[Leica] Another introduction

[max_weisenfeld at verizon.net (Max Weisenfeld)]

I have been mostly lurking for several months.   I agree with the philosophy
that, in general, if you don't show some pictures somewhere, you should keep
quiet.  So:
http://www.leica-gallery.net/max3/image-72801.html

Comments and critiques appreciated.

Back in July, Barry Hinderks told a story about how he got his Leica from
his friend, Rudy, and uses them to continue a legacy.

The story sat in my inbox for six weeks.  You see, I also got my Leicas as
an inheritance.  Back in November, my father, Stanly Weisenfeld, a 50+ year
ASMP professional, was diagnosed with lung cancer, and on Memorial Day he
died.  In March of this year, he gave me his Leicas  (and an Autocord, but
that is another e-list).  When Dad retired after 38 years at Corning, Inc,
he had Hasselblads, Nikons, and Leicas.  The only kit he kept was the
Leicas, a pair of M5s he got as an upgrade from his IIIf kit.  In the past
few years, he had shot mostly digital (and mostly his grandkids).

His grandkids (the two in green shirts):
http://www.leica-gallery.net/max3/image-72809.html

The old man taught me right.  Started me with a Brownie Flash (you should
see my shots of the '64 - '65 New York World's Fair) and in high school he
got me a Nikkormat, had it CLA'd by Marty Forsher, and let me use his
darkroom.

But by the Mid-80's, though, the Nikkormat was gathering dust and all I did
was take PnS of vacations.  About a year ago I began to think about taking
it up again, but didn't find the time.

Then Dad got sick.  And I asked about his Leicas.

Dad was pretty particular about his gear.  I think I had touched a Leica
maybe twice in my life.  So when Dad gave me the cameras, I was a bit taken
aback.  When he told me to go through and take anything else I wanted, I was
stunned.  But when I got home and started to handle the Leicas, I was awed.

Now I don't expect I have to tell anyone who has gotten this far into an
unforgivably long e-mail about how a Leica feels.  But try to remember the
first time (oh am I gonna get flamed for that line).  Try to remember how it
made you want to put in a roll and go shoot.

Try to remember how hard the damn thing is to load.  I mis-loaded two of my
first five rolls.

My wife didn't understand why I was so excited about a camera that was so
slow to use that I kept missing shots.  First, I pointed out that the camera
wasn't slow, I was (still am, but I'm getting better).  Then she saw the
first prints.  The kids in the pool at swim lessons, available light, sharp
as a tack with the 135 Elmarit and incredible color.

Well, it's 65 rolls later and I think I am occasional getting something good
here.  I don't have a scanner, and I haven't figured out Photoshop yet, so
any digital issues you can blame on the minilab.  For the last four months
of his life, my relationship with my Dad was the best ever as I shot, he
coached, and he saw his favorite tools came alive again.  His last words to
me were, "How are the Leicas?"

Thanks for looking.

Max