From Now on it's "Evil Nick" - I've Gone Over to the Dark Side...

[Jack Conrad]

What did he pay for it? Apparently not much since he was willing to give it away. I wonder what other Leica gear went cheap? You said you have been wanting a lens such as this. Perhaps it was the LORD that wanted to bless you. Now you missed out on the blessing. See, these things work both ways. It wouldn't of been wrong of you to have accepted the lens. But I still admire you for what you did because it felt right to you.

Good point, really. Though, a counter argument may be that the acquaintance snagged the lens for $2 from an old lady with bad teeth who will now die because she can't afford a dentist. 😱

But, maybe God needed the old lady at His side for some important work upstairs? 🙂

 

[oftheherd]

Not to be a copy cat Nick, but well done. Regardless of occassional misgivings, you will always find it easier to look at yourself in the mirror each morning.

 

[gb hill]

Good point, really. Though, a counter argument may be that the acquaintance snagged the lens for $2 from an old lady with bad teeth who will now die because she can't afford a dentist. 😱

But, maybe God needed the old lady at His side for some important work upstairs? 🙂

Might be right, but I wonder why the husband didn't inform her or any kids (if any) the value of his gear. I can't believe all he had lying around of any value was a 19mm R lens. I informed my wife of all my stuff's value in case I go before she does. Wish I was at that estate sale.

 

[f16sunshine]

What a disappointment. Hand in your horns and pitchfork immediately. 😀

 

[Rangeman133]

Also, the Western idea that karma means that "something will come back to you because of your actions" is completely wrong, that is not the Eastern concept of this word.

Nobody answered the other poster.....did he rush back to the estate where he got it and offer them more money?

well done OP! you definitely did the right thing.

but i also don't believe in karma either, sorry. but i do believe, that good things tend to happen to people, who do good deeds. i think there's a logical explanation for why this is. if karma is about a spiritual force, keeping the world balanced, then i don't believe in it. but if someone notices your good deeds, then that person is more likely to return a favor (but not saying you should do good, and expect something in return).

 

[Gumby]

Perhaps it was the LORD that wanted to bless you. Now you missed out on the blessing. See, these things work both ways. It wouldn't of been wrong of you to have accepted the lens.

Amen, brother. That's what happended to me one day. A guy I casually knew showed up with a bag full of camera gear that he was going to donate to a charity sale but for some reason didn't. He knew I used film cameras and offered them to me. They were probably worth about $200 but he did not want compensation since he was going to throw them in the trash if I didn't take them. Money wasn't his goal. Money isn't always the issue. Sometimes people have no interest (even when something is "valuable") and just want to get rid of it. What would have been wrong is lying about the value.

 

[MaxElmar]

Best story of the week, Nick. Thanks. And well done. Virtue is its own reward.

 

[I Love Film]

There it is.

I would be looking at myself in the mirror and taking a photo of myself smiling with my new 19mm lens.

 

[agour]

karma would have got you back if youd taken it

 

[N.delaRua]

..... I had a similar experience once... I had a photography friend who made living from photography but never knew much about gear except that he was provided a budget and bought the best gear he could.

He inherited a Hassleblad 500c and 80 mm planar from the department from years and years ago after someone handed him a box of stuff that had been in the closet.

He said the Hassie was broken, but I had a funny feeling it was the classic "jam" when the lens is cocked but the body is not or vise versa. So I asked if I could borrow it.

Quick fix. Camera has light leaks in the back (nothing some electrical tape can't remedy), and sticky shutter but still produced excellent pictures. One day he asked how my new paper weight was doing, and I told him GREAT!

 

[btgc]

Great move!

And now post some pictures you've already made with it 😀

 

[NickTrop]

I would be looking at myself in the mirror and taking a photo of myself smiling with my new 19mm lens.

Ya know.....?

 

[wafflecakee]

how much do these go for exactly? I might have an opportunity to flip one, what should I look for?

 

[Leigh Youdale]

The majority of posts seem to be elevating Nick to some sort of sainthood whilst he's into heavy self flagellation.

Is all this necessary? Couldn't you have negotiated an agreeable exchange price that left you with a a nice lens at an affordable price that you don't feel guilty about and also satisfied the bearer that you're a really nice guy and that he did rather well out of it?

I got my first Rolleiflex that way. The guy selling it had never used it - inherited from his father - and wanted it to go to a good home where someone would appreciate it. He wanted to give it to me but that was just too much! In the end we agreed I'd pay $400 for it - about half of what it was really worth - and he wouldn't take any more.

 

[Nikon Bob]

The majority of posts seem to be elevating Nick to some sort of sainthood whilst he's into heavy self flagellation.

Is all this necessary? Couldn't you have negotiated an agreeable exchange price that left you with a a nice lens at an affordable price that you don't feel guilty about and also satisfied the bearer that you're a really nice guy and that he did rather well out of it?

I got my first Rolleiflex that way. The guy selling it had never used it - inherited from his father - and wanted it to go to a good home where someone would appreciate it. He wanted to give it to me but that was just too much! In the end we agreed I'd pay $400 for it - about half of what it was really worth - and he wouldn't take any more.

Well said. I was beginning to wonder if anyone else thought the same.

Bob