Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/05/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Initially I had thought that the Leica-R lenses on my Canon would show a dramatic qualitative difference in the end product. It does up to a point. But as most of my shooting is extremely fast paced, they can't replace the Canon zooms. For a sit-down portrait the Leica lens does fine. Leica lens: http://tinyurl.com/d4ar2 Leica lens (with monopod): http://tinyurl.com/b7kke Middle image, profile, is with a coolpix on a tripod. Which brings to mind, how many will use a tripod with their digital cameras? Closing it down in aperture priority gives an added depth to the image, with little or no problems commonly associated with diffraction. S. Dimitrov http://sdimitrovphoto.com On May 23, 2005, at 12:19 PM, Gary Todoroff wrote: > 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. ;-) >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: >> 5/22/2005 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/2005 > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/2005 > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >