Today was a thoroughly shitty day. I left my Leica M4-2 and 50mm Summicron (latest version), both acquired in the last couple of weeks, on a bloody plane at Orange County airport. Don't ask me how, or why. I just had a major brainfart. I didn't realize until about 3 hours later, by which time the trail was colder than a very cold thing. I spent the rest of the afternoon calling various United Airlines numbers but they had no news for me. At this point I rather suspect that some cleaning crew member has an object they will have no clue how to use, or what it's true value is. I wouldn't be surprised if it's hawked for $50.

Of course ever since I acquired the camera I had planned to write down the serial numbers, but that didn't happen. I'm hopeful that the previous owner of the M4-2, who frequents this board, may have that item's S/N; I may have the 'Cron's S/N at home on the box. If so, I will post the details.

Although I am covered by insurance (sort of - damn $500 deductible!), the lens was my wife's wedding present to me. So I'm in the dog house. I have a 35mm Summicron ASPH coming in the mail as I write, but I doubt whether I'll be able to afford a replacement body and 50/2.

I guess I just needed to vent a little, but I would be really grateful if you guys could keep your eyes peeled & let me know if you hear of a suspiciously bargain priced M4-2 with 50mm Summicron. The M4-2 is near mint, with just a small piece of vulcanite missing by the baseplate. It has the MR-4 meter mounted on the hotshoe, and has a small black leather strap. The lens is black, latest version, with Leica cap. The whole ensemble was stored in a black Domke pouch (actually a 15" square velcro/wrap thingy).

I'm off to check eBay now, just in case my baby is being hawked by someone with a little nous.

Stupid, stupid, stupid...

-- Stuart Dorman (stuart.dorman@us.pwcglobal.com), November 13, 2001

Answers

A couple of months ago I was having coffee with an acquaintance. As I got up from the table I managed to drop a nice, user M3 and do so much damage that it wasn't worth repairing. The new 50mm Summicron-M that was on the camera cost $250 and two weeks in the shop to repair. I had no insurance and, to make matters worse, I had three shoots scheduled for the following week. I somehow managed to scrape together enough for a new M6 TTL, partially by selling a beautiful Compaq laptop to a friend.

BTW, I now have insurance.

P.S. These things happen.

-- Peter Hughes (ravenart@pacbell.net), November 13, 2001.

Go to your homeowners or auto insurance agent and get a "personal articles" policy for the camera gear. Mine has $0 deductible and covers even my own dumbassed-ness: if I left gear on a plane, or, ahem, say, knocked a $1500 Nikon rig off a seven-foot high stage to the pavement below, it is all covered. A little $$$ buys lots of peace of mind.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), November 13, 2001.

ARGH! Sorry to hear about that Stuart. It's not just the loss of money with things like this, but the personal attachment to ones "toys". On the other hand, at least you have insurance...

Cheers,

Feli

-- Feli di Giorgio (feli@d2.com), November 13, 2001.

I've come close, Stuart, I've come close... There, but for the grace of a couple of honest bystanders, or my wife's memory, or just dumb luck....go I.

That's the problem with Leicas. An F5, now, is the size of a horse. You trip over it getting out of your seat and that reminds you to take it with.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), November 13, 2001.

Let the cleaning crew members know that you'll give them a lot more than $50. I'm truly sorry for what has happened.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), November 14, 2001.

Stuart- Have you checked with the security people at United? Nowadays the aircraft are searched very well for loose,forgotten items. Keep checking with United. Speak with the Station Manager, if you haven't already done so. Maybe they are keeping the camera for a few days to examine it with other lost articles. Security is very tight now, and I doubt if a cleaner would have kept it, and not turned it in. The risk is too great that the camera could have been a "Security Plant" to test the cleaners. Maybe a fellow passenger picked it up. It's too early to give up hope. Best of luck, Don

-- Don Wansor (wansor@optonline.net), November 14, 2001.

I did the same thing a few months ago for my first Leica camera--- that wonderful Leica Mini 3... damn, I probably will end up with 2 Minis although I like the +2EV was the bomb on the Mini 3. Of course, I'm happy not to lose my Leicaflex... too damn heavy not to notice.

Sorry to hear your story. Best of luck recovering your camera. May you be blessed with extra Summicrons.

Leicafully, Alfie

-- Albert Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 14, 2001.

