On one of my walks this week I started to think … Hey, there were a lot of Leica’s at the Mermaid Parade, and they stood out from the masses of black plastic digitalia surrounding me, mostly all equipped with bazooka sized lenses. Trouble was that every time I saw one hanging around someone’s neck it made me feel good, and every time I said hello, smiled or gave an acknowledging nod to a fellow traveler I got bupkis!
That’s right. Every time I attempted to display my comradery I got the cold shoulder! What the $%#%^&* Could it be because around my neck there hung such a camera?
It didn’t bother me the first time or two, but after being blown off four or five times I began to wonder what was going on here. Was it a competitive thing between aging white men … M2 and M3 vs M6 or MP or MA? And then there was the guy with a Rollei. Forget it … he didn’t even make eye contact!
Am I reading too much into this or was there something sinister at play here? And what does this portend for our democracy and world peace? After way too much thinking about this I think I came to the answer … it was my old tiny chrome lenses with equally ancient metal shades attached to them. They weren’t the overly large modern black lenses with the name Sumilux and/or the letters ASPH or APO in bright white adorning their barrels.
And what if I had an even older Leica IIIG, or God forbid a IIIF or IIIC with some kind of collapsable lens? Perhaps they might have thought of me as quaint … but probably not.
So where’s this little diatribe going anyway? Is this a case of White geezers with excess disposable income looking down at mere mortals possessing ancient tools? Little do they know how stupendous the 50mm Rigid Summicron and diminutive 35mm f/2.8 Summaron are. Bozos! These oldies but goodies are my favorite M lenses. And yes, I’ve owned all the modern glass in these focal lengths, except the 50mm Noctilux and Summicron ASPH that are so ridiculously expensive and/or are designed for unique applications (little if no light) that only the wealthy or those resigned to eating dogfood can afford them. The older lenses are what Cartier Bresson, Frank, Eisenstaedt, Smith et al. used. So come on! Enough said!
I sincerely hope those fellow Leica users made some wonderful pictures … if they were able to get beyond the awe of what they were fondling.
Just remember, you can make a great picture with whatever you have; it’s the picture that matters after all, isn’t it?
Ok … rant completed. Actually, that was a lot of fun and I feel a lot better now!
Stay well,
Michael
Yes, Michael, you hit the nail on the head. You’re in the wrong country. Don’t get me wrong. I believe in the US. After maybe a lifetime of sort of not. If you were wearing your Leica M cameras in Hong Kong (not sure about that these days) or Bangkok, you’d get a lot of not only smiles — and the old and young would be coming up to you for a chat. And, when I see anyone with a Leica, Hasselblad, or Rolleiflex, my beloved camera, I go up and say, “You’ve got a REAL CAMERA! Well, not just those but any film camera. Now, alas I have neither a Rollei or a Leica. Had ’em and want one of each again. As for Leica M’s what 35mm camera is more reliable? Easy to focus. But I do want a built in meter — so that means only one thing. Get an MP. NEW. One story: In Istanbul, in the Taksim district, I saw a womean with a ‘Blad. (Oh, I want one of them too). She was Polish, I think but maybe living in Germany. She had only started using it. We exchanged emails addresses or maybe I just got hers. We wrote each other a few times.
My Leica idea: Ride the Thai trains and make this a project. From the old days and with an M4 and an old Canadian 35mm Summicron, I made a few good photos. Little did I know then that the Thai trains would make a great human project. Now of course everyone’s nose is buried in a dumb-smartphone.
But maybe those three young ladies are still there, the one on the right gazing out the window but being held by her friend, and the other sitting on the hard wooden seat’s rail, holding a big soda and looking at nothing in particular — on the old third class train from Bangkok Noi to Kanchanburi.
Paul,
Do that project with whatever camera you have! The MP will set you back a fortune. Very nice camera, but I really like the M2 and M3. The M4 is also great. If you were going with one with a built in meter take a look at the M5 … a terrific, but misunderstood wonder!
Best,
Michael
Michael, I have a suggestion for your Leica-Wearing Blues. Maybe it’s not 100% but here goes. Next time carry a Graflex with flash bulb attachment and have a big cigar hangin out your mouth. Oh, and don’t forget the trench coat and fedora.
Then if you don’t get some smiles, you might as well give up and move to the City of Angels (where I can show you around) , IE, Krung Thep,
“The great city of angels, it’s where the immortal divinity dwells, the invincible city, the royal capital endowed with nine precious jewels and full of joy, it is abundant with enormous royal palaces, it’s where the reincarnated angels reside, at the order of Inrda, Vishvakarma majestically built the capital.”
In fact, you must certainly avail yourself of this opportunity; and the Graflex, the flashbulbs, the outfit, with your already excellent karma you will be reach celestial highs among those who are as you, seekers of truth, beauty, and sublime grace.
Paul,
Great idea!!! I love it!!! But alas, I will need to make do with the Leicas and my dear Plaubel Marina. Maybe the Makina would go better with the coat, hat and cigar!
Best,
Michael
Michael
Hehe, maybe mermaids draw cranky old geezers? 😎
I’ve had a number of friendly and enjoyable interactions with random folks here in the US (although not about a Leica), a large percentage were related to a TLR — but a mere Yashica 124G. (And then there’s the 8×10 pinhole camera ….)
Dave,
Great to hear from you and hope you are doing well! We should get together sometime!
Best,
Michael