Julian Thompson Posted March 15, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 15, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Have fancied trying film for a while now so recently took the plunge and bought a new old stock MP anthracite. I liked the grey finish and thought it looked 'a bit different'. Well, it turned up today and I have to say I'm rather stunned. Not only does it look absolutely fantastic but it's built so beautifully - like the proverbial Swiss watch ! I have nothing to 'prove' this but subjectively it feels so much better made than my M9? Anyway - the point of this is that - well - I can't bring myself to use it. The thing has been carefully stored by the previous owner, everything is perfect and untouched right down to the out of date 'Barnack Club' flyer in the box! It's a real 'collectors item' and I just think I may have made a mistake and should have bought a used, black or silver MP so that I can get on and use it without feeling guilty about it ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 15, 2010 Posted March 15, 2010 Hi Julian Thompson, Take a look here Just bought an MP anthracite to try film but.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted March 15, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 15, 2010 Did you buy it as an "investment" (cough...) or as a camera to use? (I can guess) Put a roll of Delta 100 or Tri-X in it and take it for a walk. And don't look back over your shoulder. My next M will be a black MP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted March 15, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted March 15, 2010 I bought it to use Andy. I know it's a camera to take pictures with in the same sense that a watch is an instrument to tell the time with but now it's here I just wonder if I'm going to beat myself up as it gets worn in, thus removing some of the pleasure from the experience? I'll sleep on it I think. Lovely thing though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 15, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 15, 2010 Just use it and don't worry about it. You didn't buy it as "an investment", you bought it as a camera to use. So, if it starts to wear as it gets older, it's all part of the life and times of the camera. Part of its story. Buy a brand new one, in box, if you want to put it on a shelf and look at it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted March 15, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 15, 2010 First thing I did when I got my M7 was pull off that stupid clear sticker on the bottom. I'd hate to scratch or crack the viewfinder window or something like that, but I could really care less if paint rubs off or gets scuffed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twittle Posted March 16, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 16, 2010 I can't bring myself to use it. Gah! Load it! Take pictures! That's what it was made for, and that's why you bought it! Seriously... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotto Posted March 16, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've never had a "new" Leica, but the practical person in me says to leave the special editions, original brochures, period fliers to the collectors. A mint camera is worth a lot more as a paperweight than a picture-making box. The first scratch is probably going to be worth $1k and the next dozen, marginally less as they accumulate. That's another piece of glass in my mind. On the other hand, if money is not such an issue and you're still shooting it 20years on, I think that would be a pretty cool camera. I agree that it does have a very nice look. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted March 16, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 16, 2010 I've never had a "new" Leica Me neither. I should have written, "When I first got my USED M7..." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted March 16, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 16, 2010 Don't be daft. Use it. Nothing is more satisfying than great images on the wall. If you have camera with a history, some wear on it and those images on the wall, you are least know you are doing things right. Mine are not heavily worn because I just don't wear cameras hard. They all have wear though and that includes my MP-3 which short a significant proportion of my Afghanistan portfolio. THAT is satisfying not a perfect finish. Do you prefer amazing, timeless photographs or shiny cameras? Which will impress the neighbours more LOL? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn R Posted March 16, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 16, 2010 I admit I'm new to Leicas but with anything valuable and mechanical I think they need to be used. It's in their soul! Went to a motorbike show last year. In the car park was a road worn, dirty, scratched but obviously well loved Vincent Black Shadow. There were several pristine ones on display inside which had never seen the road in years. Undoubtedly work £25,000 more than the one outside but I know which one I'd want (and which was happiest). I'd use it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted March 16, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 16, 2010 Went to a motorbike show last year. In the car park was a road worn, dirty, scratched but obviously well loved Vincent Black Shadow. Please provide pictures! Here is my Black Rain... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/115497-just-bought-an-mp-anthracite-to-try-film-but/?do=findComment&comment=1261280'>More sharing options...
antistatic Posted March 16, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 16, 2010 Use it and never sell it. That way resale value is irrelevant. I've been lucky enough to buy a new black MP. It now has brass showing through in places which I think of as its unique fingerprint. Go and make this camera your own. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted March 16, 2010 Share #13 Posted March 16, 2010 You made a bad mistake, your need an - armoured glass safe for M9 and MP - a bad condition M2 and a beaten up summaron 35mmf/2.8 or similar CV 35mm f/2.5 - lens hood for aron - wrist strap A carrier bag of about 50 XP2 cassettes. The M2 will amaze you for handling, when you have a pocket full us used cassettes you drop them off at mini lab for next day dev and scan only. After a few days you can sell the MP and M9, and buy more XP2 Noel P.S.. Set the cam to 1/125 and lens to 2m and f/5.6, you see something push the button hammer the lever wind for 2nd try. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share #14 Posted March 16, 2010 Thanks for all the replies - I was a bit precious about my M9 in the first few weeks but now it's marked up a bit I do enjoy it more as I just get on with using it as a camera. It's just that this particular camera is a bit of a 'special' being a 50th Anniversary and all that, and with all that perfect documentation etc it just seems like the wrong thing to do. But at the end of the day I've looked and a used regular edition MP is still not a cheap thing so I think I may as well have a go. I'll make a final decision today and then if I'm still up for it I'll pick up some film and cross my fingers!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 16, 2010 Share #15 Posted March 16, 2010 Good grief!! Are you the sort of person who buys a new car and then refuses to take it out of the garage unless it's just to wash it and put it back? You've bought a camera, just use it and stop being so precious! This is the Leica User Forum after all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share #16 Posted March 16, 2010 Are you the sort of person who buys a new car and then refuses to take it out of the garage unless it's just to wash it and put it back? Maybe. If I buy something which is special then yes, I will tend to be very careful with it. I once had a 911 RS which was very low mileage and in perfect condition. The car's value was heavily dependent on those two factors so my usage was limited. I did enjoy owning it though, and made several memorable trips - one to the Nurburgring which was fabulous - which made the whole experience worthwhile. I don't think, in that case, I would have enjoyed seeing the car acquire patina or marks of use. I would have felt that I'd not been a worthy custodian. Maybe that's analogous to the MP Anthracite which can't be bought again new. On the other hand, if I buy a new ordinary road car then I obviously look to take care of it but won't hesitate to use it for the intended job without compunction. As it acquires wear I see this as value used. Maybe that's analogous to the M9. Anyway - I think you are right. Perhaps it's just a camera and I shouldn't give it a second thought! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiZZ Posted March 16, 2010 Share #17 Posted March 16, 2010 Use it. Then hand it to your children, nephews/nieces, grandchildren, whatever comes first. That is a priceless collector's item. Start a legacy with that camera. It'll be worth more than you can imagine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deus_ex_machina Posted March 16, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 16, 2010 Buy a case and then use it. Every scratch tells a story. And then it is your cam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 16, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 16, 2010 Another solution, I'll swap your MP for my lovely carefully used M2. It already has a few little marks here and there so you won't have anything to worry about in using it immediately! (genuine offer) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted March 16, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 16, 2010 Use it... even with scratches it'll still be worth a lot of cash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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