it's worked for me for many, many years.
Around here, the theft of a camera or even a whole studio full of camera gear wouldn't get any attention from the police department, so any markings would be futile--only diminish the resale value of the gear. Better to have receipts and photos of the items for insurance purposes.
Why not? People can use it to look you up now.
Adding your phone# is additional data to be engraved, and with most of us changing phone numbers over the years, now and again, might make receiving an alerting phone call a slim proposal, but go for it and have a professional do it small.FedEx dropped a repaired Minolta CLE off on my doorstep while I was out of country - signature required. Filed a stolen item report with the local county sheriff. About every three months for 2 years they would call me to say it wasn't recovered. They review pawn shop records, stolen goods recovered, and I don't know what else. I had the serial number and it never did turn up. Adding your phone number is the only thing that makes sense if you lose it.
I get annoyed at car dealers who put their names on my brand new expensive automobile. Shouldn't the manufacturer's name be enough? Then they use personalized license plate holders with their dealer's name emblazoned on them as well. Then when the warranty runs out, neither of them wants to hear your complaints.
I agree with you about advertizing badges that deface new cars. However, the dealer’s names were discreetly engraved on base of camera. These cameras were special deals that Leitz gave to very successful dealers. Dealers passed the savings on to me.
By the way, does anyone on Photrio remember Willy Schwartz and Camera View Central that was near Grand Central Station until around midn1970s. A lovely man. Lost my favorite camera store when he retired.
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