I'm falling in love

[stuart_babcock2]

Don't tell my wife, but I am in love with my M6- my first ever leica.

I don't think my RZ, Xpan, or F series ( F1, F2, F3hp, F5 ) will be seeing much action for awhile.

 

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now my question.... Is this a common reaction?

 

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Thanks!!!

 

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Stuart

[james_.1]

Oh yes. For me, another mechanical love was/is the Porsche 911 (993

type air-cooled) Carrera 4. Silver with beige leather, oh yes. : )

I don't have one but wish I did. Anyway, I even had dreams of the M6

and 35 lux before buying it. I would visit shops and handle it,

comparing it to other makes/models just to be sure it was the one

true camera companion. Looked at the Contax N1, with some delectable

Zeiss lenses, and a Hasselblad 501CM. But, the M6 was it. So, I got

one and the rest is history. What I like even more is using it.

[Spearhead]

I fall in love with pictures. Some mine, some other people's.

 

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But I never bother falling in love with machines, they are only

tools and I can't see the point.

[jessica___1]

Throw it out the window; if it is true love then it will come back;

if not then you never had it in the first place.

[dan_brown4]

It happened to me! I just sold all my SLR gear and have just the

M6TTL 0.58 with 35/2, 50/2 and 90/2.8. I just came in from the

darkroom after trying out my new bargain Rodagon. No regrets, I am

one happy camper.

 

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Only problem, I can't seem to stop daydreaming about a 28mm Summicron

and an 0.85 M7.

 

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Enjoy!

[jerry_pfile]

Love? I don't know Stuart, that's a pretty heavy emotion, generally

given to other people, or maybe dogs and cats.

 

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However, I certainly don't buy the "They're only tools" rebuttal.

 

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I'm an engineer by profession, and as such have some sense of

admiration and affection for many "tools". Not only for their

functionality, but for the thought and craftmanship that went into

their creation, not to mention their accuracy and ease of use. Snap-

On wrenches, Starrett measuring eqipment, Palm Vs, HP hand

calculators (especially those with RPN logic) come readily to mind.

 

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Do I "love" those things? Don't think so, but I'll sure confess to

affection and regard for all of them.

 

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As a matter of fact, I suspect anyone who visits this board is in

that catagory, even if it is a subconcious admiration of Leitz/Leica

products.

 

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Best,

 

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Jerry

[Spearhead]

I assume that when I die, people will remember me for what I loved.

 

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That's my wife, my son, my friends, and my photographs.

 

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If they remember me for my material possessions, especially tools, I

will have failed all the above as a human being.

[philip_allsopp]

I know for sure its not love, but I share with many of us on this

thread a great admiration for the precision craftsmanship and

superb design of the M6 and its lenses.

 

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I too have an XPan and I can tell you that the quality of the

images (sharpness, color-rendering, no vignetting etc.) I get with

my M6 are superior.

 

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I also don't buy the "its only a tool" argument. A great deal of

talent, effort, commitment and energy have gone into Leica's M

series. So, for me, my admiration is also about all those

designers, scientists and enginers who have made the camera

what it is.

 

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Phil

[andrew_schank]

Words can carry different meaning for different people--makes

comminication difficult, doesn't it? I wouldn't say I "loved" my

cameras/cars/other objects but rather that "it is a pleasure to use

them"--when they are working right that is!

[glenn_travis]

Jeff, that's your opinion, and your certainly welcome to it. But not

everyone shares your somewhat pedestrian view of the universe. For

me, lets say there's a fire at your home, and I can either save your

family and photographs, or the Leica equipment, what would I do?

[rich_green1]

Glenn,

 

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Not sure there is anything "pedestrian" (i.e. lacking wit or

imagination) about wanting to be remembered for what one

loves in life...especially those who make it worth living.

 

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If we could all be so lucky and feel thusly inspired, then I

personally feel the world would be a much better place overall.

 

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As for the fire.....

I "hope" you would save the people, regardless of the attached

value of the rest.

 

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Now as for the Leica comment that started the thread.....I am

certainly enjoying mine, as I truly appreciate in anything the

aesthetics of "quality". The overall quality of this camera and the

lenses enhances the process of photography for me.

 

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I like the results too.

 

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Cheers

[iván]

" . . . Is this a common reaction? "

 

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YES, indeed !

 

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Welcome ! !

 

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-Iván

[james_.1]

Notice I said "mechanical love" as in a mechanical thing I have a

great esteem/appreciation for. Now if we're talking about nude

young ladies who happen to be gorgeous, well DUH! Of course that's

different hahaha! Many kinds of love indeed, depends on your

definition. Yes, I would have to agree that certain individuals on

forums always do the following:

 

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1. don't talk so much about equipment (heaven forbid talk about

great affection for it)

2. don't post so much, get out there and photograph (good advice for

a lot of ppl admittedly)

3. by golly I'm hairy-chested sort who has no time for meanderings,

that's why I read the forums and respond in contrast to them.

