We were in Edmonton, Canada on our way to an assignment in Malaysia when I saw/handled a MINT! screw mount Leica camera (don't remember the model, but had sep. windows for focusing and framing) and a collapsable 50 'cron. The interesting thing was a mistake in the engraving on the lens: f2 was there twice, one in the place where 2.8 should've been. Together with case $600 CDN.

"wha'd'ya think hun?"

"Nah, you have too many cameras as it is"

The camera was gone the next day when I went alone to look at it again. Funny thing is, she is too.

Another slow day in St. Looey, gettin' the job done though, it's lunch time.

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 27, 2002

Answers

"Better to ask forgiveness than permission."

-- John (johnfleetwood@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

my Leica M3 has survived one marriage 14 yrs,numerous ladies, close calls to another marriage.Thru it all my M3 was always faithful and true!Yes i've been talked out of more cameras...by the same people with "hidden agendas".So in life we make decisions....with he permission of the love of our life!If it came to "he goes or I go" statements....M3/Ziggy stays!

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

"'Tis Better to ask for Forgiveness than to ask for Permission"

Good one John, but don't get me started on another "Ten Commandments" thread! 8*)

BTW, what model LTM was that? It also has a self timer.

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 27, 2002.

IIIf or IIIg seems most likely

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

"Better to ask forgiveness than permission."

well, that is if you're talking about suicide... :-)

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

"Has Your Non-Photo Sig. Other Ever Talk You Out of a Purchase?"

Only the ones she knows about ;-)

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), March 27, 2002.

Everytime I tell my current ball-and-***** about another buy, she goes out and buys another piece or two of jewelry, $500 Euros this time. Talk about high maintenance!

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 27, 2002.

You ask about the sort of thing?? Hmmm.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), March 27, 2002.

You mean as in "Well - I think you'd better get it."?

Even though she handles the finances and gets to see all the bills I never do. If I had to handle the VISA statements I would have quit buying 3 lenses ago!

Canadian,too - just like my M4-x's. What a SWEET country!

Forced to choose - the Leicas would have to go first!!!

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 27, 2002.

Different question ;-) I think I'm fairly lucky in that I have been involved in photography for a lot of years (started photography the same year my wife was born) and am passionate about it. I've been showing in galleries for 10 years or so, and being that Chantel (my wife) has an art history degree and works in a local gallery I pretty much have carte blanche when it comes to something I feel I need. Unfortunately she doesn't feel the same way about stereo equipment.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), March 27, 2002.

My wife stopped complaining about too many cameras when I picked up a IIIcK 391xxx for $50 with a nickel Elmar lens. $1200 later, she doesn't say anything anymore.

-- chris a williams (leicachris@worldnet.att.net), March 27, 2002.

my wife voiced complaints until she the results/quality photos of our first born...

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), March 27, 2002.

I get occasional comments like "you really have some kinda addiction going there..." but I've never had to live up to the old .sig line:

"My girlfriend said it was either her or the motorcycle. Too bad, I'll miss her."

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), March 27, 2002.

I promise to marry some girl who is obsessed with Leica as I am. She would be dubbed the Leitz princess baby! :D

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

Not really. But sometimes she needs some convincing. She thinks it is a good and harmless hobby. I wouldn't dare to buy anything costly without her knowing about it. So far so good.

Ilkka

-- Ilkka Kuusisto (ikuu65@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

Yes. I had cash in hand to purchase the new Konica 21mm-35mm dual focal length hexanon lens. My wife decided instead to purchase $2900 worth of new washer and dryer. They're nice but they don't fit in the camera bag.

-- Mark (Leica_CL@Hotbot.com), March 27, 2002.

One more thing. My wife does not let me buy anything used. 'You never know what has happened to it before...' She rather lets me spend much more on brand new.

I got the M6 because it is all mechanical. Now I have a hard time explaining why I need an M7.

Ilkka

-- Ilkka Kuusisto (ikuu65@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

Just last week I promised my wife I would get rid of a third of my equipment due to the expense of raising two little tods. So anything that does not get normal usage will be sold. My prized mint- M3 is already gone :( Pretty soon I will need to buy one of those disguises with the glasses, rubber nose and mustache because I will be shooting with VC lenses! Anybody interested in a new 70-180 zoom?

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), March 27, 2002.

My wife and I both earn decent salaries and neither of us tell the other what to buy or what not to buy. Any reservations she may have had were removed after the time a few years ago when I bought a near mint Nikon SP with 5 lenses for somewhat more than a thousand dollars. 6 months later I showed her one on ebay that went for 5 times that much. That opened her eyes. I generally buy high quality gently used equipment, use it for as long as I wish, and then am able to sell it for as much or more than I paid for it. We both agree that it is more fun to keep some of your savings in toys instead of the bank. The key is to stick to high quality stuff.

-- Steve Rosenblum (stevierose@yahoo.com), March 27, 2002.

In the late 80s I broke up with a woman who felt threatened by my photography to the point where she started complaining about my taking the camera on trips. She was gone quick! On my first date with my future wife I took my portfolio of B+W prints and sent a very clear message about what photography means to me. She absolutely supported my photography 100% until she die of breast cancer in 1998. You never really know what you've got till its gone!

-- John Elder (celder2162@aol.com), March 27, 2002.

My wife supports my hobby but does occasionally question: "You've already got one of those, so why do you need to buy another one?" e.g. if I want to shell out on another body or a motor for it. She usually accepts my explanation as to why it's 'necessary', sometimes with misgivings. However, she loves photographs of the family and has remarked how much better she likes Leica pictures, as opposed to typical P&S results that she's seen, so as long as I keep getting results she's contented.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), March 28, 2002.

John- My heart goes out to you. It sounds like you lost someone very special, indeed. We all need to learn to truly value what we have.

Take care- Steve

-- Steve Rosenblum (stevierose@yahoo.com), March 29, 2002.

Won't it be nice if . . .

Me: "Geez, honey, I already have so many cameras; I guess I shouldn't get that Leica M7-P."

She: "Don't be silly, if you want it, I'll get it for you, now."

Hey, dreaming's no crime!

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), April 02, 2002.