Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Wed, 11 Nov 1998, Nigel B. Watson wrote: >If you are shooting for your own recreational use and you don't mind missing some >shots due to lack of AF or a fast motor-drive (R8), then you can stay with Leica and >enjoy the deep-down satisfaction that comes from owning the most expensive, >finely-crafted and arguably optically-superior 35mm SLR system around. If you are >shooting for stock, take a look at what 99% of the most successful pros are using, >and the decision is between Nikon and Canon. Period. Check the statement by Art >Wolfe in this month's Outdoor Photographer regarding the need for AF and >competitiveness in the field. Nigel, Without questioning your success with N**** or C**** equipment, it's important to recognize that there are other approaches to wildlife photography than the one used by "99% of the successful pros". 99% of the photographs I've seen lately made by these successful pros are technically excellent and IMHO are as interesting as pigeon doo-doo. Franz Lanting, for example, has done some excellent work but his recent work using fill flash IMHO is ugly and what I've seen of his wildlife images that I do like doesn't say "AF" to me. I'm not satisfied making photographs that look like those made by 99% of the successful pros and the technique imposed by the popular equipment limits me to images like theirs. I'm not one of the successful pros but this may be because I'm working full time as a mechanical engineer plus being a nearly full-time Mr. Mom rather than due to not using the popular equipment. If I'm lucky I get 10 hours of time in the field per month yet my work has been used in several magazines, field guides, calendars and books. What's more important is that I'm satisfied with my images and I'm enjoying my time in the field not burdened with mega-lenses, mega-tripods and the batteries needed to keep the equipment functioning. And, aside from some home-made straps and cases, the equipment is all Leica. Doug Herr Sacramento