 

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Well, that's fine, it is a discussion forum after all.

[kristian dowling]

I understand completely. I have gone through so much gear in

my 9 years with photography. Why? Because i was always

looking for better quality pictures. I don't mean better photos

(creatively), but sharper images. This was ridiculous because I

was always searching for a way to let the camera get better

pictures, such as F5 AF tracking vs. EOS 1V. That was a load of

crap for the style of photography I was trying to develop (people).

 

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So what was the cure. Leica camera with no mirror and Leitz

lenses. Now, knowing the image sharpness is there, I can

confidently focus on the picture. No more distractions from

techno jargon. All focus is on the final image. And as a result, the

pictures are better, not just sharper, but overall BETTER. IS it the

Leica? No, it's now about me and my photos.

 

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My fiance is relieved and now doesn't have to compete with the

camera for attention. fewwwww! I love my Leica, but my "Erlina"

is my true love, and when I am photographing her, everything

falls into place.

[dan_brown4]

It's only a tool, blah, blah, blah... It's all about the image, blah,

blah, blah...

 

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C'mon people, this is the LEICA FORUM, of course we love out

Leicas. Leicas are works of art in their own right, functional

sculpture, it you will. Given the choice, I'd take an M over a

photograph any day of the week.

[Robin Smith]

Well said Dan! A lot of you are very dishonest with yourselves!

[bobtodrick]

I have to agree with Jeff. Personally I think we throw out

the 'love' word too often today. Love is a deep emotion that should

convey a lot of power. I like my Leica's very much - thy are

valuable tools and I take reasonably good care of them. But in my

opinion to say 'I love' them complete invalidates the feelings and

emotions I feel for my wife and my son (and my images).

[jason]

when i received my 1st Leica it was not love at first sight!i had a

full Pentax system.The Leica was a replacement for a failed

trade and purchase of a 4x5"view camera,really not me!,to the worlds

worst 6x6slr at the time.Definitely not Hasselblad.Anyway swapped for

a new M3,Summicron,meter.After a year use,realized,i barely used the

pentaxes,all my portfolio samlples from the M3.Do i love my camera?

in many ways yes!Its been a lot more supportive and loyal than most of

my friends,partners in life and love.its a tool with a"soul".there is

no other answer.i work with tools in another profession,and they are

just tools.My Nikons,Pentax or Canon all tools.They are reqd for

photos.My Leicas are so different.I have purpose.I see more photos!

If i need to cut back on film expenses,use slr....Maybe take 2 pix in

a week for self.The M3,Ziggy feels like a living thing in my hands.

The 50 Summicron an extension//duplication of my view of the world..

Do Leicas use more film? Yes!

[chansonbleu]

This is for Jeff. I am uneducated and Blue Collar so please bare

with me. As a Machinist and Craftsman alot of me goes into every part

I make. If you were to line up a bunch of parts made in the shop I

could tell you who made them. By the finish, how much tolerance was

used etc. So I view things mechanical that are well crafted the same

as I view photography. Where I work we make custom instraments for

light measurement. Unique to every customers need. That is what

attracted me to Leica. Having a hand built camera made by craftsman

who care (either in Portugal or Germany). I have an emotional

attatchment to my equipment. It goes with me everywhere. It is valued

more than a pair of pliers or a cresent wrench. So as you Love

photographs made by others and yourself, I love things well crafted

made by others or myself.Including your photographs.

 

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Regards

Steve

[douglas k.]

Good grief!

[jay bee]

Does everything have to denigrate into an argument over semantics?

Clearly the original posting indicated a new convert to the world of

Leica can't we just focus on the intent of his message on not evolve

it into what the meaning of love is. Thought this was a group of

Leica enthusiasts not lawyers...

[bobtodrick]

As long as the name calling doesn't get too nasty I think these

kinds of questions are great. There is alway lug or Leica's own

forum if all you want to discuss are MTF charts, filter sizes and

why Leica should be crowned god/godess fo the universe.

[Allen Herbert]

So as you Love photographs made by others and yourself, I love things

well crafted made by others or myself.Including your photographs.

 

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Me too.

[philip_woodcock]

My Leica and my Gibson Les Paul have never let me down or cheated on

me or lied to me or not paid back money they owed or ran off with

another bloke or argued with me....

 

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Yes i love them both

[kristian dowling]

Dan, you said it damn straight!

 

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But it is true that I am trying to focus on the images, and not the

equipment. I get my equipment relief on this forum of which 80%

of posts are equipment related, right?

 

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Shit I love my Leica. But it is just a camera, right?