Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I don't know if I've told this one before, but here goes: I had arranged to go on a short trip to Wetzlar/Solms with some Leica-totin' buddies from Britain and chose to cycle there with a friend (air flights between Manchester and Frankfurt). It was an early start so he arrived the previous day whereupon we chatted photography into the evening, with me showing him the newish Leica I was taking. Of course, I too, had spent some fair time considering what was best to take on such a trip as this, several lenses, loads of film and this particular body. We departed in the morning and after checking in at the airport I reached for my camera to take a shot of us about to hand over our bikes into the cargo. Imagine my dismay as I realised that the camera was still at home after the previous evening's conversation.... I had some lenses and film but no camera. My frined decided I couldn't travel without a camera and so persuaded me to buy one at the Duty Free shop. I chose the cheapest 35mm camera I could find (a Fuji Clearshot, renamed 'Cheapshot'!) and rubber cemented a Leica logo, cut from a Wetzlar tourist map, over the Fuji insignia! It was like using a box camera again, no focus, no shutter speed dial, no aperture, but it had a cute little flash that I experimented with! It was amazing what I was able to do with that. You have to consider how the pictures will come out, where you can actually expect there to be enough light for the camera to produce a decent image etc., but the overall freedom to be found in forgetting so many of the decisions involved in making the picture were liberating! Just like when you know your camera inside out and can read light levels without needing a meter, if only I still had that ability... I need to practise more. On meeting up with the other Leica colleagues at the factory, they asked about the plastic 'Leica' I was carrying and I managed to persuade a few of them that it was the product of the R&D department loaned to me after my heartbraking story! Fun and games... Jem - -----Original Message----- > > So there, Ted, that's my little story. > > Pete Groh =============================================== Next time I go somewhere like this, I will take again a 50mm lens (I wont mention the word Noctilux, this way nobody gets jealous), and make sure I enjoy myself. Regards, Horst Schmidt