Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/06/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>From: Luiz Otavio Marinho <lmarinho@br2001.com.br> >Date: Sat, 21 Jun 1997 23:09:29 -0300 >Subject: Re: film not dead in 20 years.... >One CNN News watcher wrote: >>2. People in third-world countries won't be able to afford the initial >> investment to buy a CCD camera. > Hello,=20 > I'm in "third-world", I don't like this expression because in Amazon Ju= >gle we have more gold than in any other place of the globe. But, it's Ok. > Try to sell a Leica here. If it's stay more than 4 days to be sold I will >give you my M6 for free.=20 Where is the 3=B0 / 4=B0 country in Ferrari sells... Here. > The only problem to sell CCD cameras here will be the Import Taxes(Fees). >Nothing more, Nothing less. > Regards...Sorry for my 3=B0 world english. >P/S: Never say "Third-World" here, It sounds like "Niger" in the Bronx/NY >or "Japs" in Japan or "Frisco" in San Francisco. > Luiz Otavio Marinho >S=E3o Paulo - Brazil I've based my observations on having lived (and currently living) in Latin America for 5 years. I have yet to see anyone in either Costa Rica or Ecuador use a Leica. Most of the Ecuadorian press use old beat up cameras with no name lenses. A few have usage of the latest autofocus cameras mostly middle of the line models, but those are often owned by the newspapers. I've worked quite a few futbol (soccer) games and a few press conferences and have talked with photographers, so I know. There may be a lot of gold, oil and banana in the amazon, but very few people control that wealth. In Ecuador some 800,000 people live in extreme poverty. Probably another 2 million live in poverty and all but a relative few are marginally better than that. I don't know the stats for Brazil, but I doubt it's much better. I been in a number of "middle class" homes of professionals and quite a few shacks with dirt floors. Even professional accountants and teachers are barely surviving with everyone working and have very little disposable income. And of all the doctors I've met, none has a truly late model camera. One of the richest families in the world lives in Ecuador. Does that mean the masses can afford a digital camera? No way! There are hundreds of thousands of people in Ecuador who do not have running water, let alone a telephone, It's really 4th world, not even third. I've seen a couple of Ferraris here and lot's of BMW's and Mercedes. Unfortunately enough, many were purchased with less than honest sources of income or as a result of drug money laundering in "legitimate"business. Not everyone is corrupt of course and fortunes have been made from soaring land values, lumber, flowers and other trade. Most Latin Americans I've seen take pictures are still using 126 and 110 or a disposable and they shoot maybe one roll of film a year. Some have cheap fixed focus 35mm Kodaks etc. Most of the indigenous peoples have never taken a photo and a few have a small handful of photos in their possession. Most "professional studios" are far less equipped with far older EQ than the majority of U.S. serious amateurs. I see a lot of "pro's" who have one camera, an old Minolta or Canon with a 50mm and a cheap vivitar 2000 or 2900 flash. Luis is obviously doing well enough to be able to afford a Leica. Enjoy it. It's easy to think that with much of the yet undeveloped natural wealth that Latin America has, that it is not "third world". There are sections of Ecuador, Brazil and others that are as developed as any place in the world. But sadly that is often the exception. It is difficult for the upper class here to see the needs of the lower classes even though it is painfully obvious. They won't even give them a first glance nor recognize their presence. They treat the average worker like dirt. Much of Latin America and the world faces poverty, be thankful for the wealth you have. Duane Birkey HCJB World Radio Quito Ecuador