I'm in love. The 18 megapixel Leica M9 is simply the cutest little camera you can imagine. Shortly after its announcement in September 2009, I was lucky to spend a few days with one of the first production cameras to get out of the Leica factory in Solms.
Sadly, I had to give it back. Now I want one, and I want it bad. Unfortunately, it's a ridiculously expensive tool, and I simply can't justify the hefty price tag. I guess I could sell a kidney or something, but I'd still have a hard time convincing my wife that I really need another camera (it's true, honey, I do!).
I then set up this website in a desperate attempt to fund one. Ok, it's not as desperate as it sounds. It's all done tongue in cheek and with lots of humour, realizing that I'll probably have to save up the cash, like everyone else.
I don't expect to make a lot of money, but initial response has been overwhelming. People are buying T-shirts, SIGG water bottles, thongs (!) and other stuff, and even donating money without asking for anything back (and not just pennies, either). Needless to say, I'm both grateful and humble.
You can support the dream by buying a cool t-shirt, an eco-friendly SIGG water bottle, a bag, a mug or some other nice stuff. You can also get your photo and web site featured on the front page. You never know - maybe leicadream.com will become a cult web site visited by millions? If so, it will certainly make it more difficult to become a "featured photographer" - which is why you should act now. See here for more ways to support the dream.
I'm sure that some grumpy people will think this site is a stupid idea, but life is too short to worry about the naysayers.
It's not about the money. It's not even about a camera. It's about a dream, which makes all the difference in the world.
A classic Mark Twain quote: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
I'd love to hear from you. Send an e-mail to dreamleica@gmail.com. I may include some of the best/funniest comments somewhere on the site.
Thank you for your time and support. (Since you're still reading I assume I got your attention?)