[Leica] Re: Why do we do it ?

[MEB at GoodPhotos.com (Michael E. Berube)]

Having fun, Stephen Gandy wrote:
>why?
>
>because "the latest, newer, sharper, better lenses" not only improve
>our photographs, but they also improve our quality of life and make
>us better human beings, not to mention making us more admired by our
>fellow earthlings.

Now wait. Wasn't it you who wrote...:

"Now some Leica marketing dream out there is whining  "older lenses are not 
as 
sharp as the new lenses."   Well that is true, but are you really stupid 
enough 
to think that will make any real world difference? During the 50's the likes 
of 
Eugene Smith, Cartier-Bresson, David Douglas Duncan, Capa, and Eisenstadt  
set 
the standard for candid Leica photography with lenses often seen today as 
old 
and substandard.  Yet, today's photography certainly is no better, and is 
very 
seldom as good. 

If any of you self imagined Leica marketing dreams, that deserve only the 
newest best sharpest and most expensive lenses for your own snapshots and 
photo 
club competitions,  EVER are seriously compared to the best by knowledgeable 
photography critics, be sure and let me know.  I can always use a good 
laugh.   
 Until then,  count yourself lucky if you ever begin to remotely approach 
what 
that supposedly "outdated old and substandard" 50/3.5 collapsible Elmar can 
give you." (http://www.cameraquest.com/mcom.htm)

:)

Me, I like a mix of both the new and the old. The latest, newer, sharper 
better 
(FAR more affordable) Cosina stuff from CameraQuest and the nice old classic 
LTM glass that I find where I can and only buy when it is in top notch 
condition. 

Best of both worlds is that they all work on anything from the early 
production 
line Barnack's to the latest M7/Mp or RD1. 
Moral: Addiction to "Quality" doesn't have to mean taking a second mortgage 
for 
the latest stuff. 

For the real reason that 'we do it' check out Kyle's page:
http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/leicaslacker/truth.html

Carpe Luminem,
Michael Eric Berube
GoodPhotos.com