Members of the Photo Yodobashi editorial crew are always carrying their cameras. I'm convinced when they say, "How can you evaluate a camera if you don't buy yours?," but after I saw them packing three cameras in their bag with a smile, I almost say, "No, you're lying. You just want it, don't you?" They are mysterious beings because all their income is converted to equipment. I even think their salary can be paid directly by equipment rather than cash... No, that's not gonna work.

Most of them are using Leica. I envied them. I wondered how they can afford it, and could never make my decision to go for it. I like the classic design and compact system, but the price tag looked monstrous. To me, having more equipment for my SLR system made more sense, but at the same time, I couldn't stop thinking of Leica.

And the phrase above triggered my debut with a Leica.

I didn't really understand the message well, but I guess I just wanted someone to push my back. I decided to buy the Leica M-E which was just released, "to invest in myself." (You can call it an excuse). But, I just made my decision and it meant that I would buy when I have to. You understand what I'm saying, right? But, everyone here says to me, "Worry only after you buy, not before you buy." Is it their requiem to their extravagance? As soon as I finally declared to pay by installments, everyone applauded. I even hadn't consulted with my wife, but I couldn't go back. I did something unbelievable, but strangely, I also felt happy.

Few days later, one carefully packed box arrived at my house. I finally became a Leica user. Now, I need to choose a lens. They recommended me the "Elmar 5cm f3.5" among unlimited choices. I don't know really well, but they say it's a basic Leica lens. I usually use a SLR camera with chunky prime lenses, so honestly I was worried if this tiny toy-like lens can take pictures because the number of glasses is undeniably smaller. By the way, they say this lens is a modified lens which was taken out from Leica A. But, I don't know what it means.

Contrary to my expectation, this is an excellent lens. Even if I focused loosely with the rangefinder, I was able to focus on what I wanted to focus. The focus point looks tack sharp and the bokeh gradually increases from the focus point. It looks so soft and natural. I smiled. This is more than I expected.

As I'm used to DSLR cameras, I'm a little bewildered by the loose finder that I cannot make sure what's exactly included. I thought I cropped only what I needed, but the picture includes things I wanted to exclude. Also, I still haven't got used to rangefinder focusing. But, I don't feel it's inconvenient, and I rather come to want to master this tool.

I think it's a manner to an instrument, or a Japanese mind that believes the gods lodge in everything. I want to handle a fine instrument carefully. Plus, it's expensive. It's fun to shoot by trial and error, listening to the comfortable shutter sound. I got another smile when I look at the results on the back monitor. Just like a 3D image, the subject emerges from the background. Do these wonderful images come from the Elmar lens or the body? I became completely drawn into the camera as if I went back to my junior high school days.

I hear there're many unique M/L mount lenses. So, I also tested the Summarit 5cm F1.5. I see. This softness is something that modern lens can never produce. When shot wide open, the scene becomes a mysterious world because of the flare-like light. I want to take advantage of it and I get amazing results. So, I cannot stop shooting.

I was able to enter this rangefinder world by spending a large sum of money. Yes, the people around me pushed my back, too. As of now, I still haven't paid my first installment, but I feel I can become a better photographer because of my great satisfaction of owing a Leica and my new motivation to master it. Is this the message they wanted to convey? I guess I need to shoot more to fully understand what they said.