[Leica] Leica future and diehard fans

[pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein)]

Whenever a something has the cachet of "best," somebody wants to tear it 
down.  Ditto when something is very expensive, or is a marker of social 
standing.  It's human nature.  People love to knock statues off pedestals.

Factor in the snobbery (real or perceived) that devotees of said items 
sometimes display, and you've got a natural target.  "Bentley, shmently. . 
. my Chevy gets me there just as well, and we don't need no steenkin' Grey 
Poupon, neither."   Witness the near-universal delight when Oprah was not 
granted the customary VIP privilege of late entry to an Hermes 
boutique.  No matter which side you were on, the other was ripe for riposte.

Announce that you own a  Leica or Hasselblad, a Rolex, a Mercedes or a BMW, 
are a member of Mensa, raise orchids, or genuinely prefer classical music 
to Country/Western, and there is a pseudo-populist on the next corner just 
waiting to bring you down.   Which is probably why I black-tape my M bodies 
and soft-pedal my Leica ownership. I don't want to deal with people who 
think the the Leica in my hand means I think I'm better than they 
are.  "No, I'm not rich, I bought it used, I just like the lenses and can 
focus better with a rangefinder."

Such dynamics operate even within our little cult. We all have our sacred 
cows and blind spots, and others will happily point them out.  When kept in 
the spirit of good fun among friends, it can be enjoyable.  Too bad it 
sometimes degenerates into vitriol.

--Peter