Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/05/23

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Subject: [Leica] Leica R lenses on Canon Digital Bodies
From: datamaster at northcoastphotos.com (Gary Todoroff)
Date: Mon May 23 12:19:49 2005

Even though Leica had the best optics, they did not keep up with the
technical advances of Nikon, then Canon in order to remain the professional
choice. The modern "system" approach of the Japanese camera companies
overwhelmed superior optics. Also, I feel that the public has "dumbed down"
in their appreciation of quality photography, especially in magazines. "Good
enough" works now, as evidenced by some of the truly atrocious national
magazines use of early digital photography. Also, just compare any high
school or college yearbook from the 50-60's to today's student work. The
quality of the photography, mostly done then with 4x5 press cameras is
awesome.

Today, I am waiting for the real advancement in digital photography.
Although very capable in capturing images, I am disappointed that most "pro"
digital  SLR camera bodies are still designed around film mode - much like
early automobiles that still had the mud guards up front to keep the horses
from splashing on the occupants. Technology leapfrogs, and Leica got
"leaped" a long time ago. I still hope they can innovate something that will
make us Leica lovers cheer about.

And I still assert that back when a majority really appreciated great
photography, Leica glass made a difference in the negative, the print and
event the magazine page. For a more current example, the photographer who
covered  the elections for the special issue on Bush and Kerry (Newsweek, I
think, but that's a dirty word now and another story, too) - he used Leicas
to capture some great photographs. The first time I saw the article, from
years of experience with printing Leica B&W, I instinctively knew they were
shot with Leica optics. Although other manufacturers are closing the gap in
optical performance today, with Leica lenses, there is a difference, but not
enough for most pros to appreciate in contrast to the better SLR systems
approach they get with Nikon and Canon.

Gary Todoroff
(Tree LUGger)

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+datamaster=northcoastphotos.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+datamaster=northcoastphotos.com@leica-users.org]On
Behalf Of B. D. Colen
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 11:27 AM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: RE: [Leica] Leica R lenses on Canon Digital Bodies


It strikes me, Gary, that if the quality differences were as striking
as some on this list believe, then virtually every professional
photographer worth calling professional would have been shooting with
Leica - and would still be doing all his or her film shooting with
Leica. And that simply was not, and is not now the case.

If there are real quality differences to see, they will be seen in
the darkroom, or through a loupe on a lightbox - but that's not how
people view photos in the real work. While there are many reasons for
wanting to shoot with Leica equipment - including the quality of most
of the modern M lenses - I'm struck that I've never heard anyone say,
"Boy, that Jim Nachtwey sure has a great eye - too bad he doesn't
shoot with Leicas."  ;-)

B. D.




>When I was a darkroom printer and before I was a Leica owner, I
consistently
>saw differences in negative quality from the professionals at KameraBIld -
>fine photographers all. My research proved that the negatives with that
>wonderful "sparkle" all came from Leicas. There was a definite difference.
>Within a couple of months, I had my own Leica.
>Gary Todoroff
>
>P.S. let's critique ideas or photos, B.D., not the fine members on this
>list.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>B. D. Colen
>Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 9:05 AM
>To: Leica Users Group
>Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica R lenses on Canon Digital Bodies
>
>
>Sorry to hurt your feelings, Mark - When I was shooting film, I did
>so with a combination of Leica glass and Nikon glass - I have used
>both on and off for more than 40 years. And, no, I don't think you'd
>be able to tell the difference between my Leica images and my Nikon
>images - I know that I can't, with the exception of those shot with
>the Leica 21 ASPH for the M and those shot with wide Nikons, which do
>not begin to measure up.
>
>And, btw, I don't claim to be master printer, so I don't know what my
>saying that the black and white prints produced by an HP printer
>compare to custom RC prints has to do with a discussion of the work
>of Sabastio Salgado; I'd step in front of an oncoming bus before I'd
>deign to compare my prints, or any of my photography, to Salgados. ;-)
>
>
>
>--
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>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Leica Users Group.
>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


--
B. D. Colen
Sr. Communications Officer for University Science
Office of the Vice President for Government, Community, and Public Affairs
Harvard University
617-495-7821
617-413-1224 - cell
bd_colen@harvard.edu

_______________________________________________
Leica Users Group.
See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information

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Replies: Reply from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] Leica R lenses on Canon Digital Bodies)
Reply from s.dimitrov at charter.net (Slobodan Dimitrov) ([Leica] Leica R lenses on Canon Digital Bodies)
In reply to: Message from bdcolen at comcast.net (B. D. Colen) ([Leica] Leica R lenses on Canon Digital Bodies)