How do you turn a Leica into a user?

Nick R. · 09-22-2005

I received my M4-P from Traut and it is beautiful. So beautiful, that I'm hesitant to use it. It's not the price that's getting to me. My medium format rig costs more and I regularly take it hiking without a case, just a shoulder strap. But the Leica feels different. I haven't even put a shoulder strap on it for fear of nicking the paint. You guys do use your cameras, right? How do you use them without feeling guilty? I don't want a closet queen.

Steve Hoffman · 09-22-2005

Put it in a half-case from Luigi and go. That will keep it unmarred and you can shoot away...

vincentbenoit · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick R.

I received my M4-P from Traut and it is beautiful. So beautiful, that I'm hesitant to use it. It's not the price that's getting to me. My medium format rig costs more and I regularly take it hiking without a case, just a shoulder strap. But the Leica feels different. I haven't even put a shoulder strap on it for fear of nicking the paint. You guys do use your cameras, right? How do you use them without feeling guilty? I don't want a closet queen.

Two words: Gaffa Tape.

foon · 09-22-2005

find something to scratch it a couple times..

then you won't worry

FrankS · 09-22-2005

Use a Leica? No one actually uses a Leica, you might mar the finish and reduce its resale value! Put it back on a shelf, or better yet, its velvet-lined presentation case where it belongs!

(kidding!)

rover · 09-22-2005

That little lever and button on the top right. Just get out there and shoot.

DerekF · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick R.

You guys do use your cameras, right? How do you use them without feeling guilty?

Yep! I use my MP to adorn my bookshelf and to give the duster a workout every week or so.

All joking aside, I can relate to your feelings somewhat. I generally like to keep my stuff in tip-top shape (not just cameras) as much as possible, but while I knew that I had bought my Leica to use rather than collect (dust), I was initially "worried" about my first outing with it. However, after the first couple of shots out and about, I didn't worry so much about keeping that new camera shine anymore. I don't abuse my equipment, but I don't baby it (too much) either. Also, now that I've had it for a few months, my MP's already begun to show some signs of wear, particularly where the strap lugs are, so I'm not so obsessive about it anymore.

Take everyone else's advice and just go out and start shooting with it. It's the best way to get over the initial worries. Personally, I wouldn't intentionally scratch mine, but to each his own. Eventually, if used, your camera will show some wear anyway, so it might as well start now by actually using it.

dreilly · 09-22-2005

I think it needs your social security number etched in it in a few places.

Blow the resale value all at once without touching the funtionality, then scratch er up getting nice photos over the years. (I'm only partially tongue-in-cheek there!)

FrankS · 09-22-2005

There is nothing as beautiful (excluding children and women) as a well-used Leica.

Kin Lau · 09-22-2005

Send it to me... I'll have it in user condition in a month or two

RayPA · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by rover

That little lever and button on the top right. Just get out there and shoot.

I agree. Just start using it. However, I use a neck strap. It feels safer to me. Coincidentally, the only camera I don't have a strap for is my M4-P. That'll change though. I've been trying out the Domke Gripper strap on my CLE, and I like it. It's fairly cheap too. You can get neck straps with the protectant leather tabs on each end. The Gripper has them. Have fun with your new toy.

Nikon Bob · 09-22-2005

I try not to abuse my cameras so I just put the bottom half of a never ready case on it and go use it. It is just a camera after all is said and done. Like new cars the first ding hurts and after than no big deal.

Bob

thpook · 09-22-2005

Put film in it and go outside?

THis is precisely the reason why I look for user quality cameras. My M2 is in near perfect condition. The imperfections? Bright marks on the top from a top mounted meter, and a couple of spots of chipped vulcanite. It looks nice, but it already has a couple of flaws and that's just the way I like it.

impact07 · 09-22-2005

You're supposed to use these things? Isn't this the "fondling" forum?

Seriously though. Just use it. There's no such thing as user vs. collector vs. paperweight. They're more beautiful "used" and while they are valuable in the sense that there are people who'll pay tons for them, they are invaluable for the images you can create. Leica made them all users, but some twisted people torture the poor little guys by keeping them on shelves. Poor Leicas. Set them free.

JoeFriday · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikon Bob

I try not to abuse my cameras so I just put the bottom half of a never ready case on it and go use it. It is just a camera after all is said and done. Like new cars the first ding hurts and after than no big deal.

