Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/04/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]My Leica D2h broke down during a wedding 2 weeks ago. Only by locking up the mirror and seeing inside did I find out that a shutter blade had got stuck and would not return. Now with past experience I'm guessing if I was using a film camera I could have opened up the back and carefully placed the stuck blade back in it's place. Quick fix for the time being, but I would have been able to keep shooting. Instead a $3000 camera was left useless for the next 4 hrs. I know cameras break down, but that film door in the back used to make it easier to see problems. Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Dory" Subject: Re: [Leica] Re:Bye Bye Mamiya Jeffery, I wouldn't worry about your Mamiya. Shoot what seems to make sense with that format. Mechanical cameras can be fixed if you want to repair it badly enough. Usually there is one or two weak links that can be repaired or replaced. With mechanical, the cost of a forging a new gear or shaft is only going to be three figures. Electronic devices are a completely different matter. Theoretically, you could create a CPU that could be programmed to mimic any circuit board but the cost in mental power and in reverse engineering would be prohibitive. So we get to a throw away cycle, toss the old and in with the new. Currently, that works because the new is generally more capable so there is no loss. But, I would tell you that the look of a 6X7 chrome shot with a Mamiya 7 and the 43mm would be very hard to reproduce by any digital currently. Possibly the new 39 MP back on the new Hassy and a 30 something mm lens. The Xpan is another unique camera that even stitching is hard pressed to mimic. In the end, these are tools that either help or hinder what we collectively want to create. Sometimes digital works, sometimes film works, and sometimes it is F8 and be there. Personnaly, I think that film will have a creative revival as more people quit film and go digital. When something is new looking but reminds you of something you like, then it is going to be reused. Think of the fashion world reinterpreting things every decade or so. Go out, and keep pushing the shutter button, cable release, electronic dohickey, matchbox pinhole cover, or hat over the lens. Don don.dory@gmail.com