Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In response to Tony (TonynyX44@aol.com)'s post, I'd like to enclose the rest of Paul Ross's article "J'accuse Leica" (http://www.caliach.com/paulr/writing/jaccuseleica.html), with apologies to Paul Ross. - - Phong The rest of the story: "So why use Leicas? Because in some ways they are unbeatable. If you want to be discreet a little cunning allows you to sling the body under your armpit and hide the lens in your hand. "What me a photographer? Not me guv." The shutter is so quiet you can photograph people without disturbing their concentration. Or being noticed. Poor light is no restriction. As there is no mirror to flap up and down the only camera shake you have is all your own. With a 35mm lens you have a camera that can shoot discreetly at 1/4 sec at f1.4. Put TMAX 3200 in there and if you can see it, you can photograph it. Rangefinder focusing is slow compared with a SLR but this can introduce a different, more thoughtful pace to the proceedings. Leicas are not to be hurried, nor are their pictures. Perhaps it is because they are so cranky that once you get used to the Leica they do cast an powerful spell. Whenever I pick one up I find the sound and feel a welcome change from the zip-zip of the modern motor drive. The M6 always seduces me with the shy click of its shutter and a film advance that has the timbre of tearing silk. I suppose that if all my equipment was lost, stolen or had fallen apart then the last piece of gear that I would want to hang on to would be my battered M6, 35mm f1.4 and a pocket full of film. Call it my desert island luxury. It's a good camera. Good. But great? No. "