Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/01

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica M GRIP / Tom's winder
From: Carl Socolow <csocolow@microserve.net>
Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 12:07:36 -0500

AJSymi@aol.com wrote:
> 
SNIP

> And perhaps, a new technique (for street
> photography) I've been considering; hang the M6 and winder around my neck
> (bottom of the camera secured with a body strap to prevent flopping) with the
> 24mm lens attached and a long cable release threaded through my sleeve to my
> hand.  With the exposure and focus pre-set, just fire away!!  How's that for
> being unobtrusive??  Virtually invisible!!!
> 
> Cheers,
> Arturo

Arturo,

The Rapidwinder is very convenient and much quieter than the winder. If
you're going to practice your stealth technique I can guarantee you
don't need all the paraphenalia. It will still be noisy. Also, using the
Rapidwinder you won't have to remove the camera from your eye.

Put on your flak jacket, your stealth approach is bound to be rebuked by
Mr. Grant who is a devout advocate of the viewfinder to the eye. I'm
sure he will explain his rationale and philosophy about involvement with
the subject and you have no business taking photos if you're not an
active participant instead of stealing images.

Finally, I'll add that you'd be amazed how stealthy you can be if you
practise (and I mean practise) being invisible. Cartier-Bresson was a
master at it and it explains much of his success. I've found that I can
stand in front of someone and photograph them withouth them being aware
of it when I'm really in a good invisible mindset. So much of good
technique is mental.

Carl Socolow