Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Interesting thought, but I fear there is no "we" to talk about in such broad terms. Each of us has different reasons for using Leicas, and each of us probably has a different set of likes and dislikes about the equipment, and a different set of things it allows us to do or prevents us from doing. For every way in which a Leica M is hard to use in comparison to a Nikanoltax, there is an offsetting benefit. John mentioned the directness of view through the VF. There is also the frame lines - I love not only being able to see outside them, but also the fact that they provide a constant reminder that changing focal length doesn't change perspective. While some may hate the bottom loading, I love it - I find it fast and positive (brought home when my new Hexar RF refused to reload a partially used roll due to the curl in the leader). In many ways I find it much easier to take the kinds of pictures I want using a Leica M. I'm always turning off systems in those other cameras (or cursing the fact that I can't). I don't want AF, and have little use for built-in motors - not only are they noisy and busy, the bloody things always want to rewind your film the instant you hit the end of the roll. A visual conceit? To whom - ourselves? It must be, cause nobody but "us" knows or cares what a Leica is. But even then there's not much conceit, at least for me - I recognize my own bad shots no matter what the camera was. Paul - -----Original Message----- From: Cmrausr@aol.com [mailto:Cmrausr@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 10:50 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] OT -fear of change/ how to spell 'lens' [snip] Do we indulge ourselves with outdated, hard to use Leica equipment, and miss out on opportunities for more creative images, because we are afraid that if it is easier, photography as an art and craft is somehow lessened in importance? Is use of Leica equipment a form of visual conceit, a belief that somehow the equipment will provide a certain amount of legitimacy to images that are otherwise useless?