This is somewhat relevant to the “Leica bug” post. A kind of “one that got away” post. Ever since I got my first M3, the Leica bug has kept its jaw clenched tightly on my throat and only lightened it’s grip to clamp down harder later on. Back and forth between systems I’ve gone, trying to make the financial responsible decision for that moment in time, to no avail. Canon, Nikon, Fuji, back to Nikon, back to Fuji, etc…Sony being the only one I haven’t tried yet, probably, maybe. All the while during my ownership of these various sytems, I yearn for the one that got away, the lovely little red dot.
So here we are, on a cold and unusually snowy January afternoon in North Carolina writing about the one that got away, and how it came back yet again. My (new to me) M-P typ 240, courtesy of Leica Store of Miami’s used section (which, by the way- has pricing insanely competitive with the private used market). A few years back I had the pleasure of spending a ridiculous amount of money on a brand new M240, lightly used Monochrom (one of the greatest cameras of all time, more on that in a different post), a 50mm F1.4 Summilux, 35mm F1.4 Summilux FLE, 90mm F2 Summicron (E55, pre-asph), 75mm F1.4 Summilux, and some other third party lenses. That was probably the hardest the bug has bitten, and since then, it’s left a festering desire to only be satiated by the same.
It had been on my mind for quite some time, switching back. I had always justified it with saying my D4 does everything I need it to and more, for so much cheaper, the lenses are cheaper, etc…but still, the heart wants what the heart wants, or something, right? I’ll give credit where credit is due- the Nikon D4 is an amazing camera. Bang for buck, I’m not sure there’s better out there- seriously. But it just isn’t a Leica.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I decide I need to get back to shooting more. It’s felt like part of me has been dead for years not shooting as much as I have in the past- my only creative outlet. Work slowly drains the soul from my body on a weekly basis, and school has taken decades off of my life (I say in jest, but who knows). What better way to get back to shooting than using the tool that makes me love it so much? Bingo. Welcome to the mind of Travis Rock. Add to cart > checkout. Boom, deed is done. Thank you Leica Store of Miami.
This all being said, I cannot wait to shoot more. It’s been weighing on me ever since I had gotten rid of the mother-load of Leica gear a few years back. Now, do I get the 35mm Summicron ASPH or save for a Summilux FLE? Here we go again. 😀
