Getting sardine oil off of a Leica

[raucousimages]

Last month I purchased a new Leica MP with 50mm f1.4 summilux in limited edition high gloss black paint (not the usual black laquer). With less than 5 rolls of Tri-x through it I took it on a week long Boy Scout trip in Idaho. On day five I was having a snack of mustard sardines and crackers and after I bit into just cracker I looked down to see oil and mustard sauce on the top and front of the camera and a large sardine on the ground. Nothing got on the lens. The funny thing was this did not bother me. I got it to shoot not to sit on a shelf or worse yet in the box. Some Q-tips and mouth wash cleaned it up fine. The alcohol in the mouthwash cut the oil, (I cant expect vodka from my Boy Scouts) and killed the mustard smell. I got one small scratch on the top and some brassing from the strap, and some great photos. The wear looks great. It is not abuse that is what it was made to do not sit like an art object. My point is if you are able to own fine cameras and great lenses use them not your second rate gear, thats what they were meant to do. This also goes for all fine things, automobiles, watches, firearms, china and crystal etc. A Porsche that never leaves the garage is as sad as a Hasselblad in a display cabinet.

 

[Claire Senft]

I guess there is a difference of opinion here. Certainly, I can understand and sympathize with those that get pizza sauce or chili sauce from their burritto unto a Leica but I personally feel that carelessness with sardine sauce is an awful fishy thing to do and should be reserved for Nikon Sp et al.

 

[Digidurst]

LOL!

Raucous, your sig is too funny! You that movie, the Boogy Man? Don't watch it and then go into the darkroom to make prints - it just doesn't work!

 

[jjstafford]

[...] A Porsche that never leaves the garage is as sad as ...

We should be so lucky!

 

[Bob F.]

... and the award of "Thread Title of the Week" goes to raucousimages!.......


At least you now have the world's only peppermint flavoured Leica...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[veriwide]

On day five I was having a snack of mustard sardines and crackers...

That is what we used to make the NEW scouts eat on our camping trips.

 

[gnashings]

A Porsche not in MY garage is as sad as a Hassy I DON'T own (or Leica)

Yes, certified Porsche-phile here... admission is the first step to recovery...

I agree - you have the means to afford the best, you owe to all hte little people who don't to use it! Otherwise, its just a game of keep away withthe finer things in life...

Sorry, hit a personal note - I have a well-to-do uncle who went through a "photography phaze", bought a Hassy with EVERY toy and whistle there is. It has not left his cabinet in 20 years... And here I am, using the snot outof a Lubitel TLR because its all I got!

 

[jjstafford]

A Porsche not in MY garage is as sad as a Hassy I DON'T own (or Leica)
!

Oh, you are going to hate this.

 

[raucousimages]

Love it. My 1993 911 C2 type 964 is driven often and hard. In racing "if cones aint flying-you aint trying" In photography if you have never briken a lens you dont shoot enough. But that dosent mean to beat your gear, without it you have no images.

 

[Robert Kennedy]

This is why those alcohol wipes that they use in hospitals are a MUST have.

 

[Nicole]

My Hasselblad goes everywhere with me including to the beach on a blustery day for some of those 'decisive moment' shots. I could never imagine leaving it on the shelf for display only. Ouch!

 

[gnashings]

Mr Stafford - is that a Dino you got there!? My second favorite Ferrari, although I am a Porche lover first and foremost, I'd have no pulse if I couldn't appreciate that car! Not to mention the monster it eventually donated its heart to (glad they signed those donor cards!) - the Lancia Stratos!

Oh, and Nicole - for display? IF ONLY!!! Its tucked away in a case on a shelf in a closet under other crap - its not even being looked at!!! I think its some kind of crime against humanity - I want to plant a flag in it and claim it for all man kind (if I could not break it and get arrested in the process )!

Not many people believe me - but with these wonderful things, like Porsches, Leicas, Hasselblads, etc., with me it really is not the money or percieved status - I think I would love Porsches every bit as much if they cost less than my VW - its what they are that I love. And then there are people like my uncle... poseurs... ok, end of rant.

 

[Ben Z]

Last month I purchased a new Leica MP with 50mm f1.4 summilux in limited edition high gloss black paint (not the usual black laquer). With less than 5 rolls of Tri-x through it I took it on a week long Boy Scout trip in Idaho. On day five I was having a snack of mustard sardines and crackers and after I bit into just cracker I looked down to see oil and mustard sauce on the top and front of the camera and a large sardine on the ground. Nothing got on the lens. The funny thing was this did not bother me. I got it to shoot not to sit on a shelf or worse yet in the box. Some Q-tips and mouth wash cleaned it up fine.

Hopefully, but if you're out shooting and notice that cats seem to be taking an interest in your Leica....

 

[magic823]

Last month I purchased a new Leica MP with 50mm f1.4 summilux in limited edition high gloss black paint (not the usual black laquer). With less than 5 rolls of Tri-x through it I took it on a week long Boy Scout trip in Idaho. On day five I was having a snack of mustard sardines and crackers and after I bit into just cracker I looked down to see oil and mustard sauce on the top and front of the camera and a large sardine on the ground. Nothing got on the lens. The funny thing was this did not bother me. I got it to shoot not to sit on a shelf or worse yet in the box. Some Q-tips and mouth wash cleaned it up fine. The alcohol in the mouthwash cut the oil, (I cant expect vodka from my Boy Scouts) and killed the mustard smell. I got one small scratch on the top and some brassing from the strap, and some great photos. The wear looks great. It is not abuse that is what it was made to do not sit like an art object. My point is if you are able to own fine cameras and great lenses use them not your second rate gear, thats what they were meant to do. This also goes for all fine things, automobiles, watches, firearms, china and crystal etc. A Porsche that never leaves the garage is as sad as a Hasselblad in a display cabinet.

I was going to suggest getting cat. It will probably be cleaned up in a flash. No sure if everything else will survive thought.

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

Seriously, my Bloody Hassel is literally sitting on the mantle over the fireplace. It looks really nice up there next to the Rolleiflex TLR and the Minolta SRT101. It's not like I don't shoot anymore or something, it's just that the twin Nikon F3s have been getting a workout since I bought a bulk film loader.
Ara

 

[Flotsam]

The title of this thread reminds me of an old Bob and Ray joke:

Q: "How do you get down off a Horse?"
A: "You don't. You get Down off a Duck."

Yuk Yuk

 

[gnashings]

Oh Gawd... I smell cheese...

But I am a sucker for a bad joke...like:

"Two baby seals walk into a club..."