[Leica] Digital photography and crack cocaine,which is more addictive

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Dan C said:
Subject: RE: [Leica] Digital photography and crack cocaine,which is more 
addictive<< ;-)


> When I bought my first digital camera, and took a decent photo with it, my
> reaction was always, "this could have been a great photo, if only I had 
> one
> of my film cameras with me instead of this thing."
>
> But no more.   With my latest digicam (Minolta 7D), I find myself 
> wondering
> what I'm going to do with all the film in my fridge.  I know what's going
> to happen.  I'm going to force myself to use that film, and then if I end
> up with something half decent, I'm going to regret not having my 7D with 
> me.<<<

Hi Dan,
I had similar feelings when I began playing with the Digilux 2 and a Canon 
G5. However,
now I use the 20D SLR, still learning and playing. But I'm beginning to 
believe I could be all digital without any problem after each time I've 
"played with it." But when I start to feel this way I try to dismiss it, not 
because I'm not sold on the quality of digital, but what the heck am I going 
to do with all the film & gear? Sure I'd keep one M7 and a couple of lenses. 
But?

"What the heck am I going to do with 3 M7's, an M6, two motor driven R8's, a 
pile of R and M lenses, a few flashes and a few other Leicas of various 
vintage and others, 4X5, 2 1/4 etc.

And it get's scary because that's only the gear!

And what the heck am I going to do with a 100 or more rolls of Tri X, at 
least a hundred rolls of slide film, tons of filters of various sizes, I 
should've got rid of years ago. And 250 sheets of Ilford Pearl surface 11X14 
paper, at least 200 sheets of 16X20 fine art paper and a bunch of 8X10 pearl 
surface paper. Obviously the paper is all wet tray! :-(

Not to mention the amount of digital printing paper beginning to pile up! 
:-) Well that's no problem as the digital stuff keeps expanding, as it 
appears to be. And the more I use the R lenses on the 20D, the more I see 
purchasing another 20D as I hate working with 1 camera and screwing around 
changing lenses when I'm shooting assignments or projects.

Several folks have suggested one of the high end Canon's instead of another 
20D, but I'm quite pleased with the feel in hand and the weight of the 20D 
so I'd hate to use a heavier camera even though I'm accustomed to an R8 with 
motor. The 20D feels so comfortable I don't think I'd want to be using 
different cameras.

However, I must add that when shooting digital I have a strange gut feeling 
that I'm not shooting serious pictures. :-) Because I've used Leica's for so 
many years it's difficult not to have an M or R in my hands. Shooting 
digital some how feels like "frivolous shooting" and yet I'm visually 
motivated in similar fashion and the shots look no different than results if 
I were using a Leica.

Maybe it's the auto focus when using the Canon lenses? Because I don't have 
the same serious sensation when calmly focusing an R lens with adapter. When 
I do, then it feels like I'm being serious as though it were an R8.

Then again maybe it's just me, as others have not mentioned this kind of 
feeling. Maybe I should hang an M7 or two on my neck and use them at the 
same time with the 20D? I believe Tina works with both digital and film at 
the same time. Another thing to add to the list of new things to try while 
shooting digital in 2005! ;-)

It does raise some questions when we have a pile of bits and pieces lying 
around and not being used. And to sell the Leica's is tantamount to selling 
your children! ;-)

ted