Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/06

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Subject: Re: [Leica] BONK! Ow!
From: Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2000 10:29:55 -0800
References: <B62C08E8.621%michaeljohnston@ameritech.net>

Mike Johnston wrote:
> > mark rabiner wrote:
> > To me this assertion "get with the group" means shoot with a Leica.
> > Then complain when every little thing goes wrong with it.
> > How you got better shots with your old trusty EOS.
> > Seems like half the people here LOVE to complain about their Leica stuff as
> > much
> > as use it.
> 
> Mark,
> Since you brought it up, who's who? I certainly never worried about putting
> a damned filter on the lens if I wanted to or which idiotic prissy slow film
> gave me the most theoretical detail. THAT'S the BS hereabouts. That sort of
> preoccupation comes from not knowing how photographs work and not
> comprehending the existence of any photographic culture beyond the bounds of
> a narcissistic obsession with one camera brand.
> 
> It's like you guys are marooned on an island and you band together and throw
> coconuts at anyone who suggests the world doesn't end at the beach.
> 
> --Mike
> 
> P.S. I presumed you would fall into category 2., those who believe the
> Canonical Presumptions of Leicology are actual gospel. <g>

I used to do a lot of tripod work with 35mm cameras on a fine art level with TP
which was then called HCC High Contrast Copy film in the 70's. Lots of people at
Webster College in St. Louis were into it. Now when i am hired to get some shots
of something I often bring my tripod along even if i am shooting 35mm.  The
smaller format doesn not somehow make me feel like the tripod should be left at
the studio. Maybe it will be low light and they will need some dept of field.
Now my films in black and white range from 100 to 1600. And I will sometimes use flash.
Where are the coconuts?
It is not myself who is locked into some narrow regimented concept into what
Leica is about. I simply suggested that Leica use simply means "means shoot with
a Leica." You are the one with the Coconuts and the camera which will only
tolerate Tri X at 200 put into it hand held and with little tolerance for other
ways of using the camera.
No one on the list ever suggested that the Leica was ALL ABOUT shooting TP on a tripod.
It's just an option for if one needs that or is in the mood!
If you are a hand held specialist than GREAT, people who like to sometimes or
often use slow films and tripods should not be a threat. Ignore them.
mark rabiner

In reply to: Message from Mike Johnston <michaeljohnston@ameritech.net> ([Leica] BONK! Ow!)