Re: [Leica] WAS: I've seen the Bokeh! NOW: WHY LEICA?

[InfinityDT@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/1/99 10:00:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
tedgrant@islandnet.com writes:

<< Generally others have  reasons for technical results, bokeh, sharpness,
 contrast and others. Where in my case (many of you know I've never been
 much on the technical stuff) and more on results of the content.
 
 I wanted Leica because it was the best and my idols, Esie, Cartier Bresson,
 Capa and others of the '40's and early '50's used them. Therefore, if I
 used Leica my pictures would be great like theirs. How naive we are before
 we learn that it is the person holding the camera that makes greatness, as
 well as being in the right place at the right time. And certainly ones
 re-action time to the moment. >>

Great point.  I had to laugh recently when someone posted how awful the 
Nikkor 85 f2 lens is, because Galen Rowell (one of *my* idols) has shot a 
huge proportion of his most notable and successful work with that very lens.  
I've seen articles he's written lately where he mentions using the FM-10 and 
28-80 lens (it has a *plastic lensmount*!) on mountain climbs because of its 
light weight.  Truly, the best equipment in the quantifiable, technical sense 
is 100% useless if you can't get the shot with it: if you can't afford it, or 
carry it, or focus it, or see the viewfinder through your glasses, or the 
body meant to hold those ultimate optics is frequently in the repair shop for 
weeks at a time; or, if it just doesn't "feel right" in your hands.    I came 
to the end of my rope trying to lug an SLR system around the world and 
needing to use a full-size tripod and mirror-lock to get the results I want.  
P&S's (including the G2 with its lack of DOF scales) won't do it.  For me the 
Leica M has been my salvation because it's small and light and I can set all 
the controls myself and, oh yes, the lenses are pretty sharp.  Since I've 
returned to the M my love of photography has been rejuvenated, so my 
photography has gotten better.  

DT