Don't tell my wife, but I am in love with my M6- my first ever leica. I don't think my RZ, Xpan, or F series ( F1, F2, F3hp, F5 ) will be seeing much action for awhile.

now my question.... Is this a common reaction?

Thanks!!!

Stuart

-- stuart babcock (stubab@camcomp.com), March 17, 2002

Answers

Oh yes. For me, another mechanical love was/is the Porsche 911 (993 type air-cooled) Carrera 4. Silver with beige leather, oh yes. : ) I don't have one but wish I did. Anyway, I even had dreams of the M6 and 35 lux before buying it. I would visit shops and handle it, comparing it to other makes/models just to be sure it was the one true camera companion. Looked at the Contax N1, with some delectable Zeiss lenses, and a Hasselblad 501CM. But, the M6 was it. So, I got one and the rest is history. What I like even more is using it.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002.

I fall in love with pictures. Some mine, some other people's.

But I never bother falling in love with machines, they are only tools and I can't see the point.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), March 17, 2002.

Throw it out the window; if it is true love then it will come back; if not then you never had it in the first place.

-- ray tai (jeslam88@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002.

It happened to me! I just sold all my SLR gear and have just the M6TTL 0.58 with 35/2, 50/2 and 90/2.8. I just came in from the darkroom after trying out my new bargain Rodagon. No regrets, I am one happy camper.

Only problem, I can't seem to stop daydreaming about a 28mm Summicron and an 0.85 M7.

Enjoy!

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), March 17, 2002.

Love? I don't know Stuart, that's a pretty heavy emotion, generally given to other people, or maybe dogs and cats.

However, I certainly don't buy the "They're only tools" rebuttal.

I'm an engineer by profession, and as such have some sense of admiration and affection for many "tools". Not only for their functionality, but for the thought and craftmanship that went into their creation, not to mention their accuracy and ease of use. Snap- On wrenches, Starrett measuring eqipment, Palm Vs, HP hand calculators (especially those with RPN logic) come readily to mind.

Do I "love" those things? Don't think so, but I'll sure confess to affection and regard for all of them.

As a matter of fact, I suspect anyone who visits this board is in that catagory, even if it is a subconcious admiration of Leitz/Leica products.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 17, 2002.

I assume that when I die, people will remember me for what I loved.

That's my wife, my son, my friends, and my photographs.

If they remember me for my material possessions, especially tools, I will have failed all the above as a human being.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), March 17, 2002.

I know for sure its not love, but I share with many of us on this thread a great admiration for the precision craftsmanship and superb design of the M6 and its lenses.

I too have an XPan and I can tell you that the quality of the images (sharpness, color-rendering, no vignetting etc.) I get with my M6 are superior.

I also don't buy the "its only a tool" argument. A great deal of talent, effort, commitment and energy have gone into Leica's M series. So, for me, my admiration is also about all those designers, scientists and enginers who have made the camera what it is.

Phil

-- Phil Allsopp (pallsopp42@attbi.com), March 17, 2002.

Words can carry different meaning for different people--makes comminication difficult, doesn't it? I wouldn't say I "loved" my cameras/cars/other objects but rather that "it is a pleasure to use them"--when they are working right that is!

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), March 17, 2002.

Jeff, that's your opinion, and your certainly welcome to it. But not everyone shares your somewhat pedestrian view of the universe. For me, lets say there's a fire at your home, and I can either save your family and photographs, or the Leica equipment, what would I do?

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002.

Glenn,

Not sure there is anything "pedestrian" (i.e. lacking wit or imagination) about wanting to be remembered for what one loves in life...especially those who make it worth living.

If we could all be so lucky and feel thusly inspired, then I personally feel the world would be a much better place overall.

As for the fire..... I "hope" you would save the people, regardless of the attached value of the rest.

Now as for the Leica comment that started the thread.....I am certainly enjoying mine, as I truly appreciate in anything the aesthetics of "quality". The overall quality of this camera and the lenses enhances the process of photography for me.

I like the results too.

Cheers

-- Rich Green (kamurah@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

" . . . Is this a common reaction? "

YES, indeed !

Welcome ! !

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), March 18, 2002.

Notice I said "mechanical love" as in a mechanical thing I have a great esteem/appreciation for. Now if we're talking about nude young ladies who happen to be gorgeous, well DUH! Of course that's different hahaha! Many kinds of love indeed, depends on your definition. Yes, I would have to agree that certain individuals on forums always do the following:

1. don't talk so much about equipment (heaven forbid talk about great affection for it) 2. don't post so much, get out there and photograph (good advice for a lot of ppl admittedly) 3. by golly I'm hairy-chested sort who has no time for meanderings, that's why I read the forums and respond in contrast to them.

