Re: [Leica] LUG: automation vs. the brain

["Steve LeHuray" <icommag@toad.net>]

>> With my M6, all the energy that I put
>> into thinking about the whiz-bang camera goes into thinking about
>> the image.
>
> My temptation toward a whiz-bang camera (I have yet to succumb, but as Steve
> L. recently pointed out, I mull endlessly over buying decisions) has been
> precisely for this reason: if the automation works, then it means I can
> concentrate exclusively on the subject and composition, and not waste any
> time on setting the focus or exposure.  That appeals to me, but the "if"
> here is a big one.  And if there isn't confidence that the equipment will do
> those things competently, it's a worse distraction than doing it myself.
>
> Dan
>
>

Sorry Dan, but it is true, you had me convinced after at least 6 months of
your posts that you would be coming away from the last Leica Day at Penn
Camera with a R8 system. Oh well.

As for the above whiz-bang camera thread, I firmly believe in keeping it
simple and use the best tools for the job at hand. For example for most of
my magazine work I use a fairly simple Nikon F3HP w/motor drive and prime
lenses from 19mm to 105mm. 99% of the time I use the aperture priority mode
because that frees me up to think about the composition of what i am about
to photograph. I have yet to see any evidence that the advanced technology
of cameras like the Nikon F5, Canon or Leica R8 with all the advanced
program modes are actually going to give me better results.

As far as Leica Ms go, as y'all know, I amuse myself by using the Ms for my
humble B&W street photography and for years have used M2/M3s and a hand
light meter. Recently I bought two new M6TTLs and have found the advanced
technology in-camera meter to be a hindrance rather than a help. With street
photography you need to make decisions and react quickly to rapidly changing
scenes. With the M6TTL in addition to getting the composition and focus
right you have to futz around getting those 3 annoying red diodes all lit
up. OK you got two of them lit, close enough. Yeah probably within a stop or
so. But it nags at me knowing that 2 diodes were lit, not 3. And it is
effecting how I go out and shoot my street photography. The M6 TTL
technology is actually keeping me from getting the shots I want.

So after about six weeks and about fifty rolls of SP with the M6s i have
gone back to the M2/3 combination and it is like a dark cloud has been
lifted. I take a reading with the hand meter, make the setting and that's
that until there is a change of light and in ten seconds or less I have the
new setting.

Tomorrow morning I will be at National Geographic Television shooting
something for the magazine (mine not NG) and knowing in advance what I am
shooting I will be keeping it simple; The F3HP w/SB28, 19,24,28 & 50mm
lenses and two Ms in the bag where they will probably stay because the F3 is
the right tool for the job at hand.

sl