[Leica] IMG: There Was a Time ........................

[Jim Nichols]

There was a time when I used Leica gear exclusively, albeit bought 
used.  My first real camera was a Leica IIIa (originally a III, factory 
converted to IIIa), to which Leica New York had added a flash synch 
baseplate and flash gun, flash bulbs only.

As a young USAF Lieutenant, stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, I 
explored the camera shops and pawn shops in Dayton.  In the basement of 
the Salem Camera Shop, near the intersection of Salem and Lexington, was 
a used camera shop run by a real character named "Trader" Horn.  Since 
it was close to our apartment, I visited the shop frequently, and, 
finally bought the Leica IIIa, complete with a coated Leica Elmar 
50/3.5.  It was my only camera for several years.  It produced wonderful 
images. But, as my family grew, and my eyes got older, I started looking 
for a more friendly viewing system.  Finances would not allow me to 
consider the Leicas of that era.  So, I strayed.

I did buy a used Leica IIIf as a graduation gift for my youngest son, 
because he had an interest in photography.  He still uses a Panaleica.

Here are three images from 1952, all made with my Leica gear.

http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/20070810-Art+Institute+1952.JPG.html

http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/20070708-Wide-Gear+Monocoupe+Dayton+OH+04+52.JPG.html

http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/20070706-Vicki+at+the+Piano+52.JPG.html

Comments and critiques welcomed and appreciated.

-- 
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA