| THE
PURCHASE .... I
craved for a true micro lens for a long time. Yes the "macro mode"
in some of my zoom lenses allowed for closer focus, but that was
that. So one good day I had the day off for myself. On a holiday
and in shopping mood in Paris, I could have done a lot of damage
to my credit cards. But it was January 1st and both "the official
Nikon" store in Paris, Shop Photo Nikon at 191 Rue de Courcelles
and all of the local Nikon photo shops at the Boulevard Beaumarchais
were doing their year-end inventory behind closed doors. Early
next day I had to return home.
|
|
The
Tokina AT-X M100AF, 100mm f/2.8 AF Macro |
But
other stores were open. After window shopping up and down Boulevard
Beaumarchais, at number 89 I entered; it had the not so ingenious
name of Euro Photo.
It
was small, cluttered with lenses and bodies both inside the glass
shelves on all sides and on top of them. Behind a tiny counter
there was a short man of clear Asian genetics. He looked very
tired, as if he just had landed from the ever so slow and long
cruise from Singapore to Marseilles, aboard a sampan. It never
occurred to me that it could just be a nasty hangover from the
previous night, New Year's Eve.
He
seemed most happy to see me. I know, I know ..... I should have
run away immediately; but those shelves, filled with so many treasures
behind the glass, both new and semi new of all the known and unknown
brands, had me hypnotized. And the price tags here and there did
not look that wild. After all, it was Paris.
Of
course I asked him about the AF 105mm f/2.8D Micro Nikkor. He
told me at once he did not have it. Amazed at his knowing so well
what merchandise he had, I then proceeded to ask for the 105mm
f/2.5. Of this lens, he produced three used specimens in a cinch.
Overly battered for my taste, I imagined them having being at
Dien Bien Phu in the hands of some war correspondents, but rapidly
discounted the thought of buying them for their possible "historical"
value.
Just
by watching my facial expression, the shrewd salesman and probable
owner went again into his shelves and turned to me with a brand
new shinning black Tokina AT-X M100AF f/2.8 with Nikon mount;
I guess I was so mesmerized that I did not stop to think he did
that many times a day for a living; perhaps since he was just
a boy. Besides Nikkors, there were Sigmas, Tamrons, Vivitars and
even a Phoenix, but somehow he knew I might have pooed at them.
I
asked for the price and he quoted some outrageous figure, but
with the face of someone needing the money for the ransom of his
entire family, great-grandparents included, from a cruel triad.
How could I make a fuss?. He must have known how I hate to haggle.
Without
taking my eyes off the lens, I took out all of the francs on my
left pocket and placed them on the counter. A UV filter? Here
you have this Hoya. A shade? In about 28 seconds, a 55mm Hoya
rubber hood came from a long string where about 50 of several
sizes were tied together. The box? Here it is. Does it have a
case? And the leatherette case was produced at once, from under
the counter, with the Tokina name imprinted. From up his sleeve
a guarantee came out. He was a magician!. My change? After an
instantaneous hesitation he gave me back some francs, just enough
to get back to my hotel not on foot.
So,
please don't ask me how much I paid for it. I don't even want
to guess. But I traveled back to my hotel at Place Vendome with
the huge smile I am still wearing when I remember that I am now
the proud and satisfied owner of a Macro Tokina AT-X 100AF. And
for sure I don't regret it. I well know now that as one grows
older, there is no need to avoid temptations, temptations begin
to avoid you by themselves. |
