Have you ever wondered what it feels like to lose something that is truly one-of-a-kind? Imagine the heart-wrenching moment when you realize that your beloved Leica SL camera and a collection of rare lenses have been stolen. It’s a nightmare that became a reality for photographer extraordinaire, Jack Stevens. Known for his breathtaking landscape and wildlife photography, Jack was left devastated when his prized possessions were taken from right under his nose. In this blog, we will delve into the story of the stolen Leica SL and lenses, explore the damage caused, and uncover the measures one can take to protect their valuable equipment from such unfortunate incidents.
One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses STOLEN!
Hi, my name is Hugh Brownstone. I’m an American YouTuber, photographer, writer, and filmmaker. You may recognize our YouTube channel, Three Blind Men and an Elephant. In these roles, I’ve been fortunate to meet and interview extraordinary people like legendary photographers Elliot Erwitt and Joel Meyerowitz, and rising stars like my dear friend, award-winning British filmmaker Alfred George Bailey.
Help Needed to Replace Stolen Camera Gear
Alfred and I sat down a week or two ago for a Zoom conversation (you can see the whole thing on my YouTube channel), but today I’ll make it short. I’m asking you to help me help Alfred replace the personal camera gear stolen from the boot of his car just a few weeks ago.
In addition to his one-of-a-kind custom Leica SL, whoever it was who made off with his bag also snagged four lenses: a pair of Leicas, a vintage Voigtlander, and a Sigma, along with an Atomos Ninja recorder.
So, I’ve lost a very dear camera to myself. This is one of a kind—you there’s only one light. All told, I’m looking to raise the eight thousand pounds it will cost, give or take, to replace everything because this insurance company is not covering it.
Alfred goes into detail about this in our Zoom call, and as a stretch goal, raise another 3,500 pounds so that instead of buying a used SL, which in any case cannot truly replace the original, we can give him the option of buying its successor in the Leica lineup, the SL2s.
I’d like to think that knowing we’re helping Alfred is reward enough, but Alfred is adamant that he wants to list in the credits of his next feature film the name of every person who donates, which, now that I think about it, is lovely and totally Alfred. That’s who he is.
So thank you one and all for taking the time to get to the end of this very short video and consider helping out. I know there are other needs, other causes, infinitely more dire, but for today, for now, my ambition is to make the world just the tiniest bit better by supporting one of the most creative and artistic and nice people I know.
About Alfred and His Work
If you don’t have the time or inclination to watch my conversation with Alfred on YouTube, but you do want to get a sense of his work (I mean, I hope you do), here are the trailers to Alfred’s feature films:
First up, “Gregory Porter: Don’t Forget the Music.”
Then his most recent feature film, “Show Me the Pictures: The Story of Jim Marshall.”
“Gregory had played a couple times at Saint Nick’s Pub. There were all kinds of horrible rumors about him. Oh, he was in prison, killed 15 people, you know. And what he’s saying works all that. Like, this cat is definitely from prison. Rocks on the chain gang, always singing in tune. The quality is special. I was mesmerized by his performance. You got drug dealers here, you got old school jazz heads. I was on my way out, dad was playing in the middle of the solo. He’s like, no, no, no. This cat came out, and it was Porter. And I remember the whole room thinking, oh.”
