RE: [Leica] Leica O

[leica@davidmorton.org]

Rei Shinozuka wrote:

"ive got 2 m6's and though there's no logical reason to own one,
i graviate to any glass case holding shiny IIIs.  they are such
jewels!  aesthetically they celebrate the mechanical, with tiny knurled
dials and fussy engraved numerals and tick marks.  like the rolleiflex,
a charming camera.  i sense one in my future."

Same here. I have no practical use for the lovely mint- IIIf RDDA I saw
today, but it's calling to me. I have a similar attitude to Rollei TLRs too.
For 90% of my photography I use 35mm or 5x4, but I can't bring myself to get
rid of the Rolleis. They're such wonderful mechanical devices; eccentric,
charming and functional at the same time. Mark Rabiner described the Rollei
TLR as "a brick that takes pictures", and I understand what he means.

I have a huge resistance to collecting cameras. There's an old saying that
"the things you own wind up owning you", and I feel strongly that it's true
(for me, I don't speak for anyone else). It's so easy to fill your life up
with gadgets and possessions and lose sight of the goals.

In the last few weeks I've taken all of the photo gear out of the store
room, put it all in a big heap and started sorting through it going "when
did I last use that?" and "do I really need that?". The pile of items I
haven't used or don't need is growing, and will go towards funding the one
or two things I do still need.

But then my friends tell me I'm a little weird about possessions...I'm 46 in
January and don't own any property ('real estate' in American), and don't
own a car (Automobile). Just don't ask about books, CDs, cameras and
resonator guitars :-)

- -- 
David Morton
dmorton@journalist.co.uk

"The more opinions you have, the less you see." -- Wim Wenders.


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