Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>I don't think that the camera, or type of camera that you use has any >bearing on ones creativity. Perhaps on a persons selectivity in what is >shot, but I feel that owning Michaelangelo's chisel would not make one a >great scupturer. I have seen photos that great impact, (on me), taken >with every format, and with all kinds of lenses. Haven't you? I was commenting on how I see things and that FOR ME zooms reduce my creativity. I prefer non zoom lenses. I have never said that just because you get a more expensive camera you will become a better photographer. Photography is a very personal thing and you must be intune with how your gear functions, and how it allows you to see the world. For me, a zoom lens is a kind of cop out. Instead of thinking how the lens will either compress the distance scale or exaggerate it as a wide lens does I simply stick the zoom on the camera and twirl the dial until it looks ok through the finder (I guess what I am getting at is that -for me- working with a zoom allows me to get lazy, and it is when getting lazy that I make mistakes). With Primes I can "see" how each of my lenses will handle the situation and get, IMO, a more interesting photo. Just because someone is able to shoot great shots using a 35mm camera does not mean he can do the same on 4x5, or vice verca. We all use the gear that we feel most comfortable with and allows us to shoot the images we see. Of course we all have seen great photos on differing formats and cameras. Another former UPI associate of mine has a photo he shot that has been in several LIFE magazines and in one or two of their special books, he shot this photo with a POINT & SHOOT. I would never be fool enough to say the camera is what makes the photo, it is the person behind the lens who makes the image. Having used a Canon system that was composed entirely of zooms, and now using a Leica system that is made of all primes, both M and R I can say that FOR ME the Leica system is more to my tastes. The fit and feel of the equipment is second to none. I missed the prime lenses and am glad to have a bag full of them again, my back is not so glad though! Harrison McClary http://people.delphi.com/hmphoto