Re: [Leica] Nice Leica story.

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Ted-
Wonderful story! Really a neat Leica Moment!
Thanks for sharing it with us!
The only negative thought I have is that there is the remote possibility
that in order to make it to 102, I need to give up photography, and take up
golf! Horrors!
Shuddering uncontrollably,
Dan
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, September 03, 1999 10:27 AM
Subject: [Leica] Nice Leica story.


> Hi All,
>
> Here's a nice Leica story.
>
> We were shooting in a senior citizens home yesterday and while doing a
shot
> in the patio-garden the director of the home asked this "old chap" if he
> wouldn't mind being in the scene. When we were finished he came over
> walking quite sprightly and looked at my R8 and winder.
>
> To my amazement he said, "My that's a new fangled looking Leica, I had a
> Leica  one time, lost it in the war."  "What happened to it? I asked.
>
> "My armoured unit was over run by a German Panzer outfit and we were
> captured, tank and all. Including all it's gear and my Leica. I had taken
> up photography as a hobby and bought the Leica before the war, so I took
> the camera with me overseas."
>
> "When we were searched, a German officer saw the Leica and wanted to know
> where I had got it. He assumed I had taken it from a German soldier so he
> wanted it back. I explained I bought it in Canada before the war and it
was
> ligitimately mine."
>
> However he took it and said, "Well now it's ligitmately mine!" and that
was
> the last I saw of it! After the war I never took up the hobby again, but I
> did miss my Leica as it always felt so comfortable in my hands."
>
> I suggested he might like to hold my R8, but he declined, afraid he might
> drop it.  "Would you like to see the camera that re-placed your wartime
> loss?"  I held up an M6 which he reached for.  I put the neck strap over
> his head, he instinctively put the M6 to his eye.
>
> " They don't make them like the old ones!" he smiled.  "But it does feel
> nice, I wish I had gotten another after the war, it was such a fun hobby."
>
> While firmly shaking my hand, he thanked me for bringing him up to date on
> Leica's and was completely blown away with their cost today, then went on
> his way.
>
> The Director of the home asked, "How old do you think he is?"  "Probably
> late eighties." I responded. She says, "102 and still plays golf!!" I
> looked at the "old fella?" as he walked along, every once in a while he
> stopped to smell a rose.
>
> 102? I should be so lucky, so many things to do and places to photograph.
>
> My assistant interruped my thoughts, "Ted there's hope for you yet, that
> means you've got 32 more years as a photographer! You'll get them all
> done!" :)
>
> Thought you guys and gals might like this little anecdote of a Leica
> photographer. Actually, two Leica photographers! :)
>
> ted
>
> Ted Grant
> This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
> http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
>
>