I found this new entry on Gandy's site. It has some nice photos of Tom Abrahamsson and his unique Leica cameras. It is worth looking at if you like the older gear, but beware purists... there is a purple Leica... yes, a purple Leica!

Tom Abrahamsson's Leica stuff

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), January 08, 2002

Answers

I want the "Purple Haze"!!!

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 09, 2002.

Hi Al,

thanks for pointing to this link! It is very much appreciated. Please inform this forum, should these cameras go on sale.

Best wishes

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), January 11, 2002.

I know the purple Leica. I've seen it and held it in my hands. It is not just a camera but a work of art in itself. It makes me think of Leopold Mozart's musical jokes. It engendered an inspiration: a candy apple red Leica with matching Rapidwinder. You take it from there.

In honor of Tom's Purple Haze, I did get a purple Softy. It now graces the top of my Silver classic M-6.

The most interesting piece of equipment Tom had the last time I saw him and Tuulikki in Vancouver was a prototype 75/2.4 Leica M lens. There is a long story behind it, but don't worry about it; none of us will ever come by one like it. (It is isn't as light as the Voightlander 75/2.5. apparently.)

Tom has a lot of cool stuff, but he stresses these things are "uncollectables"--he uses them all. In fact he is constantly selling or exchanging cameras and lenses that he doesn't anticipate using any longer.

Me--I'm a pack rat. The last time I parted with a lens (a Canon 70- 150/4.5) was 20 years ago and I still miss it. I've got to get out and use that Canon 7S....

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), January 14, 2002.

Alex,

That really bothers me about the 75mm lens. Leica keeps saying they will not build a slower model than the current huge, expensive and less than stealthy lens. Now you say that a prototype slower model was built and apparently offered up for testing. You have to wonder why they can't pull off a lens that would no doubt be embraced by many users. A 28mm and 75mm would be a sweet combination.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), January 14, 2002.

The purple Leica is my protest camera. Leica kept putting out all of these "special editions" and decided to do my own. It uses a M4 chassi, the top-plate from a defunct M4P and the whole thing is powdercoated purple. George at Kameraleder contributed the turquoise neckstrap. All that remains is to replace the dial on the backdoor with a peacesign and it is complete! The 75/2,4 Apo-Elmarit M is a lens that I saw at Leica Midland,Canada in the mid 80's and it took me 15 years to find the one that I now have. Next issue of the LHSA "Viewfinder" will have an article about the lens and pictures both of it and with it. Tom A

-- Tom Abrahamsson (TTAbrahams@aol.com), January 14, 2002.

I would love to have a 75mm f2.4. I would buy one. It would fill the gap between 50mm and 90mm nicely. Especially since we dont have the small and lightweight 90mm f4 anymore.

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), January 15, 2002.