Leica owners are just showing off!

Definitely not in my case. I wanted a small, rugged, interchangeable and relatively light camera system. I was all set to buy a Bessa R2 or 3, and then an M2 came along. Sealed the deal.

If I was showing off with it, then I'd have probably not done this on Friday:

Hanging some pictures for an exhibition of mine, and had the M2 on the floor by my rucksack. One of the security staff came along and looked at the pictures and made chit chat about how he was going to start a photography course at the Open University, and bemoaned the cost of a DSLR etc. I said he needn't spend a fortune and said that the pictures on the wall I had taken were with a normal camera, that one on the floor, he was surprised and said he'd have to look at the non SLR cameras again in that case!

It's a tool for me, just like my Autocord, just like my OM. Twice people have recognised what the camera is, and if anything it bugs me, the first time was fine as the chap was a nice fellow, but the other time someone shouted it out from a cafe and I just felt awkward you know.

Showing off isn't in my nature and I'd certainly not buy a material possession to do so.

Vicky
 
people who do not care will not write this

people who do not care will not write this

it is interesting to know that someone dose not care but spend time to write this to show to people.

have you ever heard that some real headbangers seriously tell you"i do not listen Britney spears"

grow up man
 
The human is like this, all of us. We like to make a statement by the things we own. We will hang objects like cameras from our bodies to suggest to others certain things about ourselves. Quite normal. The fact that we may actually use them for a purpose not withstanding.

The type of clothes we wear, the car we drive and the camera (etc.) we use all suggest to others (in our minds) what type of person we may be. It should not make anyone self conscious as it seems to do sometimes.

If you hang a camera or a turnip around your neck in public you are often interested in some kind of feedback. I think a person would stand out a bit more by wearing a turnip.
 
The question has such an obvious answer on RFF (see for instance http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30362 with > 4000 posts and > 600k views) that I keep wondering why it was asked.

IMO, there is nothing wrong with being proud of your toys, and it has nothing to do whatsoever with one's photographic skills. The only way bragging (on-line) about your Leicas affects your photography, is that it takes time away from shooting.
 
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A-freakin'-men. As I've written before, I'm annoyed by anyone who thinks there's an inherently inverse relationship between a photographer's interest in gear & his/her ability to take a good photo.

ferider said:
IMO, there is nothing wrong with being proud of your toys, and it has nothing to do whatsoever with one's photographic skills. The only way bragging (on-line) about your Leicas affects your photography, is that it takes time away from shooting.
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furcafe said:
A-freakin'-men. As I've written before, I'm annoyed by anyone who thinks there's an inherently inverse relationship between a photographer's interest in gear & his/her ability to take a good photo.
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This is, I think, the most succinct summary yet (in this thread) of why I started the thread.

Cheers,

R.
 
r2d2 said:
I don't understand it. Well you are annoyed by anyone who thinks... different from you? so you made this thread to complain?
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Re-read the thread, or at least, the first post. The original question is, how and to whom are Leica owners supposed to be 'showing off'? Is that complaining, or trying to discover an answer to a question I've never understood?

Yes, I am annoyed by people who accuse Leica owners of 'showing off', apparently without considering the possibility that they might actually buy the cameras to take pictures. Again, if you see that as complaining, this is your problem rather than mine.

Cheers,

R.
 
You can't show-off with a Leica as no one cares enough to be impressed. I suppose it is possible that someone thinks that they have something to show off just because they spent a lot of money on it, but they would be mistaken.

2641113924_2250836ed5_o.jpg


I bought this pair of Leica's for $30, with the lenses. That is showing off.

To me, they are both impressive.
 
IMHO, there is no difference, Brian, as long as there are toys and $$$ involved. But, like I wrote above: either way it's part of RFF's charm, isn't it ?
 
I take more pride in restoring cameras and lenses to working order. The two shown are no exception to that, they were a mess when found. Just as happy to show off a Kodak Signet 80 that required repair.

RFF has a long history in showing off gear, ie Camera and Coffee. I believe it is balanced by the Gallery and the W/NW forum. A place to show off photography as well as the gear.

Maybe we need a thread entitled "Photographers just like to show-off" or "Prints and Coffee Tables".
 
Brian Sweeney said:
You can't show-off with a Leica as no one cares enough to be impressed. I suppose it is possible that someone thinks that they have something to show off just because they spent a lot of money on it, but they would be mistaken.

2641113924_2250836ed5_o.jpg


I bought this pair of Leica's for $30, with the lenses. That is showing off.

To me, they are both impressive.
Click to expand...

Oh, Brian, the left one makes me feel envy!

That one would make me show off! I don't remember seeing any better looking camera in my life!

Amazing!

Cheers,

Juan
 
If cameras could talk- I'd love to know that one's stories. It WOULD fill a book.

Right now, it has a Canon 35/2.8 on it most of the time. Youxin Ye did a full CLA on it, and it works well. It had a lot of use, and a lot of wear. The one to the right- clockwork, and a new beamsplitter. I polished down some of the front surface marks in the Summar myself, and it does well.

I guess some Leica owners do show off... (sorry Dave, I'll try harder)
 
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