Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]After some more thought on the subject, i.e. a Leitz machine for a ten year old, why not. I'm a second generation Rollei and Leica user. My parents let me use their cameras when I was eight/nine years old and I started processing and printing when I was thirteen. I don't think I would had the sensibility to appreciate what one could do with this incredible gear hadn't I been exposed to it so early. While in college I had a part time job at a rental darkroom in Westwood, CA, it was called Artcraft. From what I saw, I'm firmly convinced that the equipment a novice uses affects their will to go on or to quit. The people that came in with their negs from exactas, minoltas, or brand X did far worse than the people that came with negs made with Leitz, Rolleis, etc. And yes, many came with their cameras with them to print. So we had a pretty good idea what our customers were printing with. I think the ability to produce a good print starts and ends with the quality of instruments one has at their disposal. To this day more than twenty years later I'm still in contact with some of them. Those that stuck with it had the best gear they could get right from the beginning. Besides, the value is in what you can do with it, not in how much it cost. Slobodan Dimitrov Amilcar de Oliveira wrote: > May I suggest that for a 10 year old, a used Durst M301 would be appropriate? 35mm > only, choice of condenser or dichroic head, well-made, all-metal except for knobs and > cheap, an advantage important in the present case, that of a youngster that may choose > digital after all. > > Amilcar > > S Dimitrov wrote: > > > There, you're quite right. > > > > Slobodan > > > > Mike Johnston wrote: > > > > > > While My V35 might not be the "best" enlarger it still makes my darkroom feel > > > > complete. The contrast and specular highlights I get , with what are virtually > > > > straight prints, I've never been able to replicate with other maker's > > > > products. > > > > I've printed with literally everything available and still find the Leitz > > > > better. > > > > Frankly, I wish they made a 4x5 enlarger, that way I wouldn't have my space > > > > cluttered with my two other machines. > > > > > > Everyone should use whichever enlarger they like best. I honestly do not, > > > however, feel that a V35 is a sensible choice in any respect for a > > > 10-year-old beginner!! > > > > > > --Mike