Salgado's Leica for Sale

Photo-Arsenal is selling Sebastiao Salgado's Leica, for $140,183. Plus $42 shipping.

Actually, this disappoints me a little. This is a special set made to commemorate serial number 3,000,000, presented to Brazilian photographer Salgado in honor of his work and his contributions. If I were a collector, I might be more interested in a camera Salgado had actually used for a long time.

Leicas that look too new are sort of embarrassing. Look here for some pictures of how Leicas ought to look.

This one's the camera equivalent of what, in book collecting, they call an "association copy," meaning an object that is associated with a certain person. It was made in honor of Salgado, presented to him, and he owned it. But at the same time it was not really "his" camera in the usual sense.

The term for an object's ownership history is "provenance." I've mentioned here that I once owned a Leica that belonged to the actor Jack Lemmon. I once visited Ralph Gibson's studio in SoHo, and he had in his darkroom the Leitz Focomat enlarger that Robert Frank had used to print the original pictures for The Americans. I've always said that one deserves to end up in the Smithsonian. I also got a tip once about a Leitz Focotar enlarging lens that belonged to Lee Friedlander; an internet correspondent of mine had been in a New York photo store when Friedlander came in and sold the lens to them. (That's also how I got the Lemmon Leica, from a photo store clerk who had taken it in trade-in—Mr. Lemmon bought a Nikon DSLR, if I remember correctly. It was only shortly before he died.)

Makes me wonder where some other famous cameras are. Some of Ansel Adams's are at Arizona, although his Hasselblad outfit was auctioned in 1998 and reportedly purchased by that DJ who disgraced himself by calling female basketball players nasty names a few years ago. I suppose Edward Weston's children still have his cameras. I wonder where Stieglitz's view camera ended up? It was already ancient and falling apart when Stieglitz owned it.

For that matter, I wonder where Leica serial number 1,000,000 is? It was made for, and presented to, Alfred Eisenstadt, I think. I also think he used his. Doesn't look like Mr. Salgado put many miles on this one.

_____________________

Mike

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Featured Comment by Richard: "Did you mention that Africa is out? The reproduction quality is quite high, to my untrained eyes. The photos are without peer of course."

Mike replies: For some reason, my readers don't care for Africa. I did a post about it and not one reader ordered one, one of the worst results I've ever gotten from a link! (I do pay attention, to try to get a handle on peoples' tastes.) It is a shame as it is a marvelous photobook—the photographs themselves, their technical quality, and the reproduction quality are all absolutely top notch. (Although I like the Leica pictures better than the Pentax pictures.)

But I decided it was too expensive for me, and I didn't buy it for myself at the time despite my admiration for it, so I guess I understand. Then again, it's a lot cheaper now than it was prior to last Christmas...about the same as the shipping cost for the camera above, actually!

UPDATE: I get to take back my comment above about our readers not liking Africa. In the 24 hours after this comment went up, seven people bought the book. Cool.

I have to say it's fun being able to see what people are buying (I get reports on what's sold through our links, but not who buys it and not what else any given individual bought—just the item and the number sold). It's interesting to get such a "hard read" on what interests and appeals to people.

Featured Comment by Mark S+: "Alfred Stieglitz's 8x10, a Kodak 2D, is in the collection of the George Eastman House (GEH), donated by Georgia O'Keefe. It was on display a couple of years ago, and yes, it's pretty beat. (It was carrying a brass 12" Goerz Dagor lens.) There's lots of historical hardware there—currently on display is the 4x5 Speed Graphic that Joe Rosenthal used on Iwo Jima."

Mike replies: Thanks Mark!

Featured Comment by tbm: "Kim Weston still has his grandfather [Edward]'s and father [Cole]'s camera equipment, but he currently uses two identical Arca-Swiss 8x10 cameras on heavy stands while capturing images at the ocean and in his studio. He bought both cameras, each costing about $7–8 thousand, a while ago. I have photographed with him twice in the last three years, and the quality of the images that end up on his large negatives is stunning! He has an 8x10 enlarger, a cold-tube enlarger, and an old Leitz 35mm enlarger in his darkroom. With the 8x10 he makes enormous enlargements, but dust is a recurring problem. However, he mastered spotting prints while being trained by his father and he is amazingly proficient at ridding his prints of spots and other artifacts."

