RE: [Leica] Erwin Qualifications

["Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" <peterk@lucent.com>]

David,

That is your opinion.  Mine is that if I used a Holga and got a great image,
it would be better than a poor image, albeit sharp, captured with a more
expensive camera.  In other words, if Ansel Adams were using a Holga, his
photos would still be great!  If a Joe Shmoe were using a Leica, he would
not be Alfred Eisenstadt. :-)

Peter K

> ----------
> From: 	David W. Almy[SMTP:dalmy@mindspring.com]
> Reply To: 	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Sent: 	Friday, May 14, 1999 6:09 PM
> To: 	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: 	Re: [Leica] Erwin Qualifications
> 
> "Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" wrote:
> > 
> > This is being said politely, so please do not read any more into this
> than
> > is intended.  I will even add some smiley faces as everyone has taught
> me.
> > :-)
> > 
> > I believe that Alfred Eisenstadt, the legendary LIFE Magazine
> photographer,
> > had indicated that he didn't believe in other people's lens tests.    He
> > tested his own new lenses by using them.  If he liked it, he kept it.
> He
> > succeeded in helping to define photography during this century becuase
> he
> > was busy taking pictures and did not care about what someone else
> thought
> > about his lenses. ;-)
> > 
> > So if one is happy with a lens, use it.  If not, try another.  In the
> end,
> > it is the image, not the resolution that will capture the attention of
> those
> > who see it.  :-)
> 
> 
> Peter,
> 
> A) This (above) has nothing to do with Erwin's qualifications.
> 
> B) Good for Eisenstadt. I'm glad for him and his contributions. Just
> because it was good for him, however, doesn't mean it was right for
> everyone. This is not THE method I choose to use to select lenses.
> 
> C) If lens performance has no bearing on the image, then we all should
> be using Holgas and concentrating only on the image. But photography is
> a technical as well as aesthetic exercise. The materials and processes
> we employ profoundly effect the images we capture. This cause and effect
> is not subtle. Until such time as all of our materials and processes
> perform equally, I will continue to seek to advance both my technical
> and aesthetic advantage. This involves the accumulation of a scientific
> consensus concerning the performance of lenses, of which Erwin's views
> are a part. His reports are not gospel, but they are generated by a fine
> mind whose scientific results often mirror my own practical, real-world
> experience.
> 
> Erwin helps. This is his contribution. It is substantial and
> appreciated. 
> 
> David W. Almy
> Annapolis
> Leica photos online at
> http://www.nasm.edu/GALLERIES/GAL104/bwings/bwswph.html
>