Stuart: get the serial#s, call every camera store in Orange County. The most likely scenario is whoever took it headed to a camera store to sell it--or at least determine its value. Pawn shops are less likely because most people know they don't give very much. Here in Florida, anyone selling or trading gear to a store has to fill out a form and put their thumb-print on it, then the store has to keep the gear for 2 weeks before they can re-sell it. I don't know the law in CA, but perhaps your M4-2 will turn up sooner or later. After all, most people won't even be able to figure out how to load it, let alone focus or set exposure, so they probably won't opt to keep/use it.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

As far as pawn shops in CA, you should file a report with the police. Any Pawn shop in CA has to file a report of everything taken in with a complete description and serial numbers to the police or local law enforcement agency which means that they'll probably use the serial number from the summicron as it's the first thing one sees when looking at the camera. Swap meets are not required to do any such thing and I can't speak for camera stores, but if they're governed like guitar shops, yes.

I would not give up so soon, it may take a while but you do have a good chance of recovery IF you file the report and keep up the leg work on your own. Oh yeah keep after those turds at United, make up a heart wrenching story if need be and find out where the plane was headed and file a report there as well.

-- Dave Doyle (soilsouth@home.com), November 14, 2001.

Bummer dude, what can I say?

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), November 14, 2001.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1297264512 ... hmm, a Leica M4-2 Winder from Orange County...

Alfie

-- Albert Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 14, 2001.

About 20+ years ago I bought an absolute mint Nikon S3 Rangefinder with a 50 1.4 at a pawnshop on Mission St. in San Francisco. I have to say this was against my better judgement but it really was a beautiful camera. A couple of weeks later I ran into a guy at a photo swap who said it was his camera and had been stolen. It was awkward but I said I'll do whatever it takes to make it right; go back to pawn shop, go to police or whatever. I just didn't want to be out what I paid. He ended up buying it from me for what I gave the pawn shop. (I think he had already collected the insurance). Lesson learned I never bought anything else in a pawn shop. Good luck. A curse on anybody who found your camera and didn't turn it in to United immediately.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), November 14, 2001.

What you did hurts like heck but is easy for any one of us to do. Many years ago I almost walked away from a restraunt leaving my camera bag under the table because there had not been enough room to place the bag on the table. Since it is so easy to be distracted and actually walk away leaving our precious equipment behind, I have made a practice of wrapping the strap of the camera bag, case or whatever, around my leg while seated; if I forget that it is there, I will be reminded when I stand to walk away; another plus of wrapping the strap around your limb is that it also makes it more difficult for a "snatch and run" thief to grab. If I have just camera with lense attached, I wear it or place it in my lap and the weight is the reminder that it is there. This may sound like a weird method but it has worked for me for decades.

-- nathan chatman (nathanchatman@usa.net), November 14, 2001.

That sucks!!!!!!!!! SORRY Stuart I learned this trick early on from a photo journalist so as not to leave or have my camera equip. behind. Always, when you sit down and down put your camera bag on the ground, put your foot through the bag strap and snug it aginst your ankle. It become second nature after a while. Prevents theft to. Hope this helps some one else out. I know I would have left my bag at some photo assinment by now if he wouldn't have told me. Sorry again. Scott

-- Scott (scottevans@mediaone.net), November 14, 2001.

Don,

Did the guy have hard proof it was his? BTW pawnshops are no longer the domain of the Sal Nassermans' (Rod Steiger..) of the world.

-- Dave Doyle (soilsouth@home.com), November 15, 2001.

Thank you all for your comments, condolences, advice and encouragement. So far I have drawn a complete blank with United Airlines. My attempts to find the camera & lens serial numbers have only been partially successful. The M4-2’s previous owner did not have the S/N, but it’s possible Leica, NJ might have it from a CLA around ’96. As for the lens, I think I have the number from its box. It’s a 9 digit number – 039008756. Does that sound about right for the latest model of the 50mm Summicron-M? I bought the lens used from Samy’s Camera in LA, and I’m assuming that the box was the original one. If so, I’ll distribute that to the Orange County camera shops, and I’ll file a report with the police.

Having retraced my steps, I know that I left the camera on my seat in the plane. I plan to speak with the Station Manager (or whatever the title is) at Orange County airport to offer a reward, directed at the cleaning crew and flight attendants. We’ll see if that yields anything.

In the meantime I’m considering selling my Bronica ETRSi kit to help finance the purchase of replacement Leica equipment. I’ve come to the conclusion I’m much more of a 35mm rangefinder guy than a MF guy. And I can only justify to myself buying one set of lenses costing $1000+ each, rather than 2.

Cheers, Stuart

-- Stuart Dorman (stuart.dorman@us.pwcglobal.com), November 15, 2001.