Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/03/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Mar 11, 2008, at 12:55 PM, Chris Saganich wrote: > I only try to think about why I have an apprehension about digital > images, even regarding the ones I make. I feel there is something > terribly sinister about the entire digital community and this is > disconcerting to me. three times now I have gone somewhere with my digital slr and my M8, and lenses...seeing good reasons for both cameras, and have only taken photos with the M8... Steve > > > At 01:19 PM 3/11/2008, you wrote: >> On Mar 11, 2008, at 9:54 AM, Chris Saganich wrote: >> >>> When I wake up in the morning I think I'd be happy to own an M8 but >>> then I have this problem regarding the proliferation of the digital >>> image. My problem is simply that the signal to noise ratio >>> regarding digital images is so high I'm generally turned off from >>> even looking at images unless I know their coming from a reliable >>> source. I figured that an M8 in the hands of the M community would >>> improve this situation but I think many have bought into the "get >>> more for less" mentality which seems nothing more then another >>> scam. As far as I have seen digital has disproportionately >>> benefited the consumers of the snapshot rather then artists and >>> professionals. Most bread and butter photographers when I have >>> seriously asked feel like they were forced into the digital world >>> without much benefit to them. Even at the higher end photographers >>> are getting screwed. I have friends who have given up standing >>> behind the camera because the image processing fetches a higher >>> professional service fee, so they work the computers all day and get >>> paid more then the photographers. When clients need more images or >>> different ones from a particular shoot they go to him, he keeps the >>> images and not the photographer. The photographer has become a >>> technician and the computer operator has become the artist. My >>> neighbor went so far as to start a business renting image processing >>> equipment to the computer operators for commercial shoots. All I >>> can say is that the $$$ is very good in the processing but not in >>> actually using a camera. I see a different future for digital >>> cameras where the term "camera" becomes meaningless, technical, and >>> not artistic. The "camera" as we we have come to know it is no >>> longer intimately tied to image making, rather the evidence suggests >>> computer processing is where the images are created so however you >>> get the image into a computer is fair play. The camera takes a back >>> seat to the computer in this digital world and I don't believe this >>> market trajectory will suddenly change, (so why should the camera >>> survive?). The term digital camera doesn't even make sense to me >>> anymore. The only hope is the continued drive people have for >>> serious creative self-expression and self-exploration through images >>> for which the computer still remains marginal. I see people doing >>> less of this the more digital they become. >> >> while I agree with what you say Chris...sadly it has a ring of >> truth... >> >> I consider your wonderful bw images, which in some ways I connect >> with >> Steve Unsworth's wonderful bw images taken with the M8.... >> >> it leads me to the conclusion that you are thinking way too much... >> >> instead of taking photos... >> >> with an M whatever... >> >> >> Steve >> >> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> At 10:14 AM 3/11/2008, you wrote: >>>> The M8 has a more limited audience than Leicas of the past. That >>>> must be >>>> a challenge for Leica. >>>> >>>> The M8 makes a lot of sense for someone who will photograph a lot >>>> before >>>> the warranty expires or before a better alternative comes along. >>>> But >>>> it's not like a film M that you could justify buying even if you >>>> were a >>>> weekend photographer. You knew the film M would require little >>>> maintenance and probably hold its value over time. A lot of people >>>> bought film Ms and hardly used them. And film M's still have value >>>> today. >>>> >>>> Even my 50-year-old plus film M is still a working camera. With a >>>> Noct >>>> attached and my favorite BW film inside, it is still without >>>> peer. I >>>> can't duplicate the image quality with software (although maybe >>>> someone >>>> out there can). >>>> >>>> Gone, too, it seems is the limited edition market for Leica. I >>>> wonder if >>>> we'll ever see a limited edition digital M. That would be good news >>>> because it would mean digital was reaching maturity. I used to >>>> scoff at >>>> things like Ostrich skin and Titanium shell on the M6, but deep >>>> down I >>>> secretly wanted to own one. >>>> >>>> DaveR >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>> information >>> >>> Chris Saganich, MS, Sr. Physicist >>> Weill Medical College of Cornell University >>> New York Presbyterian Hospital >>> chs2018@med.cornell.edu >>> http://intranet.med.cornell.edu/research/health_phys/ >>> Ph. 212.746.6964 >>> Fax. 212.746.4800 >>> Office A-0049 >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> Steve >> >> "I never wanted to be famous" >> now available at www.blurb.com >> >> kididdoc@cox.net >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > Chris Saganich, MS, Sr. Physicist > Weill Medical College of Cornell University > New York Presbyterian Hospital > chs2018@med.cornell.edu > http://intranet.med.cornell.edu/research/health_phys/ > Ph. 212.746.6964 > Fax. 212.746.4800 > Office A-0049 > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information Steve "I never wanted to be famous" now available at www.blurb.com kididdoc@cox.net