Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/09/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]George Lottermoser offered: Subject: [Leica] a serious question >>Leica User Group. Why do so many active members on the LUG feel the need to denigrate the company the innovation the prototypes the prices the schedule? miseriously, why? I've been on this list quite a while It surprised me when I first joined it's angered me at times along the way tonight it just baffles me Leica has presented us with exciting news Optically mechanically technologically and we're dissing them why?<<<<<<<<<<< George, Good questions all. Actually I may be considered one of the gripers! In my case partially because during my over half century as a working professional photographer, no not a day here and a day next year, but the day to 24 hour every day newspaper, magazine, eventually full time 365 day documentary photojournalist and book author. My Leica's have been the mainstay of my career and successful life as a photojournalist! I moved with the improvements because each gave me another edge to fight the competition. I lived breathed and damn near died with and or for my Leica's on a few occasions to get the Leica captured moments. I've lived through their economic up's and downs, at times with concerned anxieties as I see those posted today. And without any hope of our gut wrenching feelings ever being heard at the boardroom table! You read the Leica releases and announcements like the holy book for new revelations and promises, you become as a child euphoric with excitement to garner this new camera or lens. Your hands become sweaty in anticipation for it's use!!!! Only to find it's just another form of pipe dream! "it will be available in six months or next century!" THE BALLOON GOES POOF IN YOUR FACE! Your magical emotional heart warming connection of your "human to Leica camera" relationship that helped make you a success over the years begins to tarnish. You start to become a non-believer, the devil and hype of digital by others make you weak of flesh and spirit with unhealthy thoughts, so you "try under duress" a new Canon digital! Only to be super surprised and delighted you've entered the new world digital order of photography. Not to forget.. "I CAN USE MY LEICA LENSES WITH IMPUNITY!!!" Meanwhile, Leica offerings are magnificent! Well? An attachable digital back, yes when it works it's above reproach! When it doesn't? We've heard the tales and frustrations of service and mismanagement in handling the DMR servicing. On the other hand many re-badged machines work beautifully. I have a Digilux 2 that works like a dream! Leica sharp images. Now after many months of new Leica digital hype, we have the M8, a wonderful camera.. BUT! It requires add on filters and whatever other little tweaks to make it near perfect for M lovers! Not to forget at a price that either broke the hearts of some because they can't afford them or the pocket books of others. The M8-2 a vast improvement but still in a very high cost range even for professionals. THEN THE BIGGY! PHOTOKINA 2008 THE YEAR OF ????????? Well OK some spectacular camera insides and lenses, but for an elite group of "high income commercial studio photographers" Oh and not to forget.. The long long awaited R10? Hold your breathe everyone? Oh sorry not this year maybe in 2 years? And these kind of messages have gone on for years putting the emotions of the hard core believers up and down like a yoyo on a string! Always waiting for next year's announcement only to learn? You have to wait another two years before it's ready for delivery... "IF?" I could go on with many other reasons for members to bitch, whine and any other wording to voice their disaffection for Leica, unfortunately it's growing! Am I one of those who'll shed tears and or other disorienting emotions if it crashes and burns? NOPE! Why? Well it's the guy or gal holding the camera that creates the picture and if Leica should go the way of the dodo bird so be it, as there are new kids on the block whose gear record some pretty spectacular images! If this makes me a bitcher? So be it, as I feel I've earned a spot to do so after all the faithful years of always working with 3 M's and 3 motor driven SLR's as the assignments dictated. I'm still a believer and extol the Leica quality and where, when and why one should use an M camera. But the yearning for new bits is pretty low to the barrel bottom at the moment! ted