I dedicate this post to Robklurfied because he is a funny guy, and I imagine how his quips would of added flavor and more laughter to our event.
Another small turnout, and another great time. One of the best moments for me is when Jeff gave me 6 rolls of 120 film. Thanks Jeff. This is not the first time that someone got a new M9 and I recieved a blow-out deal on film. Thanks Scott from the famous January Meet-Up.
I would also like to thank Barrett for his help and for MC'ing the first annual M-Body Beauty Pagent. He did a great job. I say, next year we should have another one and have Barrett MC again. Barrett was also generous and gave away two signed prints: one as a door prize; and another as a consulation prize to the runner up in the beauty pagent.
The first annual M-Body Beauty Pagent was full of surprises. While only eight people showed up, we had two M9's. The cameras were all lined up on the table, but my Leica IIIG was the first to be eliminated. "M-bodies only," Barrett said.
With two M9's present; Jeff's M9 was deemed the new one (Jeff established ownership only eleven days ago); and John's M9 was labled as the "Vintage" M9 (John has owned his for 4-5 months). If Scott had showed up there would have been an impressive total of three M9's laying on our table. In the process of elimination Jeff's M9 won by a Thumbs up grip and a 50 ASPH Lux.
John stated that he owns a Leica lens (a CV lens was mounted) and his 75 Lux was at Leica getting six-bit coded. I am partial to the 75 Lux because I own one, and this could of skewed the results in John's favor. Oh well. Some wise-ass that remained in the competition responded, "That's what they all say," to John's response. LOL. Brutal in a funny way.
But John still remained a dominant player, although his M9 was eliminated, because he had another big contender. John also brought a black M2 that had fresh paint from DAK and had a major-major overhaul and the quick-load upgrade. With new everything. this camera was like a brand new M2 from Leica. This stunning camera imediately crushed my Wetzlar Ti M6 prototype. I humbly conceeded that my M6 needed service and has a meter that drains a new battery in two days. As much as I love my M6 it stood in the shadows of John's M2.
Damaso's M6 TTL with a 0.85 VF, early TA Rapidwinder, Green TA Softie, and 50 Lux version 2 Pre-ASPH ultimately became the sole remaining competitor to John's M2. Barrett was ultimately the judge with the power of the final decision, but he weighed the contrast, pro's and cons of the two finalists openly and invited participation.
Damaso's M6 was considered a working pro PJ's first Leica that had traveled all over the world the past 5-6 years. Damaso had samples of his work as promotional items, a story of how TA rebuilt one rapidwinder he bought on E-bay, lent him another winder as a loaner in the meantime, and gave him a spare rapidwinder as a bonus when the repair was finished and shipped. All for free!!!
The only possible contender to John's Minty M2 ironically was Carls brassed out original black paint M2 with Leica winder that was not present. I mentioned to John before the competition that he needed to add a winder to complete the package, and in further judgement this was later held against him. "One demerit," I said.
And then Damaso began pimping his rig as a shooter.
Plastic still covered the engraving on John's M2 top-plate. "Remove the plastic," Damaso said, and everyone laughed. John was a great sport and laughed also, but he just couldn't remove the plastic, and I don't blame him.
We asked permission to remove the leather half case for closer examination and discovered plastic protective film on the base plate also as if it was just shipped from Leica.
The entertainment value was high with the right balance of serious and sillyness. Most of all we laughed hard. The adjoining table had a girl/ spectator for the pagent. Her vote was for the M3 because she had her father's. Honorable mention is Darren's M3 with a remarkably clean Collapsible 50 Cron (the cleanest I've ever seen). Darren was also the winner of the Door-Prize for the greatest distance traveled (California). He also already has a bulk loader.
I still have classes till the 22d of May on Saturdays. I say I perfer for the May Meet-Up to be a Sunday.
HCB at MOMA we were told is a mob scene on the weekends. We are planning on trying another get-together for during the week to see the show. Some for the second time.
Almost forgot: The winner for the First Annual M-Body Beauty Pagent is: Damaso's M6 TTL.
Kinda appropriate to the special 1997 issue of Leica Fotographia International that a M6 won.
Cal
