Re: [Leica] Is the Leica an endangered species?

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

Erwin, you have done it again. In one fell swoop, you have put the LUG
completely back on track and put our minds to work. I will indeed post a
response (maybe several) to your post, but it will take time. Thanks Erwin.
This is indeed what we should be thinking about.

Jim

At 01:06 PM 6/21/98 +0200, you wrote:
>Some statistics make for interesting reflections.
>The photographic industry has consumed more silver this year than last
>year. The first positive conclusion might be: silver holds off the digital
>threat. But then it dawns: the mass market for silver is colour print area
>and here indeed we note higher figures. Black and white and Transparancy
>just hold or are slipping.
>The digital camera still and righly so is seen as a computer peripheral and
>has limited use and limited appeal. The essential advantage of silver based
>materials over the digital print is the image depth. Look at a carefully
>printed fiberbased paper and compare it with a very good  digital print:
>the last one lacks depth and substance.
>APS now has 25% of the compact market and ever optimistic Fuji declares the
>135 format dead within 4 years.
>Truth of the matter is that digital pictures and APS will carve away
>substantial portions of the 135 domain.
>We also see a surging interest in old pictures and a lively trade in second
>hand  mechanical "classics".
>
>What relevance has this listing for Leica cameras and its use.
>
>The Leica has optics whose qualities are second to none and at this very
>moment are so evolved that a solid technique is needed to exploit these
>qualities. Shooting objects  with fill-in flash on colour neg film is not
>the best way to make these optical qualities shine.
>The Leica also has picture taking qualities that define that style of
>photography that is sometimes referred to as the art of the snapshot. Here
>we need a keen eye on composition and a strong relation with our subjects
>in order to rise above the commonplace.
>
>The Leica then is an instrument, a tool and as every tool needs to be used
>in those circomstancs for which the tool has been designed. It is
>indicative of most LUG discussions that they are tool-oriented (which lens
>is best, which film etc). Quite often it has been stated (with a large part
>of merit) that in many picture taking situations the differences between
>Zeiss and Canon are small compared to Leica. That is true. There is a large
>intersection of photographic technique and subjects where the differences
>do not count.
>
>So why is the Leica in danger? The traditional scope of 35mm photography
>will shrink (se above APS and digital). But within this contracted domain
>the discerning characteristics of Leica photography  will be progressively
>blurred unless the Leica users do what all businesses do today: reflect on
>basic qualities and exploit the core of their craft and expertise.
>
>Oddmund used a certain style of street photographuy and noted that a simple
>compact camera was all he needed and so stopped using the Leica (so he told
>us). That is a sensible act. If the tool is not correct for the job, than
>change the tool.
>
>The LUG may not be representative of the Leica users world wide. Still this
>group consists of highly loyal and dedicated Leica users.
>
>The discussion I would like to start would concentrate on what this group
>(especially the large silent majority) thinks are the real virtues of Leica
>photography and how or in what way Leica pictures are different from

>others. Most interesting however would be a discussion of technique. What
>techniques do Leica users prefer to get that most ephemeral of qualities:
>Leica quality.
>OR the other way around: what techniques should we use to get this quality.
>I for one never use film speeds above 100ISO, always Transparancy and B&W
>(zone system, yes) and as soon as the shutter speed drops below 1/125 a
>tripod is a must. If in low light situations and when circomstances demand
>handheld shooting  I make at least 10 identical pictures (every one of them
>refocussed) to ensue exactt focus and control trembling hands.I always try
>to find a light direction that enhances contours and texture detail. Never
>use an aperture smaller than f/8.0 and preferably between 2,8 and 4. Etc
>
>Erwin.
>