Re: [Leica] Come on guys

["John Poirier" <MJ.Patterson@nt.sympatico.ca>]

Henning wrote:

>Leicas were used to document social and political conditions (as were
>Contaxes) because they were available and it was possible. Now lots of
>Nikons and Canons are used because they are available and resposive and
>more affordable. Now we can also easily take pictures of sports and news
>events far away, because now we have 600/4 AF lenses. This is what now
>makes cameras famous. Leicas happened to be the best tool available for a
>certain period. They have no further connection with politics or social
>change, and due to their small numbers, are now a lot less relevant.

I think Henning is correct about the political relevance of Leicas in the
sense that they, like any other cameras, are tools that can be turned to a
number of purposes.  I imagine  there are some on the list who would say
that certain Leicas are still the best tools for some applications.

The mind of the photographer is a lot more important than the brand name of
the camera being used.   The emotional association of pieces of machinery-
Leica cameras- with grand social causes is really nothing but a weird piece
of consumerism.  It is the photographers and the people they have portrayed
who matter.

I think Oddmund's political postings are probably prompted by a somewhat
mischievous desire to stir up Leicaphiles- particularly collectors- whose
involvement with cameras he views as being somewhat narcissistic given the
terrible state the world is in, etc, etc. I think he has a point- but it's
not enough of a point for me to get very excited about it.  I do find his
postings and the responses entertaining, though.

I'm something of a left-winger by American political standards (just on my
way out as a Union Local president, left-of-center political party
activist), but I don't see anything wrong with a bit of harmless narcissism.
I use an old Leica sometimes because I like the visual qualities of the old
lenses and really enjoy a well-made piece of machinery.  I don't feel any
compulsion to make political photographs when using a Leica- it's just a
nice break from the tupperware I shoot with professionally.

It would be fun if Oddmund (or others) could come forward with some ideas
for socially constructive projects in which LUG members might become
involved.

I think, as someone else (Was it that plutocrat Tim Atherton?) said,
photography and politics are very much intertwined.

As a compromise, maybe we could set up something called "The Sayings of
Chairman Oddmund".  I'll contribute the first one- "Peace springs from the
barrel of a Noctilux." :-)

John Poirier
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada