Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi, Bud, and good for you. It's always the 'serious amateur' that gets offended by this line of communication. Nowhere did I say that the serious amateur was "less knowledgeable" or "less talented". On the contrary, many of the pros are SERIOUSLY lacking most ANY knowledge of the craft. Yes, the guy shooting tourists is a pro. He depends on his Nikkormat for his income (supposedly). I assume from your post that you're not a pro. If your camera fails, you're out NOTHING except repair costs, which I assume you can afford (not many of the workin' folk could afford Contax or LTM as amateurs in the fifties-- by definition you were or are in a top income group) THAT'S ALL I SAID. I, for example, do not have an MA or MFA in photography. I have a bachelor's degree in PJ -- ONLY! However, I'd put your OR my knowledge up against ANY terminally degreed photo faculty member in the my state. I am only a staffer and an adjunct faculty member, AND a "serious" amateur (at this time). That does not belittle your or my self-education. I didn't mean any offense, but I still stand by my post as written. The pros on this group have to work under conditions that you (we) serious amateurs do not encounter, even by choice. Certainly they want their cameras and lenses to survive -- but the picture (or their life, in some cases) comes first. Walt On Thu, 26 Nov 1998 budcook@ibm.net wrote: > I'd like to point out that a lot of folks on the LUG might be a bit weary > of this *just an amateur* syndrome. By Walt's criteria, the guy shooting > tourists on a cruise ship with a battered old Nikkormat is a Professional > but I'm just an amateur. > > I like to think of myself as an enthusiast who has learned a bit about his > hobby after spending decades and a lot of my income on it. > > Let me remind people that computer hackers can be every bit as knowledgeable > about computer programming as most Comp Sci majors and it was audio > enthusiasts who had the ears to tell the so-called professionals that early > digital sucked. > > I concentrate only on slides for projection in my trusty Prodovit. I've > used camera systems starting with a Contax IIa, through LTM, Rollei, Nikon > F, Leica M, Leicaflexes and others. I've used all kinds of film including > b/w, color negative and color reversal. Through it all I keep coming back > to the classics...M3, SL, SL/2 and Kodachrome. > > The only person I have to satisfy is myself and I'm still trying to do it. > > I know it won't do much good but I'm glad I finally got this off my chest. > > Bud > > > > > >