Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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