What was your photography moment? Like when did you first discover, that photography can be much more than just documenting a moment? Mine was in a pretty early stage, when Heinz, a good friend of the family took my first portrait. Until then I did not like portraits of myself that much, but that changed that day. He and his wife Sylvia were often visiting my mums house, we had such a great time together and I slowly got the idea that photography can be much more than just using it for memories (thats still a great use for it). Sadly Heinz passed away about 20 years ago. I think we would still have lots of conversation these days and lough a lot.
Now I turned 50 and wanted to treat myself with an analog camera. I went to mint and rare and they were kind enough to let me try some of their cameras. I ended up with two Leicas in my hand. An M240 and a M6. I really enjoyed them. I guess partly this is also Sagi’s fault, because when I visited him in Tel Aviv, I started to enjoy the craftsmanship of these cameras. And there is one more person that I follow since I joint my Flickr many many years ago, long before he started his YouTube channel -> Matt Osborne aka Mr. Leica. I wanted to mention him in my video and had it in my notes, but somehow missed it totally. I think I just enjoyed his work on his Flicker and later I figured, that he uses Leica. Check out his work as well, you will enjoy it.
But at the end I did not buy anything. I just thought I let some time pass and see.
But then there happened something that I did not expect.
For my 50th birthday I got a Present from Sylvia.
And not just anything, it was the camera of the man who is responsible for my interest in photography and it’s probably the camera that captured my first portrait.
A Leica M2 with two Summilux lenses – a very similar combination that I looked at before in Vienna.
I couldn’t believe what just happened. I am so grateful for this. We were both very emotional at that moment. It means the world for me.
After I had it serviced, it grew to my daily driver. I have it all the time on me and shot every day with this piece of my personal history. Listen to the full Story here:
Here are some of my favourites from the last month and underneath you find the full gallery:
I loved your story. I have a Leica model IIIg made in 1957 which I purchased brand new in Berlin. It started my passion for photography which has continued for over 70 years. Thanks for the memories
D Hamburg
That must have been a wonderful feeling to buy it brand new. I guess you still own and use it?
In the early to mid 80s I was a photojournalist and all the other independents gave crap for using dads M3.untul they found I could be at an XG7 with a auto winder and keep pace with a Nikon with same. My dream then was an R3 mot, nowi don’t even look, not until I know I have the cash. Famously I swapped out a Minolta SRM for the leica. Find THAT unicorn today?
First time I heard about the SRM, I would like to have an additional CLe for traveling. Small lightweight and not so expensive, on the other hand I often use my Olympus MJU. But ITs quite loud compared to a rangefinder….
If I need speed, I use my Canon EOS 3 and EOS 5e