Re: [Leica] was:Ted Grant's Ravings, Ted responds :)

["Robert Bedwell" <rlb@triad.rr.com>]

I can relate to what you are saying.  Before I retired I decided that a
Nikon F5 would solve all my problems.  What I didn't realize was the
learning curve and did I ever run into it.  Having been accustomed to Leica
M's for many years this camera was like flying a spaceship.  Let's see; when
I needed to load the film...owners manual, unload the film...owners manual,
set the ISO....owners manual, change the meter mode....owners manual and so
on.  It drove me crazy, none of it made any sense.  I finally got rid of it.
After retirement I bought another one and still have it.  As you stated you
just have to rethink the entire process.  Once you learn all the available
options it's a snap.  Again the learning curve.

Whatever the future for Leica I certainly hope that they don't try to make a
mainstream product and compromise it.   If the product is high quality, uses
Leitz lenses, has the major automation features and it costs another $500
bucks the Leica enthusiasts will buy it.

Put me down for one!

Bob
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffcoat Photography" <jeffcoatphoto@sumter.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] was:Ted Grant's Ravings, Ted responds :)


> Well Ted you said just about what I was thinking (some of it anyway ) Very
nicely
> put, thank you
> . I really think there is a place and in a lot of cases a need for both
the
> manual and the automated. Learning to use one of those auto everything
computers
> with a lens can be a challenge, but knowing when and how to use it can be
an even
> bigger challenge. They often require as much pre thought ( or more ) than
some of
> the manual units. There is nothing more frustrating than missing a shot
because
> the da-n thing wouldn't lock the focus as it didn't see enough contrast in
the
> subject to lock on.  That's not the cameras fault, it was mine as I didn't
> realize how the focus worked (dumb me). Bottom line ( as I see it ) is
that
> neither of the systems is ( in this time ) an answer in and of it's self.
Would I
> like to see an "M" (what ever) that had aperture and shutter priority
modes
> allowing me to concentrate on comp and focus ""***YES***"". Maybe it's
age, I
> don't know- but I don't feel we should turn away from advancements because
of the
> romantic notion that the old way is the only way. Wood working is a hobby
I
> pursue and in that vain I ( along with a lot of others-this is another can
of
> worms)  feel those wonderful Shakers would have used power tools had they
been
> available in their day.
> Cheers Wilber GFE
> BTW over the years I've noticed that for the most part the client (for
those of
> you who do this for a living) could really care less what you shoot with
as long
> as the image is as needed and the price is right.
>
> Ted Grant wrote:
>
> > Bob Bedwell wrote:
> >
> > >Yes, Peter we must accept the fact that there is a new generation of
> > >photographers that aren't the least bit impressed that the Leicas today
are
> > >made the way they were when we were kids.  They relate to Playstations,
> > >computers and digital cameras.  There is not much that you, Ted or I
can do
> > >to stop it and I am not sure that I would stop it if I could.  The next
"M"
> > >camera must address these issues or it's life is definitely in
question.
> > >
> > >Bob
> > >
> > >P.S.  Ted, although I referenced you in this note you don't have to
respond.
> > >You never do and it doesn't make any difference anyway.
> >
> > Hi Bob mon ami,
> >
> > Actually I was going to on this one.:) I had figured everyone was doing
> > such a good effort of "ranting" on previous posts it didn't need me to
> > screw it up.;)
> >
> > However!
> >
> > You're right about the younger generations, as they've grown up in the
> > magical changes electronics have given to their world, ours.
> >
> > However, they really don't care with "fiddling things" when they turn on
> > switch "A", everything lights up, apeture automatically to right size,
> > shutter speed flashes it's ready to shoot. And click! How about "eye
> > sensitive focus?" It's like, "Who needs to fiddle those little wheels
and
> > ringie thingies?"
> >
> > So why would any of them be immpressed with a "model T" Leica, when the
> > bells and whistles make it happen faster than they think? Their images
are
> > in focus, correctly exposed and they get satisfaction with: "Gee my
> > pictures look neat!" "or cool!" results,
> >
> > So in reality it is us "old folks and in betweener's" who have the joys
of
> > the old days in smooth handling, doing it a little slower, time
consumming.
> > Yet we appreciate in a different manner, the joys of automation probably
> > more so than the young ones, as we've had the fun of living and working
in
> > the "good old days." Like it, buy it, set it, shoot it, all by hand.
> >
> > The bottom end is twofold:
> >
> > One. We should accept the changing times of automation in our camera's
> > "M88?" and be prepared to accept that it's the tone of the times.
> >
> > Two. Make an effort to pass on our experience with fine manual
equipment,
> > so the auto-generation will appreciate what manual is, that it gives one
> > great satisfaction to do "something for ones self." Rather than a
computer
> > chip blinking in the viewfinder...."press button now!"
> >
> > Did you like the response? :)
> >
> > ted
> >
> > Ted Grant
> > This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
> > http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
>