Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/09/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I PREFER to shoot my M4, however for work, no one wants film. The media these days is about speed. The Leica used to be one of the fastest, and best systems for general photojournalism. If I could use my 50 Summicron DR on a full framed digital M body with all functions, I would go completely that way. Keep the M4 as a backup. Digital has shortened the time from event to news consumer from hours to mere minutes. It's the way that news is going these days. With the quality of digital capture lately, I almost feel cheated by shooting 35mm film. I use my M4 these days as a means to get back to MAKING the photograph what I want, not just snapping away as I do with my Canon digital. If I'm seriously shooting film though, I use my 6x6 Bronica. In a nutshell, production cost and time is what has sent the Leicas to the hobby market. Don't get me wrong, I still swear by black & white film and it's incredible latitude, ability to capture detail in the highlights and shadows that digital can't yet, but again I'm only using that to create my own art, not news. Like this one: http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/PForrest/SBstreetE.jpg Phil -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+photo.forrest=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+photo.forrest=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Lottermoser George Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 11:12 AM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Professional Leica Users? On Sep 20, 2006, at 5:06 AM, bernardo feio wrote: > How many of us "leica users" are professional photographers (and > live from taking pictures) use Leica M equipment for work? Roughly 50% of my income is generated as a photographer. The other half is generated as a graphic designer using my photography in expanded applications and part time teaching of same. Of that 50% photo chunk, about a third is special event work/ editorial, and 2/3 commercial work. Until the clients began demanding digital workflow, 80% of the editorial/special event work was accomplished with M equipment complemented with R equipment for long lenses and macro. The commercial work was accomplished with medium and large format (except where slides were required). In those times I never went anywhere without an M. Now I never go anywhere without either 35 or 50 lux on one of the canon bodies. > And from those that are professional and don't use M equipment how > many will start using the M8? > In these days a Leica M is just a very expensive "toy" or is a tool? If and when I can afford an M8 I will return to it as my main always with me camera; and it will become the editorial/special event tool of choice, again complemented with SLRs for their long lens and macro capablilities. > In Portugal most of the professional photojournalists that I know > use Canon. I firmly believe that the M8 will find its way back onto the photojournalist's shoulder for the majority of the the wide through normal lens work. Obviously the sports guys with the 300 -600s on monopods excepted. Could be wrong - if they've become addicted to the auto focus thing - which I simply don't enjoy at all. Regards, George Lottermoser george@imagist.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information