albert_smith Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I had a unique opportunity this past weekend to talk to and photograph a photojournalist that I really like, and it ended with me being kind of embarrassed. I was shooting in Daytona at bike week, and was using a Nikon F3 with a telephoto and my M6 with 35mm Summicron. In the crowds of people I saw many photographers, from many sources, but one caught my eye. It was one of the Turnley brothers. Since they are twins, I didn?t know which one, but hoped for it to be Peter, because he authored one of my favorite (modern) photo books, ?THE PARISIANS?. I went up to him and asked which brother he was, and it was in fact Peter. I talked with him for several minutes, expecting for him to be rushed or snobbish, but he was a very nice guy. We talked about his book, and because I own it, we could talk about specific photos in it. He was genuinely happy to talk, and I could feel some appreciation for my positive feedback on his book. We even talked about Robert Frank and his book being the inspiration. He was loaded with all of the latest digital gear, and then looking at me said, ?Oh, a traditionalist, huh?? He talked about my lenses, and my Leica for a bit. After some time, I asked if I could take a photo of him, to which he replied yes. I grabbed my Nikon, zoomed, framed, focused and? nothing. No shutter, no motor, nothing. It was just me standing in front of this photojournalist looking stupid. I dropped the Nikon, grabbed the Leica and moved in, but so did the crowds, so he was being approached by several of the other PJs in the crowd. I took one crappy snap and thanked him. Oh, the Nikon? A simple dial on the back of the motor drive had got moved off of an unlimited setting to a sequence setting at some random number, and the motor stops when the sequence is reached. Just my luck, it picked that frame I was going to shoot Turnley with to be at the end of the sequence. This had never happen in over twenty years, so I never figured to look at that when I was standing there looking stupid.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_smith Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 ...and my Leica shot after Nikon died.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Just goes to show a mechanical Leica in the hand is worth two electronic cameras in the (Jeb) Bush (land). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_fun Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I had a similar experience with the Contax G2... I couldn't take a shot because somehow I was somehow in the multiple exposure function. Luckily, my subject was stationary, so I managed to get the shot in the end. But if it was not, then I would have lost the shot. The things that happen when you let the camera think for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socke Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Bad luck! When I had my D60 for the first week I accidently set it to timed exposure and had to ask a colleague for help :-) Same day I set it to AI-Servo AF and wondered why the AF helplight from the flash didn't work. Yes, the D60 doesn't focus in total darkness without help :-) Again I had my colleague to help me operate my camera. The following weekend I studied the manual! But I have to agree, the less buttons and settings the less chance for error. On the other hand, I once shot my GF windsurfing and after 40 shots it was clear that I had no film in my RTS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandt_fan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 the reason your subject is a famous professional and you are not. he knows his equipment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Did I ever tell you about the time that I got over 50 shots on a roll of 36 exposure Kodachrome? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_hull Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Maybe it isn't an issue of "letting the camera think for you" or not, but a matter of not turning the camera to "multiple exposure"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbc Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 BILL - and the good thing is, after the 50 shots, you can reuse that roll of Kodachrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_woodard Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 The F3 rarely goes wrong on you, unless it is run over by a heavy truck, then you might have to change the foam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 "the reason your subject is a famous professional and you are not. he knows his equipment" That's pretty arrogant coming from someone whose been on this Forum for all of one day and doesn't know Albert from Adam. Would you be shocked to know that even famous professionals have made mistakes at one time or another during their careers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_landrum Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Stuff happens. It's good to have a back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandt_fan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 best to try and fit in you think so Eliot? The behaviour on this forum is the worst on all of the photo net. arrogance and rudest is common currency amongst leica owners especially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandt_fan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 But there is no complaint possible that will change so I fit in instead. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandt_fan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Eliot I returned the favour of clicking on your name and see you have a great leica but can only focus in one shot out of three. Why? Are you a great professional photographer making a mistake as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Brandt. I don't know what your problem is. Those three pictures are in focus, but something about you is not. I am a hobbyist not a professional photographer, as are many contributors to this forum. Did you come on this forum just to bash Leica users? people you don't know anything about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandt_fan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I enjoy watching them bash each other around You are the best it is like Oprah for the educated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Well, if you do plan to join the ranks of the Leica bashers, you will need to develop your technique better. Check out some of the A-list of Leica bashers, like El Fang, Doris Chan, Chuck Mercier, ].Z., Scott Eaton, to mention a few. You might as well learn from the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Ding!Ding!Ding! OK Eliot & Brandt, go to your respective corners. Don't want another million-dollar-baby incident right here on our beloved LF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_fang Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 <i>"the reason your subject is a famous professional and you are not. he knows his equipment."</i> <p>Even the best people who know their equipment inside out can still get a setting knocked off by accident. Pro or not, he had the presence of mind to immediately switch to his other camera and get his shot. So STFU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 "....he was being approached by several of the other PJs in the crowd. I took one crappy snap and thanked him." Albert, you made one there in that sentence. You actually posted TWO photos and not one. They were not 'crappy' as you described. They are both sharp and contrasty (looked like you were having to work in harsh light) but they retain enough shadow detail under the hats brim to see the guys specs and ears to complete his expression. These look like two competent journalist shots one static and a little posed, and the other moving with more environment and a pre-occupied intent evident in his walk. Both are composed with subject to left of frame with an instinct toward a "journalist's" composition that allows room for copy (text) around the subject. I like the first one best. Good job under unexpected pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_m__toronto_ Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 brandt, these guys are out taking pictures. you're wasting your time on a computer. does your mother know you're not in class? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I had harsh light and an unexpected subject doing photos of a guy jumping that I was only aware he was about to do in a few seconds time. Luckily I was walking towards the London Eye in 'tourist mode' with my Bessa/Summicron loaded with 400BW and I stopped for a few moments and go 3 off during two jumps. Bright white sky, bright white buildings etc and man with darkish complexion. I had no chance to compensate and left it entirely to the TTL metering AE mode on the R3A.....<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 0-=<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Q!"<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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