Well yes, that just might happen…
On 09.09.09, many a photographer grew a new dream. The Leica M9 full frame digital rangefinder was introduced, unfortunately with a hefty price tag.
Instead of leaving the M9 a distant dream, Norwegian photographer and family man Jarle Aasland took action. He started the website leicadream.com with a hope that a little help from many people eventually will earn him the coveted camera.
On his website, visitors can donate money through Paypal, or they can buy from a plethora of items such as T-shirts, water bottles and underwear from his LeicaDream webshop.
We asked Jarle about his project, and how it’s coming along.
- So far, I’ve raised several hundred dollars, but there’s still a long way to go. Will my dream come true by Christmas? Not very likely. Will I be able to buy a M9 next year? Maybe, but there are no guarantees. It’s all about numbers.
- If every visitor had purchased a T-shirt or donated a few dollars to see their photo on the front page, I could give away a Leica M9 every week. No kidding. That won’t happen of course, but it illustrates the power in numbers.
In addition to raising money for his own M9 and a couple of lenses, Jarle has something else up his sleeve for his visitors. After funding his own camera, he will be giving away a second M9, if the funds are sufficient.
- Apparently, some people seem to be a little sceptical about the “I’ll give away a M9″ part. That’s understandable, but let me assure you that I’m dead serious. I can’t promise anything, but if I can raise the money for another Leica M9, I will give it away.
He admits that the challenge now is to keep up traffic when the news effect wears off. Luckilym he says, some of the best traffic sources are Twitter and Facebook meaning he’s not depentant on traditional news media to spread the word.
If you want to help Jarle fulfill his dream, you can visit his LeicaDream website, or buy some cool stuff from his webshop. You can also read his review of the Leica M9, where he explains why he fell in love with it in the first place.
We wish him the very best of luck, and hope to see a leicashot of his on this website some time in the future.
Good luck! Hope you make it (and that I win the other M9) :D