Learning to let it go

[flip]

This Spring, after a significan wait, I received my repainted M2. Just gorgeous. As Murphy's Law would have it, it was bound to happen.

Some time in the last few days, just above the case where one's thumb reaches over, there is a depression: a small dent.

G@#$^#@^!!

How it happened, I don't know exactly. It was probably inevitable given that I like light bags and always bring a camera. I expected brassing, etc., but a dent was not welcome.

I found some old posts here where users talked about the lengths they'd go to keep their camera pristine like a sports car - a sentiment that I can appreciate as someone who uses an A&A case.

Then, I found Al Kaplan's post about dents being like gray hairs. I felt a bit better.

I know I won't sell this camera. I also know that each year I get bit less "Mint in Box". I appreciated applying this thinking to my M2. Thanks, Al. :angel:

 

[Frontman]

This is one of the reasons I like to buy rather beat up cameras, I can simply use them as they are intended to be used, without having to worry about scratching them. If I were given a chance to choose between a minty M4, or the beat up M4 like the one which Winogrand used, I would take the latter.

I often find very nice cameras, so nice that I am hesitant to use them, I usually sell them to someone else. I always keep the ugly cameras which work well, and I shoot with them whenever possible, without any worry.

 

[nikon_sam]

Sometimes it's better to have a "Not so Mint" camera...
I have sitting before me an almost mint Canon A-1 camera...it is beautiful and has just the slightest signs that it's ever been used...I dread the day I find it's first dent or nasty scratch...it's bound to happen since I plan on using this camera...sometimes battle scars add to your love of these wonderful little contraptions...

 

[crispy12]

Perhaps you can buy two M2s, one Mint condition to put on the shelf and one to actually take pictures with 😀

 

[farlymac]

If I got a mint M, I'd take a bunch of photos of it, because it would lever look that good again in a couple of days. Then I could go back and drool over the photos, instead of the camera. Drool isn't good for cameras.

PF

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I like that kind of thinking PF.

 

[Richard G]

Disappointing. But the first dent is often the last, and now you can relax more.

 

[Clint Troy]

I purchased my two MPs with the idea that they'll be going with me in the grave, probably brassed like hell. So that was the deal.

But a dent? I'm not sure I could deal with a dent. I hate dents. Sold a M5 I had because it had a dent I couldn't accept. That's just like a sock with a hole.

 

[Roger Hicks]

It's a repainted camera. It's not some rare and valuable antique. Like Frontman, I've had old, valuable cameras that were too good to use, so I've sold them: my IIIg for example. Across three decades I've also had five Leicas from new: M4-P, MP, M8, M8.2, M9. All get worn and scratched. I don't care. I bought them to use, not to drool over.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Richard G]

My M2 has not been babied but still looks great. I think the chrome cameras keep their looks much better. My chrome M9-P has a few early bright marks especially on the baseplate. I took that silly sticker off straight away, and especially as the little square information element under it interfered with the proper tripod application to the tripod bush, which is not the strongest design feature of the M9. I have dropped one lens, more than once, but a filter and, the next time, a hood were the chief casualties. I would live with the dent if I caused one. I found it harder to deal with a stolen Leica. So you are doing OK.

 

[George Bonanno]

I use a junk camera, a crappy lens and cheap filum.

The Leica crowd in NYC won't even give me eye contact... and rightfully so.

But then again... I just take pictures.

 

[mikemc_photo]

Sorta like cars....perfect Paint, mechanicals...And your scarred to take it out and enjoy it.
I like the PICTURES of perfect classics, but give me some brassing and a sharp lens!

 

[goamules]

I like to take care of my equipment, to a point. But i would not worry about a dent in a repainted camera. If you're not going to resell it, what is the point of keeping one looking brand new? To show off and say, "look, my camera looks brand new!?"

 

[mdarnton]

I recently inherited a couple of black chrome Canadian M4s. I was petrified before I saw them, because before I saw them I was thinking they were close to mint and I wouldn't want to use them, and so I was contemplating turning them into one digital M , or something. . . but they're not, so I think I'm going to keep them.

 

[flip]

I like to take care of my equipment, to a point. But i would not worry about a dent in a repainted camera. If you're not going to resell it, what is the point of keeping one looking brand new? To show off and say, "look, my camera looks brand new!?"

I agree.

I think the car analogy is valid to a point. You buy a classic, spend 2 years restoring it (knowing that restoration is not original), and enjoy using it for the vibe it gives. Someone puts a dent in the door - you can still drive it, but you lament the dent. Were the dent achieved by playing chicken at 2am driving towards an ocean cliff, perhaps I would feel greater "bond" with the dent, but it just sort of appeared.

I'm not worried - I just regret that 2 years' work got marred so soon and without me even knowing the how or when.

 

[-Nash-]

Those knocks and paint brassing just helps add character. I try to grab cosmetically worn out examples of cameras as they won't make me think about 100% preservation.

 

[Keith]

Wear, scratches etc I can handle ... dents, not so much!

When I bought my current Ford Utility brand new I was very proud of it ... then a few months later I got caught in one of those hail storms that rain down lumps of ice the size of golf balls! 😱

 

[semilog]

Anything that does not kill my cameras makes them stronger.

 

[Robert Lai]

I hate dents. I've had the top plates of a couple of my cameras replaced because of dents that were there when I bought them. Scratches in the chrome are almost as bad, but not quite as bad. I've kept the old top plates for their serial numbers, in case someone wants to properly date the cameras.

I sympathize with you. All that effort to have a nice clean looking camera, and there's now a dent. ARRGH.

 

[kshapero]

Got my M3 back from Solms, just as mint as mint can be. A couple of months later I dropped it on a hard floor. Nice dent. I guess I really own it now.