Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/12/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well, I am about a half generation behind you. I too was trained when 4x5 was considered medium format rathter than large format. The point is that many LUGnuts have never had to handle a Speed/Crown Graphic with a flash. The M cameras are really particularly suited to handle an off-camera flash. I am talking about non-studio use. Many of the younger photogs on the list have never seen a flash used other than over the lens as a built-in feautre of their twinkie cameras. I think a few months of carrying a 15 # flash battery pack would cure many of the younger LUGers of the desire to use flash. (and mine was a Metz). > Bill Larsen wrote: > >>> I think that the worst mistake that camera designer made was > > to put the "hot" shoe on the aux shoe....this set the > > standard for flash as over the camera. No modeling what so > > ever. Taking the flash off camera gives the photographer > > some control.<<<< Ted Grant writes: > > Hi Bill, > When I was a newsphotographer in the days of only Speed Graphic 4X5 cameras, > flash bulbs and eventually big wet cell battery powered Multiblitz strobes, > we always moved the subject at least six feet from the wall took flash gun > off camera and held it up as high as possible to get some kind of shape to > the face and to avoid that horrible on the wall behind subject shadow! > > Of course M cameras with flash mounted create the ideal perfect shadow > technique and that's another reason why I'd never consider ever using flash > with an M6. Actually regardless of leica making TTL bodies, I think they > should've encouraged a better understanding of using available existing > light . > > However, I've learned over the years on the LUG & LEG much to my surprise, > there are quite a number of photographers who use flash with the M6, so I > make a valiant, although at times I feel it's absolutely a futile effort, to > encourage them to use the light they see by and keep the flash for > absolutely, " if I don't use it I'll lose it picture situation." > > And if many of them would take the bull, "read camera and light" by the > horns and just go for it using the light that's motivating them in the first > place, many of them would improve their picture taking immeasurably. > However, it takes some guts to abandon flash when one has been using it as a > crutch for years. > > I make the effort to shoot flash down all the time to help some of these > guys to maybe, just maybe make some interesting non-flash pictures like they > may not have tried before. Now if they wish not to make the effort, then who > am I to get concerned, simply because I know it works, as I've seen the work > of many student photographers, excellent amateurs and pros who've taken the > plunge and gone available existing light and later thanked me for pointing > the way. > > Those folks who wish not to try, hey that's their choice. Cool! I agree > available light isn't the answer to every photo situation and I've never > said that, simply because I'd be a bloody fool to make such a blanket > statement. > > But the light we see by can be used far more often than many give the light, > their ability to use it and the quality of leica glass credit that allows us > to make excellent photographs. without flash, filled or other wise. > ted. > > Ted Grant Photography Limited > www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html