Leica LTM Gave away a Leica: am I crazy?

[siracusa]

So I gave away my beloved IIIf today. Have I taken leave of my senses?
Long story short, I have a friend and colleague who recognised my M2 the first time she saw it, and went on to explain that she was a very keen photographer when she was young, using Pentax SLRs and her grandfather's M Leica, which was stolen from a beach some time in the '90s, after which the passion seems to have died. She also did her own developing. We often end up talking photography and I keep trying to persuade her that she needs to get back in the saddle. In the end I decided to leave her with no excuse not to, by giving her one of my cameras. I weighed up the options but, given the sad theft of her own Leica back in the day, in the end I figured I had no choice. It had to be...
So my beloved IIIf (with Jupiter 8) has a new home. It's a camera I'd picked up very cheaply and have heartily enjoyed, so it owed me nothing, and doubtless I'll get another IIIf soon enough (or save up for a IIIg).
So: have I taken leave of my senses - or did I do the right thing in attempting to bring a former Leica user back into the world of rangefinder photography?

 

[rbiemer]

Good for you, I think it's a nice thing to have done!

Rob

 

[axiom]

A Chinese proverb says "Happiness lies in granting than taking". I am sure you got your share of happiness.

 

[slava]

When I notice your title first I thought that you are crazy but after reading a full story you did a right thing. Hats of for you!

 

[siracusa]

I hope so aperture64! She had actually mentioned some time ago that she may still have Leica lenses at her parents' house and that she'd look them out to give me next time she goes back. So I'm now hoping (a) she does still have some lenses and (b) they are LTM lenses that will fit her new IIIf.

 

[lcpr]

Your next IIIf will come at a stupidly good price as a way of karma rewarding you for such a good deed.

 

[JMQ]

I gave away my user Nikon F2 w/ 50mm 1.4 Nikkor to a fellow RFF member a couple of months ago because he needed an SLR camera, and I have too many sitting around. My only stipulation was that he passes it on to another person who could use it once he tires of it.

 

[zeshootist]

I think it was a great idea. PM me when you decide to give away another 😉

 

[Phantomas]

Is she also hot?

 

[siracusa]

JMQ, that's an excellent stipulation! I may have to add a backdated clause, along with a second clause that she joins RFF and posts her images!
Zeshootist, I'll be sure to PM you ;-) though if such strange impulses strike again I might first have to consult a psychiatrist or therapist to help me break the cycle before it becomes a habit😉

 

[DNG]

Good Karma heading your way!!!

I saw Black IIIg (down by a Professional) -- It looks very nice!!!
Pricey though!

Black IIIg

 

[Montag006]

siracusa, you absolutely did the right thing! It's a very nice feeling getting back in the Leica saddle.
I do like the "pass it on" stipulation, neat idea!

 

[Bingley]

Good for you. Your camera karma will be rewarded.

 

[ornate_wrasse]

I think you did the right thing. No need to have second thoughts about it. "What goes around comes around" is the old saying, and you will be amply rewarded in the future for your kindness.

 

[isoterica]

Not crazy, a good friend. Hopefully this good deed will inspire her to shoot again. If not I am sure she will deliver the camera your way again. But if so.. what a wonderful thing to see your friend alive in photography again!

 

[raid]

Well done. You made someone very happy.

 

[hausen]

Great story. Really nice to read something as positive and uplifting as this. Am a firm believer in karma and yours will now be greatly improved.

 

[wafflecakee]

This is what I was thinking.

Is she also hot?

 

[dogberryjr]

Good Karma heading your way!!!

I saw Black IIIg (down by a Professional) -- It looks very nice!!!
Pricey though!

Black IIIg

Man, that's pretty.

 

[nikon_sam]

You did the right thing for you...

I recently gave away a camera & lens to a friend who stated that she always wanted to take pictures but for whatever reason had given up on that dream...
I'm no hero...it was a camera & lens that was given to me at one point...I don't miss it at all and am actually happier that she has it and it is being used instead of sitting on the shelf like it had been...