Well, that's fine, it is a discussion forum after all.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

I understand completely. I have gone through so much gear in my 9 years with photography. Why? Because i was always looking for better quality pictures. I don't mean better photos (creatively), but sharper images. This was ridiculous because I was always searching for a way to let the camera get better pictures, such as F5 AF tracking vs. EOS 1V. That was a load of crap for the style of photography I was trying to develop (people).

So what was the cure. Leica camera with no mirror and Leitz lenses. Now, knowing the image sharpness is there, I can confidently focus on the picture. No more distractions from techno jargon. All focus is on the final image. And as a result, the pictures are better, not just sharper, but overall BETTER. IS it the Leica? No, it's now about me and my photos.

My fiance is relieved and now doesn't have to compete with the camera for attention. fewwwww! I love my Leica, but my "Erlina" is my true love, and when I am photographing her, everything falls into place.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

It's only a tool, blah, blah, blah... It's all about the image, blah, blah, blah...

C'mon people, this is the LEICA FORUM, of course we love out Leicas. Leicas are works of art in their own right, functional sculpture, it you will. Given the choice, I'd take an M over a photograph any day of the week.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), March 18, 2002.

Well said Dan! A lot of you are very dishonest with yourselves!

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

I have to agree with Jeff. Personally I think we throw out the 'love' word too often today. Love is a deep emotion that should convey a lot of power. I like my Leica's very much - thy are valuable tools and I take reasonably good care of them. But in my opinion to say 'I love' them complete invalidates the feelings and emotions I feel for my wife and my son (and my images).

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), March 18, 2002.

when i received my 1st Leica it was not love at first sight!i had a full Pentax system.The Leica was a replacement for a failed trade and purchase of a 4x5"view camera,really not me!,to the worlds worst 6x6slr at the time.Definitely not Hasselblad.Anyway swapped for a new M3,Summicron,meter.After a year use,realized,i barely used the pentaxes,all my portfolio samlples from the M3.Do i love my camera? in many ways yes!Its been a lot more supportive and loyal than most of my friends,partners in life and love.its a tool with a"soul".there is no other answer.i work with tools in another profession,and they are just tools.My Nikons,Pentax or Canon all tools.They are reqd for photos.My Leicas are so different.I have purpose.I see more photos! If i need to cut back on film expenses,use slr....Maybe take 2 pix in a week for self.The M3,Ziggy feels like a living thing in my hands. The 50 Summicron an extension//duplication of my view of the world.. Do Leicas use more film? Yes!

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

This is for Jeff. I am uneducated and Blue Collar so please bare with me. As a Machinist and Craftsman alot of me goes into every part I make. If you were to line up a bunch of parts made in the shop I could tell you who made them. By the finish, how much tolerance was used etc. So I view things mechanical that are well crafted the same as I view photography. Where I work we make custom instraments for light measurement. Unique to every customers need. That is what attracted me to Leica. Having a hand built camera made by craftsman who care (either in Portugal or Germany). I have an emotional attatchment to my equipment. It goes with me everywhere. It is valued more than a pair of pliers or a cresent wrench. So as you Love photographs made by others and yourself, I love things well crafted made by others or myself.Including your photographs.

Regards Steve

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@adelphia.net), March 18, 2002.

Good grief!

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), March 18, 2002.

Does everything have to denigrate into an argument over semantics? Clearly the original posting indicated a new convert to the world of Leica can't we just focus on the intent of his message on not evolve it into what the meaning of love is. Thought this was a group of Leica enthusiasts not lawyers...

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 18, 2002.

As long as the name calling doesn't get too nasty I think these kinds of questions are great. There is alway lug or Leica's own forum if all you want to discuss are MTF charts, filter sizes and why Leica should be crowned god/godess fo the universe.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), March 18, 2002.

So as you Love photographs made by others and yourself, I love things well crafted made by others or myself.Including your photographs.

Me too.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), March 18, 2002.

My Leica and my Gibson Les Paul have never let me down or cheated on me or lied to me or not paid back money they owed or ran off with another bloke or argued with me....

Yes i love them both

-- Philip Woodcock (phil@pushbar.demon.co.uk), March 18, 2002.

Dan, you said it damn straight!

But it is true that I am trying to focus on the images, and not the equipment. I get my equipment relief on this forum of which 80% of posts are equipment related, right?

Shit I love my Leica. But it is just a camera, right?

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

Nein, est ist ein Leica. Der kamera is wunderbar, est ist gut. Der ist nein subtitut.

-- Johann (notjustakamera@leica.com), March 18, 2002.