RE: [Leica] what lens? and a PhotoRelief report

[Paul Chefurka <Paul_Chefurka@pmc-sierra.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: B. D. Colen [mailto:bdcolen@earthlink.net]
> 
> But I'm puzzled. Why does seeing Nikon "kits" make one decide 
> to start using a Nikon?

It's the same thing that made me want to buy a Noctilux after I met Ted
Grant at the MSF (Doctors Without Borders) photo auction benefit called
PhotoRelief last night.  There's something about seeing a tool in the hands
of someone whose work you respect that makes the little voice start saying
"You know, maybe if you used that tool..."

BTW, the benefit featured a lot of the kind of photographs I admire most.
Not all were technically terrific but every shot told a story that made you
stop, think and feel.  Some were uplifting, some wer amusing, some were
horrifying and some made you want to break down and cry.  I was disappointed
that the turnout was so poor, despite wide media coverage here in Ottawa.
In spite of that, they raised over $10,000 for the organization.

An organizer commented to Ted that the reason the money was so low was that
there were too many photographers there.  The truth of her comment was borne
out as I was viewing the prints on the walls - there were three of us in a
row with Leicas of various ages over our shoulders.  It seems we all want to
see each other's work but we'd rather hang our own work on our walls :-/

The pictures also made it abundantly clear that it doesn't matter a fig what
camera you use, or whether your lens is particularly sharp.  If your eye is
sharp, your vision clear and you have something to say, then camera brands
take a distant back seat.  It was a bit embarassing, frankly, to think of
the time and energy I spend worrying about what I'll shoot pictures with,
rather than what I'll shoot pictures of.

Greg Locke, if you read this, I'm sorry I missed you.. I know you were there
- - I checked the sign-in list.  I then went around reading name-tags for the
next hour, but never saw you.  I thought I'd have more luck when I
remembered that the program included photos of all the contributors.
Unfortunately, the pics were 2x3 cm with a coarse half-tone screen, and
yours was a full length shot >:-(  Oh well, next time.

MSF is a heck of an organization.  I'd encourage people to support it any
way they can.

Paul Chefurka