Those were the days my friend…

Preface : I've known some of this story, but finding it complete in detail on my fathers macbook is a real treasure!

In my father’s cupboard there was a Leica. The small leather case with the Leica logo on it smelled like Dubin. Sometimes it did have a film in it – sometimes not. I practiced focusing with the coupled split rangefinder – when my father was at work. After the leather case split open, my father stitched it by hand, using two curved leather needles.

My own camera at the time was a Zeiss Nettar folding camera that took a 120 roll film - with a top shutter speed of 1/300 of a second. Handed down from my father. Focus had to be guestimated. Exposure was for my account – aided by the little white paper that came in the film box. An upgrade was acquired after arduous negotiation with my father – an Olympus with a coupled rangefinder and a top shutterspeed of 1/500 of a second.

I learned to develop, print and sell prints at school – Rugby, hockey, inter schools – it all worked and made me a packet! Sport and social events were photographed and my images appeared in the local Worcester Standard every week. End of the month I received my payment from the newspaper. I could buy film in bulk and reload the film casettes – so more frames could be shot. The professional photographer from a neighbouring town used me as a second shooter till I could do my own weddings – more money! All into the camera fund.

And then I asked if I could use the Leica for the main rugby game of the year. Father said YES!

Now this Leica has something that my Zeiss did not have, and that was a top shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second! But remember – no such thing as a telephoto lens – the standard 50mm f3.5 Elmar lens could be focused using a separate rangefinder window. So focusing had to be established before the action – even if you had a shutter speed of 1/1000.

To shoot a rugby game with a 50mm lens is a different kettle of fish. I had to finish my game (in the low league) and then rush to the main game. There was no relaxing behind the score line – I had to move up and down the field and wait for the action to come to the sideline. After the game it was back on my bicycle to get home and develop the film – not many shots – only ONE film – 36 exposures.

The shot of this game that made it to the newspapers – the local Worcester Standard and Die Burger – was the winning penalty kick by Koos Neethling. His foot was buried in the ball, and the ball was still on the ground! Strange – in October, during our school class reunion, this is the shot that the guys still talk about!

One of my prized possessions today is that 1937 Leica IIc with the checkered history. Given to my father as part payment for debt during World War II in Cape Town. Fell in the sea at the Langebaan lagoon in the late 1940’s – completely disassembled and cleaned the following day at a repair shop in Cape Town. Photographed us as children, spend some time with a family member before it returned home. Received a new shutter in 1975-77. Still in a working condition today – not bad for an 80 year old veteran…