(Inset: Kim Weston [seated] at Wildcat Hill, Edward Weston's old home in the Carmel Highlands where Kim Weston and his wife Gina now live. Arca-Swisses at right. From kimweston.com. —MJ)
 

Comments

[Tony Collins]

The worn Leica linked made me wonder how a well used DSLR will be described in future for sale ads.

"Lightly Magnesiummed?"

[Tony Collins]

Only $42 carriage? Will that cover the cost of it being brought to my home on a palanquin borne by four seven foot tall aryans?

[Juan Buhler]

I wholeheartedly agree regarding how a camera "should" look. That must be why, about ten years ago, the day I had gotten my fist Leica, a used but pristine black classic M6, I proceeded to crash it against a concrete floor :) I unbent the rewind know with pliers and used it like that for about a year after that.

My M8 got the tape treatment when I got it, and I was determined to take good care of it, given the price, and the fact that I wasn't sure I'd want to keep it. Somehow, after six months, now the bottom plate is pretty badly scratched and has a ding or two.

Never buy a used camera from me.

[Marten Collins]

Yup, okay but I can think of a lot of other things that I might do with that amount of money. But $42 delivery!

[Gustaf Erikson]

Considering that Salgado is renowned for making images of the poor and downtrodden, I initially felt that this was an auction in pretty poor taste. But when I read it, I found that it's being sold in support of a charity, by Salgado himself.

This feels ok to me. He's a working photographer presented with a weird and embarrasing camera from a manufacturer. It's both an honour of sorts and a marketing stunt by Leica. The camera is unique (like any other camera), the only thing making it special is the serial number and the finish.

Let some collector buy it and hoard it, at least some of the money will be put to good use!

[Michael W]

Does Photo Arsenal ever end up selling any of this outrageously priced gear? I've seen links in the past to similar auctions. I've always assumed it was some sort of fishing expedition in hope of landing a foolish whale.

[Jay Moynihan]

Pretty camera.

On DPR there is a thread about a recent German article wherein Salgado says that he has started shooting digital, due to changes in film emulsion characteristics he does not like.

[Stephen Best]

"That's also how I got the Lemmon Leica, from a photo store clerk who had taken it in trade-in—Mr. Lemmon bought a Nikon DSLR, if I remember correctly. It was only shortly before he died."

Maybe there's a moral in this.

[Mike J.]

Stephen Best,
You don't suppose it means Sebastiao Salgado is about to die, do you?

Mike J.

[Dave T]

If I remember correctly, the letter with the camera set was in reference to when the camera was first sold at the (27.11.2005) Westlicht Photographica Auction. I am not sure whether or not any amount of the proceeds from the current sale would go anywhere but to Photo Arsenal.

Dave T.

[Stephen Best]

"You don't suppose it means Sebastiao Salgado is about to die, do you?"

Hope not. The big show of his I saw at AGNSW in Sydney quite a few years ago was quite an experience.

[EmmJay]

At $140,000 I hope they're springing for insurance. Hey I have my own personal Nikon FE (black of course) I'll let go for $5000. I used it to win a photo contest. Don't make me Ebay the thing and get more.

[Michel]

I believe it is misleading for this auction to display Salgado's letter stating that the proceeds of the sale will go to fund a reforestation project when it does not apply to THIS sale.

Regarding Salgado's Africa, I have a copy of it (and think it's an incredible book) thanks to TOP. You had it on display around the time that my wife was asking for birthday gift suggestions. She went out and bought it instead of using the link. I just made a small donation to TOP that hopefully makes up for the lost commission.

Cheers,

Michel

[Mike J.]

Michel,
You *really* didn't have to do that. I mean, thank you very much, but you really were not obligated in the slightest.

Mike J.

[Andre Moreau]

The eBay seller publishes a letter of thanks by Salgado signed and dated Paris, November 27th, 2005 adressed to the buyer of the M7 Titanium set serial no 3,000,000

So, is this an encore presentation of a previous auction where the camera set did not sell or an auction for the present owner of the camera set, acquired in 2005?

[Chris]

I have a 4x5 Graflex Graphic view camera that belonged to Irving Penn. He gave it to one of his assistants, who then gave it to me (after I assisted for her). The ground glass is broken and needs to be replaced, but otherwise it works fine.