I disagree.. EVERY ding in my car causes me great physical and emotional pain.. I've had professional paint touch-ups on my car 3 times in the past 12 months

on the other hand, I view little scratches, bright marks and minor dings on my cameras to be 'badges of courage', to borrow from Stephen Crane.. when I see someone gingerly handling a mint camera only in safe environments, I think "that's too bad"

it's sort of like a child.. as much as you don't want them to get hurt, you know they're experiencing life when they acquire their scabs.. and they were probably having a great time doing it

dll927 · 09-22-2005

Do you really suppose Oscar Barnack intended that all Leicas be icons?

Garry Winogrand is supposed to have had an M-4 with the pressure plate imprinted with film sprocket holes! And many are the combat photographers whose Leicas are worn to the base metal. They probably still work, with maybe a little CLA once in a while.

I have an M4-2 I bought in 1983, and I use it. Moderately, maybe, and it's still in nice shape, but I'm not about to put it in a glass case.

richard_l · 09-22-2005

My M3 is the only Lieca I have with a real dent (not just a ding) in it. The dent is in the top plate. Looks like somebody banged it into something while a meter was mounted. Maybe this is why I use the M3 more than the M2 or M6.

Besides denting the top plate, consider using a handgrip until you get more used to the ergonomics of the camera. If you want a strap, the Domke Gripper won't scratch it.

Richard

Brian Sweeney · 09-22-2005

Get one of the older cases made for the M3 or M2 with the meter attached. They are well padded and will protect the camera. I do not worry about the Mint Canon 7's as much as the mint Nikon's. I use the M3 and M2, but they are EX condition. They are all in cases, and stay well protected and are used.

Nick R. · 09-22-2005

BTW, I just bought a new car in August. Something else to worry about. But just like I drive that everyday. I'm gonna take the camera out and shoot this weekend. In the meantime, I'm going to look for the Domke gripper strap. That sounds good and maybe some Gaffer's tape. I usually don't like using a case but I'm going to check into the ones Brian mentioned.

Lastly, check out the photos in Vincent's sig. They'll get everyone out shooting. Great stuff!

Roman · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick R.

Lastly, check out the photos in Vincent's sig. They'll get everyone out shooting. Great stuff!

Hey, I just did that, and WOW, Vincent's pics are great!!! Not sure wheter it I really wanna go out shooting when comparing my own meager results with these excellent pics, though...

Roman

Biber · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick R.

You guys do use your cameras, right? How do you use them without feeling guilty?

I feel guilty when I don't.

Little Prince · 09-22-2005

Wow! Vincent's photos are spectacular! I mean it. Such drama and quality.

I wish we could see technical details for those pics. Not that it would make much difference to my output, but even so. Just for the excitement of it. I have had more than my share of inspiration for the day.

hoot · 09-22-2005

IIRC, some of the photos on his website were taken with a digital SLR. I agree they're quite wonderful... but to get that kind of tonality out of a digicam is even more impressive.

principe azul · 09-22-2005

Understandable. I have this thing with books. If I pay good money for a new book, I'm very careful for a few days turning the pages, and I wipe the cover of smears every five minutes. I wince if someone else turns the pages. Then after a bit it joins the other books covered with dust on the floor, or heaped into a pile so I can stick a desk fan on top, or fallen behind a radiator.

I think it's entirely normal. Until you get some use out of it, your M4-P is a lovely object and a fair chunk of change, rather than a tool. It's only through use that it becomes a tool for taking pictures. Until then, it's natural to cosset it a bit.

I don't baby my M4. My F3 with motordrive, though, wow, that gets some serious fondling...

principe azul · 09-22-2005

Yep, it's not the money. It's just some weird psychological thing. I have a new, pretentious Moleskine notebook, and I'm fussing about it, admiring it, and worried that I'm going to screw up the first thing I write in it. Yet I know full well in a couple of months it's going to be bent, torn, inkstained, coffeestained, and dirty from being thrown around everywhere. And I'll have written many stupid things in it.

I've not even taken off the green wrapper, because I think that would somehow make it less new, less out-of-the-shop. Yet I know that I'd never in a million years sit down in public and write in it with the lime-green wrapper on.

I've never worried about scratching my chrome M4 with the metal bits of the strap. Yet the first thing I did with the F3 was put gaffer tape over them. Is it because it's black paint? Or do I just pick and choose my neuroses?