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+[tag:photography]
+
+[tag:today_i_did_this]
+
+Blacked out lens markings
+=========================
+
+My camera lenses have white lettering printed and etched into the front describing their properties. I decided to paint over it.
+
+Why:
+
+1. I like stuff that is debadged or debranded and I think it will look cool.
+
+2. I think / assume that the white lettering is distracting and catches attention, which is bad for candids.
+
+3. I don't need my lens to remind me what it is. [I'm the one who bought it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMO0mPb-DlM "Pulp Fiction - I don't need you to tell me how good my coffee is").
+
+4. I don't need my lens to tell everyone else what it is. If they care, they'll ask. If they don't, I'll spare them the advertisement.
+
+5. I have no intention of ever selling them.
+
+I used some matte black enamel paint and a 2mm round brush. I got the best results by picking up **very** light amounts of paint and dabbing it on. Any attempt to stroke the brush or speed up the process resulted in a horrible texture. I did a few coats on each lens. If you are a chemist accustomed to handling individual molecules of substance at a time, you might have more patience for this. It doesn't look factory-perfect, but I am satisfied with the look and texture I got in the end.
+
+[![](small_27_before.jpg)](27_before.jpg)
+
+[![](small_27_after.jpg)](27_after.jpg)
+
+[![](small_1855_before.jpg)](1855_before.jpg)
+
+[![](small_1855_after.jpg)](1855_after.jpg)
+
+[![](small_55200_before.jpg)](55200_before.jpg)
+
+[![](small_55200_after.jpg)](55200_after.jpg)
+
+[![](small_glamour.jpg)](glamour.jpg)