Oy vey

Teuthida said:
Standing on Sunset Beach in Hawaii today at a scenic overlook. Leica M5 in hand (only because I've learned never to leave anything in a car in Hawaii).

Japanese tourist with m9 with a 50 Summilux (with red filter!) and X2 approached me to inquire about my camera. Had no idea Leica made "old" film cameras.
Click to expand...


Whoa, wait: they make "red" filters?! For how long has this been going on?
 
sparrow6224 said:
I published a novel once, and in it the wife of the ambitious main character remarks, "Every time your income rises, a little more of your conscience has to die." That said, and I stick by it, I have problems with this anecdote as a lesson in the morality of wealth. For if the gentleman had known from the serial number on the M5 -- somewhere in the 1,3xx,xxx I presume -- its year of manufacture; and all the lore surrounding that first metered M; and its failure in the marketplace; and everything else that would make it clear he really knows not only his Leicas, but his photography.... and he was nice to you and bought you a drink, would he then get a pass? Likely so. Either man described -- the boob and the aficionado -- can be someone brutally dedicated to wealth above all considerations; and either could be someone who has by luck, and without exploitation or abuse, become wealthy, and could be a good man, and his expertise in photo matters, even owning so enviable and costly a set of camera and lens, is not a good basis for making the distinction. In short: you can be a camera vulgarian and still be a decent human.... though I grant you, it's hard to imagine.
Click to expand...

Well put. He was a very nice guy, and we shared a thumbs up about the fact we shared the same camera. I guess I'm just an old guy with a failure of imagination, not understanding how anyone could own a Leica without understanding the rich history. Of course, many people find it irrelevant and I get that. I just find it amusing, given that Leica means exquisite mechanical film camera to me and the digitals are an afterthought. Frankly, I'd much rather have a d800e than an M9, although I do love my M8.

I have a close friend who is rather well known in European photographic circles, in his 50 s like me. Been shooting with an m4 forever. Every time I pull out my m8 he remarks that he just "doesn't see the point". He's currently using a MF digital back when he needs digital files, but all his personal work is done with his M4.
 
sparrow6224 said:
I published a novel once, and in it the wife of the ambitious main character remarks, "Every time your income rises, a little more of your conscience has to die." That said, and I stick by it, I have problems with this anecdote as a lesson in the morality of wealth. For if the gentleman had known from the serial number on the M5 -- somewhere in the 1,3xx,xxx I presume -- its year of manufacture; and all the lore surrounding that first metered M; and its failure in the marketplace; and everything else that would make it clear he really knows not only his Leicas, but his photography.... and he was nice to you and bought you a drink, would he then get a pass? Likely so. Either man described -- the boob and the aficionado -- can be someone brutally dedicated to wealth above all considerations; and either could be someone who has by luck, and without exploitation or abuse, become wealthy, and could be a good man, and his expertise in photo matters, even owning so enviable and costly a set of camera and lens, is not a good basis for making the distinction. In short: you can be a camera vulgarian and still be a decent human.... though I grant you, it's hard to imagine.
Click to expand...

This is an intelligent observation, but I think the feeling of the OP is really summarized by the thread title. I am pretty sure that most RFFers fall in the category 'not scraping bottom but not getting anywhere fast'. The OP encountered a well-heeled tourist who picks up an M9 the way the rest of us would select a cheap point & shoot. The effect is .... disconcerting.

I don't think 'jealousy' is the right word. Rather, when a person behaves in this way they cheapen the valuable item they have acquired. For most RFFers an M9 would be a Very Big Deal. Months of saving or taking on a debt, I can imagine them waiting anxiously for the delivery to arrive, opening the package with trembling hands - you get the idea.

But Rich Business man walks in the store, and says "gimme the best camera ya got."

Come to think of it, who is really better off?

Randy
 
In thinking about what I found off putting about this encounter, it's not that the guy was a vulgarian. It's this: I recently picked up a beautiful black m4 from a forum member. It looks like its never been used. The camera is exquisite, a mechanical work of art. It feels so right in ones hands. It's a small piece of perfection in an imperfect world. In spite of its own charms, A digital Leica seems a vulgarization of such perfection, and this man's use of said seemed to me to embody that vulgarization.
 
sig said:
Lost in translation?

