[Leica] Re:Bye Bye Mamiya now camera repairs

[leicachris at worldnet.att.net (Christopher Williams)]

My Leica D2h broke down during a wedding 2 weeks ago. Only by locking up the
mirror and seeing inside did I find out that a shutter blade had got stuck
and would not return.

Now with past experience I'm guessing if I was using a film camera I could
have opened up the back and carefully placed the stuck blade back in it's
place. Quick fix for the time being, but I would have been able to keep
shooting. Instead a $3000 camera was left useless for the next 4 hrs.

I know cameras break down, but that film door in the back used to make it
easier to see problems.

Chris


----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Dory"
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re:Bye Bye Mamiya


Jeffery,
I wouldn't worry about your Mamiya.  Shoot what seems to make sense with
that format.  Mechanical cameras can be fixed if you want to repair it badly
enough.  Usually there is one or two weak links that can be repaired or
replaced.  With mechanical, the cost of a forging a new gear or shaft is
only going to be three figures.  Electronic devices are a completely
different matter.  Theoretically, you could create a CPU that could be
programmed to mimic any circuit board but the cost in mental power and in
reverse engineering would be prohibitive.  So we get to a throw away cycle,
toss the old and in with the new.

Currently, that works because the new is generally more capable so there is
no loss.  But, I would tell you that the look of a 6X7 chrome shot with a
Mamiya 7 and the 43mm would be very hard to reproduce by any digital
currently.  Possibly the new 39 MP back on the new Hassy and a 30 something
mm lens.  The Xpan is another unique camera that even stitching is hard
pressed to mimic.

In the end, these are tools that either help or hinder what we collectively
want to create.  Sometimes digital works, sometimes film works, and
sometimes it is F8 and be there.

Personnaly, I think that film will have a creative revival as more people
quit film and go digital.  When something is new looking but reminds you of
something you like, then it is going to be reused.  Think of the fashion
world reinterpreting things every decade or so.

Go out, and keep pushing the shutter button, cable release, electronic
dohickey, matchbox pinhole cover, or hat over the lens.

Don
don.dory@gmail.com