[Leica] Was large format... now equipment rant

["David Rodgers" <davrodgers@msn.com>]

B.D.

My problem is I never know how much I'll use a lens until I actually own it. 
Honestly, I could get by owning a 50 only. And I might be better off than 
owning a whole line of lenses. For a while I only used a 35/1.4 ASPH. Then I 
started using a 28/2.8 and 50/1.4.

A year-and-a-half ago one of my 2 M6's was stolen, along with a 90, out of 
the trunk of my car. I replaced it with some Nikon AF lenses (Nikon instead 
of Canon because I once used Nikon and I still had some equipment). I bought 
everything planning to get a Nikon digital body. I didn't like the D100. I 
borrowed an S2. I didn't feel comfortable using it. Don't know if that's 
because it was borrowed, or I just didn't like it. I recently used a D2x for 
a day. Don't want to settle now for a D100/S2 type body. But neither do I 
want to spend $3K plus.  So I'm using AF D Nikkors on an FM2...because I 
can.

I'm beginning to think the digital is just a distraction for me. My passion 
is, and has always been, shooting and printing b/w. Nothing digital inspires 
me in that arena like Leica. B/W photography, including darkroom work 
because I think it's all inclusive, takes patience and fortitude to get 
results. Success can be elusive, but when it comes it's ever so sweet. And 
even then, it's not perfect, meaning you can spend a lifetime learning and 
refining the craft.

Taking quick pics is a different story. Digital works for that. Again, it's 
fun, but it distracts me from the bigger picture.

Dave



- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2004 6:39 PM
Subject: RE: [Leica] Fw: [Large Format] Beth Keiser Shoots B&W 4x5 
ForCampaign Coverage


> First, David - I was serious when I said if it's the lens you want to
> use, go for it! I firmly believe that that equipment is best that best
> serves your needs. Period. And the Elmar certainly looks cool.
>
> Yes, there are people who will keep shooting film, and film will be with
> us for a long time to come. But I don't think we have begun to see the
> bottom in the film equipment market. 
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