Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Simon, You make a good point. When the situation calls for AF/AEverything and there is positively no other way to get the shot otherwise, go for it. BUT someone here a few days ago, mentioned the dumbing down of Photography in the last 20 years. Now, I'm just a kid 33 years of age and have only been 'shooting for dollars' about 15 of those years, but I agree that all of these 'modern conveniences' made available to practitioners of our Craft are dumbing us down over all. As I said above, if you need the AF/AE by all means use it, but I think it important to the integrity of the professional, that we as photographers know how to function without the technologies assistance. (Just as important as knowing how to prepare a 13 column report for your boss by hand if the PC gets attacked by the next I L0VE Y0U virus. To borrow on your example.) We need to have the basics down on how to manipulate light using our choices of light source, focal length, aperture, shutter speed, film, composition and how these effect the exposure onto the film in our light tight boxes. More importantly we need to practice these skills regularly in order for them to remain second nature for us. If we can have an AF/AE camera for when we need it and still maintain our competency of these skills, by all means we are worth every penny we can get. I can't of course speak for all photographers, but personally, I know that I am lazy enough that IF I had all of the amenities of these poly-carbonate, eye movement focused, gyro-stabilised, 3D Matrix metered, technocameras at my disposal, I would shortly come to find that EVERY situation required their use, (as most of us have done with now having a light meter in our cameras.) Eventually I would no longer be able to create photographs without their "assistance." In this respect, I don't think that I'm all that much MORE lazy than the average "pro." It is not my intent to sound a like a purist snob, (if it works for you, do it) but if I allowed myself to rely on one of these cameras to this extent, I would no longer consider myself a photographer, I would consider myself simply a camera operator. I recently needed a change from the SLRs that I've always used. I wanted the best quality photographic equipment that I could afford and still maintain my own skills (that I will likely never perfect though I continue to try) so, I started looking. The Leica (back on topic!) marketing wonks sold ME when they put into words the philosophy that I've always sought in a camera "Technical gadgetry is purposely limited to those features that truly contribute towards creating a better picture. With the Leica...it is always the photographer who controls the medium and not vice versa." After reading that, it was only a matter of saving my pennies. You might have a wider angle (with greater DOF) and I might even be a bit out of focus, but that's the view from my finder. ;-) Carpe Lumen, Michael At 05:17 PM 5/14/00 -0700, Simon Lamb wrote: >Subject: Re: [Leica] Thanks!! OT Nikon F5 >This whole issue about manual vs auto is >like saying that, even though I have a PC with Excel on it I would rather >use an >abacus. The results may be the same, the effort greater and perhaps more >rewarding, the process of learning one of awakening, but if your boss >wants the >year end profit and loss statement in one hour, forget it - use the PC! Right >tool for the right job, given the parameters for success. > >Simon