I got stuff done today. My reward was a coffee break on jaunty S. Congress Ave. in the company of a favorite camera.

 

This might come as a shock but I have to admit that I am....not infallible. Twice I ordered the wrong diopter for my Leica M 240. I've given up and I'll just squint harder but I was pleased that Leica Store Miami responded quickly when I asked if I could return the mis-ordered ones for a refund. Yep! Sure! No Problem! 

Lately I've been in the mood to carry around the big Leica SL2 fitted out with the diminutive Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 (Nokton Classic). It's a very nice combo and works well. If you are in the mood for an SL2 and not feeling particularly frisky about dropping $7,000 on a new one I'm here to tell you that I've seen a couple of good condition used ones for under $4,000. How often can you save over $3,000 on a camera? And "Veblen" my ass. It's a hell of a great camera with a wonderful feel to it. And, with the right lenses and the right operator (not saying that's me....) it kicks out some pretty tremendous images.

If I get my inflation calculator revved up and running correctly it tells me that the current price of $7000 USD is just about what I paid for a much, much less stellar Nikon D2X ($5995) not very long ago. Or a Nikon D800 even less long ago. People have just got to learn to keep up with changing economic numbers. Or we'll all start to sound like bitter old men yelling at kids to get off our lawns. Or complaining with fiery hysteria that it's impossible to get a good cup of $0.25 coffee these days. Or bitching because gas costs about half what it does in the rest of the world...

None of these camera purchases that we fret over are part of a life or death need. Most of the people I know routinely overspend on cars and no one raises even a modest bit of shock, indignation or surprise. But man o man, splash out for a camera that makes you happy every single day and it's like tossing a red meat to every lifestyle critic out there in the wild. Get over it. Buy whatever you want and can afford. But let's don't act as though someone is ruining your photography by buying something you don't value as much.

On the other side of the coin, Ben came back from two weeks of travel through Japan. I offered him the use of any camera and combination of lenses he wanted so he could take great photos during his vacation. I shouldn't have wasted my breath. He politely declined every offer and went off on his adventure with only an iPhone.  He had a blast. And he came back with 330 photographs that were almost all right on the money. In fact, some of the night shots with acres of neon and throngs of people seemed better than anything we could shoot on big, full frame cameras and none of the shots required a tripod. 

Ben was right, of course, not to take a camera if photography in and of itself is not something that interests him. As a marketing professional for a fast moving A.I. company in the medical field he understands video and photography. Not to mention that he was raised fully immersed in it for most of his life because of his father. But he understands the cultural concept of modern imaging in a way that I think my generation has a huge problem understanding. I can accept that even if the idea of being out of step, out of touch, rankles my ego. 

As a parent I have to say that watching my kid plan out a two week trip, make his reservations, glide through a different culture with ease and have a wonderful time is so great for a parent. He certainly made the most out of his two weeks of vacation and he did it on his own steam. And his own agenda. His mom reminded me that he was able to handle a long semester in S. Korea at Yonsei University without any help, intervention,  or on site support from his parents or anyone else. I'm beginning to understand that he's a natural traveler. And his recent business travel probably keeps the overall travel skills fresh.  At any rate, the photographs he showed us were great. Well composed (credit his art director mom for that) and perfectly exposed (I'll take a little credit there) his iPhone photos stand up well. 

Since the kiddo got home safely and is back at work and since the stock market came roaring back this week, I thought I could take the time and bear the expense of a coffee break outside on S. Congress Ave. at Jo's Coffee. The weather was perfect, the coffee was almost perfect and the people watching was good but nowhere as thick and plentiful as the people parade on a Saturday afternoon might have been. High of 75°. Bright, clear skies. Just right for punchy color photographs.

I always love the simplicity of Jo's logo. And the "everyone welcome" feel of the place. 

I ought to bring along a notebook and write another book here. Lots of characters to

install in stories. iPhone photo.

Yes color. Lots of color. Dripping with color. 

Excellent coffee should have bubbles on the top. Jo's is on  the right track. 

Jack Kerouac at a diner couldn't be more satisfied. 

Mannequin porn. What is this dress shop up to?

The background at f2.0 is fun and chirpy. 40mms can be a lot of fun. 

I own two different Voigtlander 40mm lenses. Some day I'll test them and 

get rid of the least well performing one. Yeah. And one day I'll win millions of 

dollars playing the Lotto. 

Advertising at its most minimalist.

I have mixed feelings about the holidays. More window design and store embellishments via lights and holiday decorations make for fun dusk photos all over the place. People do tend to cheer up a bit and the number of invitations to parties skyrockets. But you have to consider the horrible downsides! I just got a note from the swim club. No practice on Thanksgiving day (expected) but what the hell were they thinking in not having a big long practice on the day after? How will we burn off the extra servings of pecan pie, stuffing, freshly baked rolls, cakes, and festive bottles of good wine? It smacks of negligence.  And I predict the Christmas and New Year's schedules will be at least as bleak.

And, it's become a tradition for the lines to check out at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods expand and extend beyond imagination. Don't buy ice cream during the holiday season --- it might melt before you steer your cart up to the cashier. 

It also looks like all the low hanging used camera "fruit" is also being snapped up now that it's near the end of the year. Someone out there is sweeping up all the M cameras older than the M10. And driving the prices up for whatever remains. 

You know, for a brand of cameras that so many people consider too expensive they sure are hard to find and buy. Seems like the company immediately sells every one they make. Right on the spot. I guess you have to be in some secret club to find your way onto a waiting list... Maybe Santa has the juice to make it happen. I wonder if my behavior has been good enough to warrant Santa and his rowdy band of elves to drop by with a Q3? That would take a lot of the sting out of having to wait in line to buy groceries. Right?