[Leica] LHSA incompetence

[summicron at jam.rr.com (Frank F. Farmer)]

Dave,

I think you're exactly right about the LHSA.  I believe we met at the 
Spring Shoot in New Orleans (didn't you have a recently painted M3?) 
and I was probably the youngest person there.  I think I was 29 at the 
time.

There have been several movements over the years that I've been a 
member that hoped to attract the younger set.  Of course, the bulk of 
these revolved around removing "historical" from the name in an attempt 
to shift to a more centered position of collectors AND users.  
Obviously, the name never changed.  I don't really think that changing 
the name will accomplish anything anyway.

The main problem is economic.  Younger folks are usually not in the 
position to purchase a camera body that costs $3,500 to $4,500.  The 
society is probably in much the same situation that Leica finds itself 
in -- the cost of entry is pretty high.  There is one difference 
though, the LHSA doesn't really have new and exciting product to offer 
its new members.  Notwithstanding the meetings and a magazine primarily 
devoted to little known Leica facts and comparisons of lenses that are 
30 years old.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do look forward to receiving my issue of 
Viewfinder Magazine and I will be renewing my membership.  I also 
enjoyed meeting and talking with the folks who attended the Spring 
Shoot in the Big Easy (it was the first time I'd ever actually taken a 
tour of the Quarter instead of just wandering to Galatoire's and back 
to the Monteleone).  However, it would not be the whole truth if I 
didn't say that I, too, shared in your lack of immediate comfort.  My 
sweet wife (non-Leica lover that she is), God bless her, was bored to 
tears!

I wish that there was a way to attract more young folks to the group.  
Perhaps there are younger members who don't come to meetings.  I don't 
know.  Either way, I'll stick around to try and attract photographers, 
hobbiests, etc. with whom I have contact.  Granted, you don't run into 
a Leica user everyday in my part of the world but they are there.  Some 
are even on this list.

So, I don't have an answer for the problem.  But I do recognize the 
fact that it is there.  LHSA is an older group.  I hope, though, that 
it sticks around for while.

Madge, my check's in the mail.

Frank Farmer
Jackson, Miss.

On Nov 22, 2006, at 5:13 PM, David Keenan wrote:

> I've been a member for two years.
>
> I have been to a couple of their events included the national meeting 
> in
> Wetzlar and the spring shoot in New Orleans.
>
> To be honest, I'm not sure about renewing my membership.
>
> Madge is a sweet person and I've enjoyed meeting some of the members,
> particularly while in Germany, but LHSA doesn't really offer me much.
>
> The organization is aging, and while I'm not exactly a spring chicken, 
> I
> usually feel out of place at the gatherings. With the exception of the
> amazing photograph presentation at the Wetzlar meeting by Richard 
> Kalvar of
> Magnum Photos (who I understand to have been a last minute 
> substitute), the
> focus of other events missed me.
>
> Unless LHSA can come up with a way to attract more (and younger) 
> members, I
> fear that is it slowly dying on the vine.
>
> Dave.
>
> -- 
> My Photography: http://www.david-keenan.com
> My Blog: http://www.david-keenan.com/euroblog
>
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