[Ben Johnson]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Salgado actually prefer to shoot with Leica SLRs? This might explain the minty condition of this M7 kit.

[Joe Reifer]

Looks a bit nicer than Winogrand's Leica.
http://www.cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

[Mike Nelson Pedde]

This reminds me of something I read on the Luminous Landscape a few years ago. Michael Reichmann was in Tokyo, looking at old Leica cameras. He asked to remove the plastic from one so he could try it out and the salesman was aghast that someone would even consider doing so. A camera like that was meant to be purchased, maybe kept in a safe, but certainly not used!

Different strokes...

Mike.

[Bill Mitchell]

I think he switched from Leica to Pentax 645 several years ago. Apparently has gone digital? A superb photographer and great human.

[Charlie H.]

Just as a matter of interest, I would love to see Salgado's actual Leica being auctioned at the same time to see which camera sold for more. I suspect the new Leica would do better, just becuase it is something of a one of kind, irrespective of its association with the artist.

Charlie H.

[cb]

It is absolutely typical for M leicas to get sold in pristine condition (usual remark: only ten films through it). Only very few know how to put them to use.

Most users wear 'em like a duncecap.

[Mike J.]

"I have a 4x5 Graflex Graphic view camera that belonged to Irving Penn. He gave it to one of his assistants, who then gave it to me (after I assisted for her)."

Chris,
Do you have a letter of provenance from her? It's essential--hearsay just won't do on the market (or for future historians). If you still know her, ask her to write out what she knows about the camera for you--dates, places, anything she can recall.

Mike J.

[Mike J.]

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Salgado actually prefer to shoot with Leica SLRs?"

Ben,
Last I heard, in the late '80s early '90s, he used two M6's, one with a 28mm lens and one with a 35mm lens, and one SLR with a 60mm Macro. That's been a while now, of course.

Mike J.

[Mike J.]

"I think he switched from Leica to Pentax 645 several years ago."

Bill,
I don't think "switched" is the right word. A small percentage of the shots (mostly landscapes and animal photos) in "Africa" were taken with Pentax 645, but I've not heard that this is/was anything permanent.

Mike J.

[photogdave]

"Most users wear 'em like a duncecap."
Here we go again... perpetuating the myth that M cameras are for wealthy dentists who don't know how to shoot them.
I Have two Ms and a CL and they are pretty much in constant use. I am certainly not alone in actually shooting with these cameras.
Try visiting a site like rangefinderforum.com and you'll find plenty of Ms for sale with much more than 10 rolls of film through them, and hundreds of people who know how to use them properly.
Sheesh!

[David Boyce]

"It is absolutely typical for M leicas to get sold in pristine condition (usual remark: only ten films through it)."

Really? Based on what? I get annoyed that people seem to think that Leica users are wearing them as jewellery. Sure, some people buy them and hardly use them. Must be a lot of F5's 5D's and D300's (insert any expensive camera) gathering dust out there as well, but, hey, thats different, they aren't Leica's.

I use my Leica. The photographers I know who own them use them. Mine is with me just about all the time, it gets used and treated like what it is, a tool.

You comment puts me in mind of the guy that came up to me recently when I was working with some artists and activists in a street market for a preservation campaign and asked me if I was a dentist or doctor. He had a Canon 1DS, probably set on program, with some huge big white lens poking out the front. Now that's wearing jewellery.......

[Chris]

Unfortunately, no written documentation on the camera. I never considered it to have value because of that, I don't think my mentor did either. Still, I have to reason to not trust her, but that is of no use to anyone but me. For her it mainly has sentimental value, as it does for me also.

[michael]

Only $140,183? I'll take two.

[cb]

Ah, really it's only my preconception that Leicas are owned by people who like to pose and don't know much about photography?

Well for evidence just check:
1) dealers shelves
2) the 'Leica Kundenforum', particularly the German part - and have a look at the pictures as well
3) alternatively you may go to photo.net Leica user group

If this doesn't clarify than ask yourself why so many commemorative Leicas were built. Ask yourself why you see - once in a while guys wearing a Leica M - ROUND THEIR NECK and never ever in their hands.

I've been a Leica M user a while back. If one has some self-confidence one does not want to be associated with this type of guys. Not convinced - then just look at the responses above.