Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Walker Smith writes:
>It's my
>understanding that for a few years following the war that the chrome
>Leitz was forced to use wasn't the best quality.
>
I'd say for quite a few years. My IIIf RD from the mid-1950s also
suffers from chrome flaking, as does my 1949 IIIc.
>My problem -if it truly is one - is that I tend to baby my equipment and
>hate to abuse it in any way. I buy an old camera with every intention of
>treating it like a comfortable pair of old shoes. Then, when it performs
>beyond my expectations, I want to protect the darn thing!
>
It *is* possible to use equipment and take good care of it. I have
done so for many years. In fact, I think the sensible people, especially
professionals, DO take care of their gear, since that's the way they pay
their bills. It makes no sense to abuse the tools that allow you to make
your living. OTOH, I don't think it's possible or realistic to obsess
about never getting a scratch or mark on a camera (or anything else)
that you actually use.
Fortunately most (but not all) Leica models are common enough that
anything in less than like new condition is not seriously devalued by
signs of use.
Howard Sanner
flagstad@mindspring.com