Does your "significant other" care as much about your Leica as you do?

[luigi bertolotti]

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she must be a lovely photographer assistant. very cute. and what bag did you get her?

 

No problem... the one she decides to have with her... M lenses are usually thin... ... and I'm so kind to never pretend it's she to be loaded with Visoflex and Telyt 560, in case of...

[Guest Luis D]

If people worry that much about damaging their Leicas the best thing is to leave them in a humidity-controlled bank vault.

 

That what people does whose significant other is their Leica

[Guest darkstar2004]

I suppose it's not just my camera. She really doesn't pay it any mind. In fact, she treats her own toys in the same way. I just have to do a better job planning the placement of my "stuff" when not in my possession.

 

I learned that lesson the hard way.

 

I was at one of my best friend's opening reception for one of his photography exhibits and had walked away from my camera bag which contained two of my M lenses (50/1.4 and 90/2) in order to make some images. It was safe theft-wise as I was close by where I could eyeball the bag, and no others were around except for friends from my photography club.

 

The reception was nearing its end and we were all preparing to leave. My friend's wife picked up my camera bag to be helpful, since I was still shooting. I had left the top unbuttoned (it is a Billingham Hadley Pro) - of course the strap became entangled under the bag, causing it to upend and dump out my 50/1.4 onto a tile floor from a height of about three feet. It smacked the floor and danced merrily making a "Smack! Bap-bap-bap-bap-bap" sound as it bounced (screw you, Mr, Murphy!! )

 

My friend's wife was horrified - she apologized profusely, and my first thought was of her rather than of damage to my lens. I remained calm and, picked it up and examined it. I told her it seemed to be okay (not even a scratch was apparent) and to not worry about it - I would be able to have it repaired if any damage became apparent later. She offered to pay in case there was any damage and I thanked her and said it was an accident and not to worry about it (if there were a charge, I was in a better position to pay for it than my friend and his wife and I wouldn't have wanted to put them in a bind moneywise).

 

I sent the Lens off to Leica NJ for inspection and there was no damage and no cost to me from them for their inspection, thanks to it still being under warranty.

 

Ever since that mishap, I completely close and secure the bag if I leave it in someone else's care or if I walk away from it while shooting. Nowadays, my rule is never leave an open camera bag in someone else's care or walk away from it while shooting, even if you are close enough to prevent theft.

[gwelland]

I agree with Darkstar - cameras and lenses are just pieces of equipment to be used and reasonably cared for but at the end of the day that's all they are.

 

People and feelings matter a lot more and should be the things you cherish, not whether the misguided good intentions of a significant other or friend caused a scratch on your Leica outfit.

 

Of course, none of this would apply if the glass was dinged

[wildlightphoto]

I agree with Darkstar - cameras and lenses are just pieces of equipment to be used and reasonably cared for but at the end of the day that's all they are.

 

People and feelings matter a lot more and should be the things you cherish, not whether the misguided good intentions of a significant other or friend caused a scratch on your Leica outfit.

 

I agree completely. However, out of respect for my tools my SWMBO doesn't touch my cameras unless I ask her to, and having compared photos I've made with the Leicas with my photos made with other cameras she has forbidden the purchase of any camera equipment other than Leica

[topoxforddoc]

No she doesn't care for my Leicas, but she does care for her Steinway!

 

Charlie

[stuny]

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Sometimes, if I need the help, and Brabara holds a camera for me, she'll pretend to keep it.

[earleygallery]

I read on this forum some time back a post from someone along the lines of "I use my Leica M for family photos at home but use a ........ elsewhere to avoid loss or damage to the Leica"

 

As others have said its a piece of equipment which has been made to use. Imagine if Capa had left his Leicas at home in case they got scratched! Just to use something doesn't mean it has to be abused. I wonder what such people do with their cars! Most of us spend a lot more on a car than a Leica after all (and I've yet to hear of anyone get really annoyed that their car cannot be upgraded to the same spec as the latest model!)

 

My godson asked to take a photo with one of my cameras at a rugby match. He went off snapping - took some good candids as it happens - then just as he was about to pass the camera back to me he dropped it on the concrete floor of the stand, it bounced down a few steps and I just bit my tongue, smiled and said accidents happen. As it turns out it was fine, unmarked!

[gutguido]

... but I thought the Leica _is_ the significant other. Isn't it?

[fotografr]

She doesn't have the same attachment to it that I do, but she definitely understands my affection for it. Twenty-six years ago, she bought me my first Leica kit consisting of 2 M3ds, a 35 cron, 50 cron and 90 tele-elmarit. She gave it to me on the condition that I quit smoking and we both agreed that if I ever smoked another cigarette, she would collect the equipment and sell it. I never smoked again.

[andybarton]

There's a coincidence. I was given a very similar "Give up the fags or give me up" ultimatum, 26 years ago next Wednesday ...

 

I wasn't given a Leica as an incentive though, only my wife's undying love.