Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/06/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Harrison McClary wrote: <<I used gaffer tape to fasten the lens securely to the camera and got some good shots. One ran on the front page and one sports front of our paper. Talk about creative--a gaffer tape R6!!!>>>>>> Harrison my man, the world is held together with gaffer tape! Key question, did anyone get a picture of you with it taped up? These are the pictures you need when you're 90 and doing a book about the fun times of Harrison McClary. You have this great photo of a jury-rigged gaffer taped Leica with a "Tamron" (gag) lens! I'm just kidding, it's not a bad lens at all and better it, than none at all! But that's what imagination is all about in keeping your gear going that I believe many amateurs miss, rather than taping it all together and keep right on shooting and who cares what it looks like, it works! <<One thing to teach you what is essential and what is not is to cover a PGA tournament. Just try walking a golf course about 5 times in one day carrying a lot of stuff you never get out of your bag and you will QUICKLY lighten up your load.>>>>>>> I try not to carry anymore than the assignment will demand and a more important thing,"Never carry more equipment than you can run with!" I see these young guys so loaded down with with huge equipment bags and they never take anything out of them and only use the one camera - flash they have in their hands. On occasion I have asked, "Why carry all your stuff when you are only using the same camera all the time?" "Just in case!" is the usual response. Like, just in case what? The world is coming to an end? Better you have one well working camera and 100 rolls of film! :) <<<I also believe you should carry extra bodies, esp. when someone is paying you to be there.>>>>>>> OUCH! :) I did have an extra body, but my Leica lens wouldn't fit on the Canon and I didn't have a roll of gaffer tape. :) <<Boy Ted I think this is true of any major sporting event. I have not covered an Olympics yet, but I have been at several World Series, Superbowls, PGA golf tourneys, and NCAA Basket and footbaall title games and there is always someone who has equipment problems. >>> Absolutely! And it is essential that you build friendships with other guys and gals earning their keep just like you, simply because that's just a nice way to be. But even more important that they may save your ass if something crashes on you, just when you need your cameras most! <<<That is one thing about photogs if you handle yourself in a professional manner and are easy going (at least easy going for newsies) then others will lend a hand when you need it>>>>>> You bet! What you give when least expected, comes back ten fold just when you need it the most! We may push and shove during the heat of picture battle, but when that moment is over, it's back to women, cameras and where the good places are to eat, in that order! :) <<<And as you said you can see someone only once every few years but you always go out for a beer or whatever as soon a you get a chance.>>>> One thing that has come from CompuServe / Internet is that we now don't wait 3-4 years before we converse. Now we are back and forth right around the world and it's a great thing about photography, we all use picture taking machines and light sensitive material and it builds great friendships. The LUG for an example in how it draws so many diverse folks using Leica cameras together giving us new friendships and experiences we wouldn't otherwise enjoy. see ya! ted Victoria, Canada http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant