[Leica] Re: Dentists and Leicas

["Peter W. Klein, D.D.S." <leicas@mindspring.com>]

After reading the endless and monotonous ramblings of many effete and
snobbish LUG members, I have finally decided to speak out. I take MAJOR
offense over B.D. Colen's characterization of dentists as among the limited
group of people who can afford Leica equipment but don't have a clue how to
use it.

I must ask, when was the last time you had a photo published in a major
publication such as The New York Times? I, for one, have had my photos
published thousands of times over the years. Before I was a dentist I was a
photojournalist and picture editor for 14 years (Staff picture editor at
The Associated Press in New York City, photojournalist at The Wilmington
News-Journal, and the Syracuse Herald Journal and news editor of the
Buffalo Courier-Express). I have two degrees in journalism with a major in
photojournalism.  I've travelled as a working photojournalist on campaign
trips with Hubert Humphrey, Bobby Kennedy, George Wallace, Nelson
Rockefeller, Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter to name a few.

And yes, I do have a boatload of Leica and Nikon equipment - but I not only
have intimate knowledge of how to operate these cameras, I USE them to take
pictures. I suggest many of you need to get off your collective butts
complaining about people who don't quite meet your snobbish standards and
put your money where your mouth is - TAKE SOME PICTURES !!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter W. Klein DDS
LHSA member and contributor

>From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
>Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 12:35:27 -0400
>Subject: RE: [Leica] Leica technology, creative control
>
>TEAShea@aol.com wrote:
>>
>> << Even though most people had a
>>  reasonable amount of Leica hardware (and Tom Brichta, the Leica rep,
>>  supplied them with more stuff) it was evident that most of them did not
>>  understand how depth of field is controlled, what hyperfocal distance is,
>>  or how to use long lenses and slow shutter speeds. >>
>>
>> This is really sad.  A bunch of third rate morons with Leicas.  What a
>waste.
>>
>
>not at all !!! a bunch of people who (1) have sufficient funds to purchase
>leica gear and (2) are willing to take the time to go on a course and get
>educated.
>
>not a waste at all ? i would have thought that leica need a whole lot more
>people like that. or should leica introduce a "user test" before accepting
>a purchaser "into the fold" ?
>
>mark
>
>REPLY:
>
>What  some people don't seem to get is that, because of its price, Leica
>gear, particularly new Leica gear, is owned by three types of people - if I
>may deal in GROSS generalities for a moment - 1.) an ever declining, small,
>group of dedicated pros; 2.) An ever declining (in terms of new equipment)

>group of dedicated photo-buffs 3.) Dentists.
>
>Dentists? People with a great deal of disposable income and a desire to own
>"the best" what ever it may be - cam, car, micro wave, even if they don't
>know how to use it. I once new a "dentists" - who was actually a guy in the
>construction business - with a complete Bollex outfit and a Nikon FTn with a
>zillion lens, none of which he really had the vaguest idea how to use.
>
>IF- and I know this will never happen - Leica figures out a way to lower
>prices, more pros and dedicated buffs, and fewer dentists, would buy new
>equipment.
>
>;-)
>
>P.S. You are absolutely right that it's great to see people learning how to
>use the equipment.