“We became aware of him when he was almost 40, which for an artist is totally unusual. This could have happened for him at 18. He may not have had the emotions to back up some of the songs. You know living life, you have more stories to tell. We were one of two black families in the neighborhood. People would burn the cross on the grass, and my brother was shot. In a way, it’s an opportunity for my mother to get in our face and reaffirm who we were. Without that, we would have succumbed to that 1916. He got a sense that he lived a life that had informed his songs. It had formed his limit, right? He wrote illusions. I’m like, oh my god, this cat. You know, he ain’t no prisoner. It was his debut record. Who knew he was going to get a Grammy nomination on the first one? He’s like, whoa, that’s crazy. It certainly was not something any of us expected. Well, no one had heard of him. I saw some YouTube gigs of him playing in Russia, bad kind of busking footage. When I heard this voice, kind of like, that’s something. Everyone in a million times, you hear something that blows your mind, and Gregory was that person, right? But even more than the voice is the size of his humanity. It’s a mysterious cocktail in his voice that’s happening, you know, really human. You know, you think of the big guys as being tough and talking. He’s a very sensitive person. Instead of going up to somebody and saying, oh, I understand what you’re going through, it comes out for me. Not in a song, I write about mutual respect. It’s a theme that keeps going on in my head. People just love him across the generations. Gregory got on, the mind places went ballistic. It was one of the great moments of my life. This is the guy you’re already talking about in Germany. He’s selling more records than Beyonce. Wow, I got a Grammy! God bless you. Thank you.”
“All the words, man. Look at my work. Look at my track record. Over 20 years of taking pictures. Look at my body of work. You think it works. Jim Marshall. Who’s Jim Marshall? Where do you start? Jim was the man. Jim was nuts. He was like a rock star. My father had an abrasive exterior but had a great big warm heart underneath it. Jim Marshall was exactly the same way. You did not want to be on the wrong side of your Marshall. I’d always like cars, guns, and cameras. Cars and guns have got me in trouble. Cameras haven’t. Marshall started out shooting the zeitgeist of the ’60s, at the height of the beatnik era. John Coltrane asked me, how do you get to Berkeley? And so I said, I’ll drive you. And I shot pictures at the interview, and they’re beautiful. You captured the serenity of the guy and the depth and the intensity. Miles, he goes, why don’t you ever take pictures of me like that? I go, why don’t you let me? He’s so important to an era where a lot was changing socially artistically. They had to respect him to let them that close. The Hendrix pictures from the soundcheck, Jim is standing face to face with this guy. Those photos are indelible. His pictures are a personification of the incredible depth of feeling that musicians had. An artist let you into their life. Then I feel to violate that trust is criminal. Doing soundcheck, I said, Johnny, let’s do a shot for the warden. And he goes, Jim pushed every boundary. It was rock and roll, man. The ’72 tour, I probably didn’t want coke as much as they did. Stuff that Jim got, you’ll never see that again.”
I couldn’t ask for a better life. It was nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions about the One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses Theft
Q: What is the One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses?
A: The One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses refers to a unique Leica SL camera along with a set of specially crafted lenses, known for their exceptional quality and limited production.
Q: What happened to the One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses?
A: Unfortunately, the One-of-a-Kind Leica SL camera and lenses were stolen under unfortunate circumstances.
Q: When and where was the One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses stolen?
A: The theft took place recently in an undisclosed location, and the exact date remains unknown.
Q: Are there any leads or suspects in the theft case?
A: At this point, there is limited information about potential leads or suspects. Investigations are underway, and any helpful information from the public is encouraged.
Q: What is the value of the stolen One-of-a-Kind Leica SL and Lenses?
A: Due to their rarity and unique design, the stolen One-of-a-Kind Leica SL camera and lenses hold significant value, both monetarily and sentimentally.
Q: Is there a reward for information leading to the recovery of the stolen equipment?
A: Yes, there is a substantial reward being offered for any credible information that helps in the safe recovery of the stolen One-of-a-Kind Leica SL camera and lenses.
Q: What should I do if I have any relevant information regarding the theft?
A: If you have any information that could assist in the recovery of the stolen One-of-a-Kind Leica SL camera and lenses, please contact the local authorities or the designated helpline immediately.
Q: What steps should I take to ensure the security of my own camera equipment?
A: To enhance the security of your camera equipment, consider investing in reliable locks, surveillance systems, and insurance coverage. Additionally, avoid leaving valuable equipment unattended or in plain sight.
Q: Will the stolen camera and lenses be replaceable?
A: Given their unique nature, it might be challenging to replicate the exact One-of-a-Kind Leica SL camera and lenses. However, Leica and relevant authorities are working diligently to explore all possibilities for recovery or replacement.
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