Maybe both of you came out of this conversation in a good way?
Click to expand...

lost-in-translation-underwear-moments-1.jpeg
 
Teuthida said:
A digital Leica seems a vulgarization of such perfection, and this man's use of said seemed to me to embody that vulgarization.
Click to expand...

what's beautiful to you is vulgar to somebody else. i find the idea of shooting film in 2012 to be a bit vulgar. sure i appreciate the beauty of old leicas and of film photography----but to call modern technology vulgar from the comparison of it to old technology is an (1) improper comparison and (2) not valid as the digital technology is light years more important today than film photography.

emotions aside, that is the undeniable truth. does that mean that people shooting film own vulgar cameras? of course not! people have passion for film cameras and film photography and that's great. does it mean that the digital versions are vulgar? absolutely not. they are the NOW.
 
IEDEI said:
what year mexican Beetle are you referring to? I'm guessing you're aware of the 25 year laws right? after 25 years ANY car can be imported to the US; however under 25 years only certain cars (very few) are legally able to be imported.
Click to expand...

The Final Edition was the last, had chrome bumpers, only two colors, special interior, etc. It was made on an assembly line next to the new Beetle. A friend had a couple of them new, and there is an application to import special cars that otherwise do not meet all the standards for importation to the US handled by a office of about five people in DC.

The Beetles then met all air quality standards, but there are other requirements for bumpers and glass, etc.

Bill Gates and Jay Leno, etc. import limited edition cars that are too rare to crash test for example.

So, they exempted the Minis because of some historical significance, but they just decided not to allow the Final Edition Beetle, perhaps if I wait another 20 years?

There are some ways to get around some of this, they said they might cut the registration plate out of the floor of a donor car, weld it in to a new one, and call it a rebuild. ;-)

The Minis are cute, but hardly the same as the classic versions.

Many went to Germany, BTW.

John
 
JohnTF said:
The Final Edition was the last, had chrome bumpers, only two colors, special interior, etc. It was made on an assembly line next to the new Beetle. A friend had a couple of them new, and there is an application to import special cars that otherwise do not meet all the standards for importation to the US handled by a office of about five people in DC.

The Beetles then met all air quality standards, but there are other requirements for bumpers and glass, etc.

Bill Gates and Jay Leno, etc. import limited edition cars that are too rare to crash test for example.

So, they exempted the Minis because of some historical significance, but they just decided not to allow the Final Edition Beetle, perhaps if I wait another 20 years?

There are some ways to get around some of this, they said they might cut the registration plate out of the floor of a donor car, weld it in to a new one, and call it a rebuild. ;-)

The Minis are cute, but hardly the same as the classic versions.

Many went to Germany, BTW.

John
Click to expand...

ah i'm reading 2003 was the year, then? i am sure there are ways around it.....although getting around import laws generally take quite a bit of dedication and some tricks like the one you mentioned!! haha. That being said, i'm guessing people like Jay Leno use the 'show and display' clause that states that it cannot be driven past a limited number of miles per year and is being brought merely for display purchases. you COULD try to explore that clause further, especially since similar Beetle models (in engine and spec?) may have already been imported here (non-final editions)
 
Thanks Adam! A great shot of a female rear always raises ... my spirits.

What were we talking about?

Randy
 
IEDEI said:
ah i'm reading 2003 was the year, then? i am sure there are ways around it.....although getting around import laws generally take quite a bit of dedication and some tricks like the one you mentioned!! haha. That being said, i'm guessing people like Jay Leno use the 'show and display' clause that states that it cannot be driven past a limited number of miles per year and is being brought merely for display purchases. you COULD try to explore that clause further, especially since similar Beetle models (in engine and spec?) may have already been imported here (non-final editions)
Click to expand...

Yeah, time flies, they used S. American motors and then Mexican Motors, --they had long ago gone to water cooled, and they met stringent air quality standards.

I had a long talk with one of the "guys" in DC, and we both had visited Jay's Garage -- but alas, no amount of smoozing helped, and I just could not get stuck at the border, or here for that matter, with a car that could not be licensed or insured, if imported. Guy just did not feel like it that day?

VW dealers hated them, the factory just dumped them on the dealers, no profit margin-- and they could no longer be used as Taxis as they were required to have 4 doors.

They did make some interesting variations though, some with no tops at all, etc. Was a cheap people's car in the end.

Regards, John
 
I believe some insurance companies will not cover the loss of some items if left in a car, e.g. laptops-- I try to put mine in the trunk at least, it has a lot of work data.

A camera bag left anywhere is an invitation, at least to my paranoid mind, and more so if I am traveling.

Many hotels write down your room number and the number of the taxi along with the time you leave.

Regards, John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom