Re: [Leica] Briefcases are for briefs

["SonC (Sonny Carter)" <sonc@sonc.com>]

Andrew, Mark,

    I seriously hope you don't think I  neglect my cameras when I say
go out and use them.  I would never
"bang-it-around-it's-just-a-camera."

That said, I'll sing another verse of my oft-sung song.   The only way
I truly enjoy my Leica is to carry it with me every day.  I use it,
and in using it, I've worn the black chrome down where my hands have
held it while I shoot.  The paint on the back door has worn a bit
thin.

Oh, yes, l got a nick or two.  My M6 has a tiny ding just above the
eyepiece.  That's after ten years of near daily use.  (I also dinged
the rewind knob, but replaced that.)   My CL came to me dinged, but in
almost a year has not gotten any more.

My R3 is mostly a lovely gray chrome, because the farmer that bought
it so many years ago kept it with him in his pick-up truck, and used
it all the time.  It still has lots of life in it, and no dings at
all, just a smoothness and patina that I admire.

If you want to worship your Leica, I say that is OK.  Just take it
places with you and let it get the experiences that it wants.  It
hates being locked away from the light.  If you don't believe me, just
ask your Leica.  Take it out for a walk, and see how much it enjoys
being outside.

If you're fearful some goon is gonna steal it away from you, then you
probably are going to un-safe places, and should mind your own safety.

In a comment here the other day, someone said that they don't have the
time to go out and shoot as much as I do.  I let that slide, but I
want to point out that I am a full-time 12 month staff member at a
University, not faculty.  I make a reasonable living, but it is
modest, as I am a civil servant.  I have two kids at home and two now
out of University.  I shoot so much because I always havwe my camera.

I'm not a priveledged person with unlimited means.  I process my negs
and scan them direct to share with you, because I cannot afford the
cost of prints.   Yes, I own Leicas, and four Leica lenses, and I
bought all of that except the M6 second-hand.  The M6 came to me as a
trade-in, with a rebate combined with some insurance money.

By the way, when I bought my M6 new, the US price was comparable to
the current Aus cost, and my income was quite a bit lower than the
average current Aus wage you report.

Cameras are tools.  A craftman takes care of his tools.  He also does
not keep his special hammer locked away in a special tool-chest.

As they say, that's my   US$ .02

Sonny in Natchitoches
http://www.sonc.com





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