Re: [Leica] Leica Books

[Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>]

Now, I don't know if I should start another feud here or not, 
but for the record, I >DO< work in a university photo department, 
(my second department) and will post FROM that viewpoint:

I have told students for years, and been universally ignored, 
that they should use a 35mm camera and a 50mm lens.  Period.
When they ask "what should I buy", I tell them that when they 
need something else, they WON'T have to ask...If they have 
to ask what they "need", they dont' "need" anything.

I also believe that they should have NO meter for the first 
course or two...Not a TTL meter, not ANY meter...that they 
should master the ability to expose B&W, at least, in common 
shooting conditions, without a meter.  

Funny story:....I had a faculty friend a number of years back.
Arrogant would not describe...it'd be an insult to arrogant 
people....this dimwit told a story of how he went on a trip 
out west photographing with Fuji RDP (100 ISO chrome).  Because 
of his meter failing him, he trashed ALL his shots, by FOUR 
stops.   Bear in mind, he was photographing in broad daylight, 
with a tripod, and was off FOUR stops?.....But he was teaching 
photography to your children.

A camera, a lens (35 or 50 who cares?) lots of CHEAP film and 
lots of CHEAP paper....after a coupla years, they'll either 
be photogaphers, or not.  The "nots" need to find something 
else to do.  After they are good with B&W, they should NEXT 
shoot slow transparency film (100 asa or less)...AND they 
should look critically at color, at the same time....and learn 
to filter/correct/predict it....this will be a natural extension 
and refinement of their B&W skills, NOT a replacement for them.

Motor drives and extreme lenses used to be considered "specialized" 
equipment.  We'd have a better photographic community if they 
still were so regarded....

Walt in Denton

On
Sun,
5
Nov 2000, John Collier wrote:

> Do not buy any Leica books!! You will waste your time getting this "must
> have" lens or that "could not have nailed the shot without it" accessory!
> One lens, one film and take lots of photos. When your set up is not doing
> something, then just find out what you need to correct that problem only.
> 
> I started out with an M2, 50/2 and a handheld meter; and now, after
> purchasing almost every ridiculous M accessory available new and used, I
> find that I use an M body with a 35 lens for about 99% of my shooting. I
> have a closet full of stuff I use for maybe a roll or two or less a year!
> Right when I got my M2 with a 50/2, I knew I wanted a 35, I did not need to
> waste countless hours reading books describing things to find that out! I
> knew it already!
> 
> Leica books just seem to get one interested in solutions to problems you are
> not having. If you must buy photography books, buy books of photography! You
> will learn much more by looking at photographs, and other graphic arts, and
> experimenting.
> 
> Oh yeah...sign off this list while there is still time!
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> John Collier
> 
> Who has just ordered two more Leica books....Sigh
> 
> > From: JBelen@aol.com
> >
> > I am getting my first Leica camera (M6 TTL). I would like to get a couple of
> > Leica books that could help me to increase my skill (and enjoyment) with my
> > new camera. 
> > Could someone please offer some suggestions of Leica books?
> >
> 
>