Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/31

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Subject: [Leica] Re: Humbug: Millimeters and milliseconds
From: "Gary Todoroff" <datamaster@humboldt1.com>
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 19:17:16 -0700
References: <000701c238f5$0152ecf0$6400a8c0@DJPFL111>

But no mechanical device can equal the photographer's "anticipation" time,
which is a negative number. That minus 200 milliseconds is what lets you get
the precise moment of exposure in an awareness of the developing moment. I
think the love of the Leica shutter is not only its speed but the consistent
familiarity one develops to synchronize anticipation with the snapping of
the button. It is something similar to the "snap-squeeze" of a target rifle
between heartbeats, yet involves even more of the senses. I think a good
photographer is a bit of a prophet, at least for a tenth or two of a second
into the future.

Gary Todoroff
Tree LUGger

> > First there is your reaction time, which I can guarantee you
> > is not anywhere near as short as 100ms.  Take a digital
> > stopwatch start it and then try to stop it at .10 seconds -
> > by watching the numbers change, not by just hitting the
> > button again as quickly as possible.  You will be very
> > surprised at how long the time is.  It's easily enough to
> > bury any other time in the system.


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In reply to: Message from "Clive Moss" <clivemoss@hotmail.com> (RE: Humbug: [Leica] Millimeters and milliseconds)