Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Good morning, I'm an old Leicaphile (with an M3 and IIIf...both used regularly), but new to the list. Since a couple of threads have been devoted to dealers lately, I wonder if anyone remembers Alfredo Olivera (Alfredo's Cameras) of New Orleans. This short, stocky and LOUD alleged former Argentine championship boxer and minor diplomat was one of the more colorful characters I've ever met in any business. He sold me my first Leica in the early 1970's (a used M4) which he restored to "better than original" condition by black anodizing the top and bottom covers (settle down, purists...it was absolutely beautiful). He was fierce defender of Leica's place in the photographic universe, pronouncing upstart Oriental camera manufacturers as makers of "Japanese junk" (you'd have to hear his rich accent to appreciate how this sounded) and Leica the only 35mm camera worthy of exposing emulsion to light. A favorite trick of his was to ask to borrow a Nikon or Canon from an unsuspecting walk-in customer, especially if the customer seemed a little "uppity". Alfredo would then hold a Leicaflex SL (brand new then) in one hand and the customer's camera in the other, both by their backs. He'd then unlatch the SL's back and and fling the camera open with its body and lens flying forward - rebounding against the back hinge - then flip it closed. There was no apparent damage, of course. He would then offer to perform the same stunt with the customer's camera. Invariably, the customer would grab his big Nikon or Canon "F" and flee the store with Alfredo yelling behind them: "...and don't come back in here with your Japanese junk!". Alfredo had a devoted...if somewhat fearful...following. Does anyone else have any Alfredo stories? Craig Roberts Boston