Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/07

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Ramblings
From: "Jeff S" <segawa@netone.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 20:07:43 -0700

Hi Dave.
Obviously, bracketing has it's value, and so does making duplicate images,
or trying out variations on a theme, while on-site. But the Zone System
brought a degree of predictability to photography, and to me, a person
shouldn't need to bracket in order to get something useable, but rather, to
explore different, yet equally valid, interpretations of a scene. Yes, it
helps to have a spot meter! Most in-camera meters are not designed to allow
for easy and precise measurement of smallish picture elements, hence, the
"need" to bracket a bit more than would be ideal. (I'll still buy myself an
M6 sometime, though)

More thoughtful use of film isn't a concept that's likely to take the
photographic world by storm just yet, but even one person's a start :-)

Regarding those much talked-about tactile and aesthetic qualities of the
hardware: I find them very nice overall! (I've owned an M4-2, late M3 and
currently, an M4) Subjective smoothness is sometimes overrated as an
indicator of quality, though--some of the smoothest, quietest geartrains
rely on brass and nylon gears and grease (not inherently bad), whereas cut
steel gears and ball bearings result in a considerably different feel.

Jeff

- -----Original Message-----
From: Dave Munroe <dmunroe@vcd.hp.com>
>A great article, Jeff, spot-on!
>> To Bracket Or Not To Bracket?
>> Film is cheap--or is it? When total costs, including environmental
>> ones, are taken into account, the issue becomes thornier.
>
>Considering that at least 99% of film being used and processed today
>is in the point-and-shoot and disposable camera market, any restraint
>by amateurs and professionals in regard to bracketing is a very, very
>small percentage of overall film use