Re: [Leica] British Mags, US Mags, The third world

[Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>]

Bravo, Harold......although I like to poke the Brits whenever 
possible, your assessment is FLAWLESS....
As I've been extremely honest about in the past, I live in 
North Texas, in my own VERY small, 50 year old house....my 
mortgage is $350/mo.... we have two little Nissans (100K on each)
and old furniture....all paid for, of course.  I make about 
$25K a year, and my wife does some freelance and takes care 
of me and my daughter...we have Leicas, Nikons, beautiful home-
brew tube audio gear, etc.....bought cheap whenever/wherever 
we found it/had the money....and although I eat too much (!)
we live cheaply.....it's a good life...I wouldn't trade with 
most folks.....
Best to you/yours, 
Walt

On Fri,
23
Jul 1999, Harold Gess wrote:

> Hi Luggers
> 
> It's funny really, how people see the British as kind of 'low-budget'. I get
> a lot of UK and US magazines and what always strikes me is how people all
> over the world differ in their views/priorities. I live, as do a number of
> other luggers, in what is really the third world, and I use Leica and Nikon.
> Most of my fellow pros use Nikon, Canon, and Hasselblad, Mamiya, Leica, and
> so on, here in this end of the swamp. I think it just depends on your view.
> 
> I think a lot of pro photographers here would rather shoot quality gear and
> drive a third rate car, live in a rented house, etc. than work with poor
> gear. Hell, I would rather eat beans on toast or in Africa, pap en sous
> (porridge and sauce) for dinner than have to do without good gear, and I've
> done it too, day after day.
> 
> However, it seems priorities in the first world are often different and
> people would rather have a nice house, nice car and nice food than make the
> sacrifices for good gear. It all depends on priotities!!!
> 
> Today I saw a photographer who sells his work through Black Star selling
> Leica and Hasselblad gear to make ends meet. Life is tough. Maybe with a few
> good shoots he can eat pap en sous for a few months and replace his gear,
> maybe not.
> 
> Maybe life is all about priorities. Maybe more people could afford Leica if
> they got their priorities in order.
> 
> Best wishes
> 
> 
> Harold
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> 
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> a nice day!
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>