Re: [Leica] Leica-M philosophy? (long)

[DonjR43198@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/3/00 1:56:58 PM Central Standard Time, 
hans.pahlen@mark.komvux.se writes:

<< 
I read your comments with interest and in bold print added some of my own 
thoughts.  Don Rorschach

 The Direct Look on the motive
 
 When you look in the Leica finder, you will look straight through the 
camera. The M3 with a finder enlargement of almost 1x is the king in this 
respect. It is possible to see the motives even with both eyes open. You will 
see a finder frame that in a way "hangs in the air" around the motive. But 
the M3 has no frames for shorter lenses than 50 mm. The other M-models have 
less finder enlargement in order to make room for the 35 and 28 mm finder 
frames. This type of finder gives almost as good view as the M3. With some 
training, you can look with both eyes at least some times, to be in control 
of what is happening beside you. Most people will look through the finder 
with their right eye, and this has also 
  another advantage: -You will not be hiding your face behind a Leica.
 It is no coincidence, that people often relax in front of a small and quiet 
Leica, that shows the photographer as another human being, compared to when 
they are photographed by a black AF-monster with whining motors and flash, 
and 
  a photographer with no face.
 
 The Fast Reaction
 
 The Leica has no mirror. The shutter will travel instantly, as you press the 
shutter. It is easier to photograph a movement in the exact moment with a 
Leica M, compared to using a SLR with a folding mirror.  (HANS, AS I RECALL, 
THE M-6 SHUTTER OPERATES FROM PUSH OF SHUTTER RELEASE TO FINISH OF PICTURE IN 
ABOUT 1/10TH THE TIME OF AN SLR CAMERA.)
 
 The Silence
 
 An ornithologist would maybe describe the shutter sound as a silent "pleck" 
for the short times, a gradually longer "pli-kleck" for times between 1/60 
and 1/8 second and a low pitched "pli-buzz-kleck" for the longest shutter 
times. This is all you can hear, except for the photographer saying "Got it" 
and a low sound from the winding of film. The Leica is quiet. 
  The Leica does not DISTURB YOUR SUBJECT WITH A beep, CRASH AND BANG THAT 
ACCOMPANIES THE RELEASE OF AN SLR SHUTTER.
 
 The Finder Image
 
 The finder in the Leica is very bright and has finder frames for different 
lenses. The finder has two special advantages:
 1) It also shows the subjects beside the finder frame, so that you can see 
what is entering into you picture.
 2) When you use flash, you will see in the finder how the light from the 
flash falls on your subject.
 3) WHEN YOU USE FLASH, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHETHER THE SUBJECTS' EYES 
WERE OPEN OR CLOSED AT THE EXACT MOMENT THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN.
 
 The Rangefinder
 The rangefinder is exceptionally accurate. If the focus is set on a object 
at the distance of 1 meter, and then, you lean maybe one cm back or forward, 
the rangefinder will show your movement. No SLR camera will manage this with 
  a 50 mm or shorter lens.
 
 How to Use the Leica
 You will use your Leica as a combined photographic tool and something to 
enjoy.  In many situations (lots of movement, photographing people, low 
light, places where you must be quiet) the Leica is outstanding. The silence 
of the mechanism and that unique "I got that picture-feel" is great reward. 
And most important: -Leica pictures will often be very good!
 
 The Price
 The price for Leica equipment is often debated. Well, I say, if you feel 
that a M6 with a Summicron 35 or 50 would make your life richer, let it do 
it! You will always be able to give up something else. If you take care of 
your Leica, it will be just as nice 10 or 20 years later. And you have taken 
a lot of nice pictures during the tim >>