Whose Life Is It? (Was: ASPH vs Aspheric)

[Chuck Warman <cwarman@sol.wf.net>]

Fred Ward wrote:

___________SNIPPOLA___________________

>I feel that Leicas are just like all other
>cameras... made to be used, and to make photographs. Not to cuddle,
>coddle, and look at without touching. I really wonder about dreaming of
>owning a camera without a mark on it. My God, do you feel the same way
>about your automobile, your stereo, your TV, your new shoes?

I am an avid fly fisherman, though my skills are pedestrian. For several 
years, I saved my pennies so that I could purchase a certain bamboo fly rod 
that cost $800. Last year I bought it. My third day onstream with my new 
rod, a man who had been watching me fish for awhile, stopped me when I came 
to the bank and berated me because my fly-casting skills "did not justify" 
my owning such a fine rod. Fred's post smacks of this same elitism.

How good a fisherman do I need to be to justify owning a bmboo rod? How 
good a driver, to justify a Porsche? How high up the corporate ladder to 
justify a Rolex? (No problem, I can afford none of these trinkets!). How 
good a photographer to justify a Leica?

If I could afford it, I would risk Fred's wrath by purchasing a complete M 
system; he would undoubtedly sneer at the quality of my work, but I would 
have the sheer joy of doing the very best I can with the very best 
equipment I can afford.  Is that so wrong? Until that day, my little CLE 
will have to do. Probably it is more than I "deserve," at that; I think 
I'll trade it for a Ricoh.

Chuck



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