Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 3:15 PM -0500 3/17/04, Sam wrote:
>Dan, I cannot agree with you more than if I wrote your words. I've
>used Minolta cameras off-and-on since the XG-M. I defy anyone to
>tell which lens took which slide on a light table. I have no plans
>on going digital in the near future, but as the talk is mostly
>digital these days it's hard not to become involved. As I hear talk
>about this or that camera a voice runs almost continually through my
>mind saying, "Minolta has that" or "Minolta did it first" or
>"Minolta does it cheaper" or "Minolta does it better." I've never
>heard one good reason not to use a Minolta based on the product
>itself. Its glass is as good as any. No, they do not use batteries
>more than other digitals. There might be individual models that ate
>batteries more than is normal, but that can be said for every camera
>maker. Minolta is the most deserved but ignored camera maker on the
>planet because its name is not Nikon, or, more recently, Canon. From
>the wonderful XK to the innovative auto focus Maxxum 7000 to the
>breathtaking Maxxum 9, their cameras have always been top rank. The
>only reason Milolta has not broken the "professional" camera barrier
>is becasue photographers are gutless winnies who follow the pack
>more then lemmings. They have got to be the most fearful people on
>earth. If they find the wherewithall to break out of their shaking
>shells they will find the new Konica Minolta line to be among the
>best in the world.
>
>I say this with the greatest respect for the talents of the
>professional photographers here, if not their courage to be
>innovative.
>
>Sam S
That has got to be one of the biggest loads of rubbish posted here lately!
The reason that Minolta has not been one of the main 'professional'
cameras (and I put that in quotes as professional in this context
means photojournalism and sports only) is that the _SYSTEM_ has been
lacking. They had the XK for a while, but the lens selection and
depth of system accessories at any one time has always been well
below that of Nikon and Canon.
If the cameras and lenses offered by Minolta meet your needs, fine.
Go for it. It is as professional as any other system in that regard.
However, the Minolta system never met my needs, and therefore I never
considered Minolta. Minolta never had the lenses I needed or wanted,
while Nikon and lately Canon, did.
Bad mouthing professionals without understanding the basics is not cool.
--
* Henning J. Wulff
/|\ Wulff Photography & Design
/###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com
|[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com
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