aa2000 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Don't get me wrong (just discovered this place on photo.net), but what is this forum about? I find these two words together, "Leica" and "photography", somewhat confusing... It is about photography (as art), or about the camera gear (as it's for eg. "Nikon" forum, "Pentax", etc)? If I don't have a Leica brand camera, then I should not post on this forum? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel rainville Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Hey Alexandru, I don't own any Leica gear, and yet I read this forum every day. The fact is, Leica shooters are a different bunch, shoot differently and different subjects, and behave differently than most other Nikon/Canon/Pentax photographers. That's why I hang out here. I might never be able to afford a M, but to compensate, these days I shoot with my N80 using only small primes, barely looking through the viewfinder trying to convince myself that my 35mm f/2 AF is just as good as a Summicron and my N80 as silent as a M7. That's what it's all about... I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mskovacs Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 As opposed to Leica fondling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 It's a place mostly catering to people using 35mm rangefinder cameras as exemplified by Leica, but also the Minolta, Konica and Voigtlander Bessa cameras sharing the lensmount. Also included are the older Leica thread mount cameras, the Russian and eastern European clones like the Fed and Zorki, and the old Japanese thread mount rangefinder cameras by Canon, Minolta, Yashica and Nicca. Occasionally classic Contax and Nikon rangefinder cameras are discussed. I guess mostly because they share the name Leica the Leicaflex and Leica R SLR cameras show up, as do the assorted Panasonic made little Leica digitals. As much as anything, I think, is that most of us shoot in a journalistic style using rangefinder cameras. A lot of us still shoot, develop and print using conventional B&W film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 stick around for a while, slowly the madness will sink in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Alexandru, I understand your confusion, especially if you have looked at the Nikon, Canon or other forums. This is a Leica discussion forum inhabited by mostly broad minded people, so often discussions go beyond the banal comparisons of lenses and camera bodies to aesthetic questions and photo critique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xav Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 It started as a mostly Leica gear oriented forum. Now it's almost anything more or less oriented toward photography. Maybe it has to do with the fact there is not much to say about Leica cameras, at least the rangefinders: Very few controls, old technology, ... Another possible reason is most Leica owner are NUTS (myself included). In threads where people post pictures - Words, NW (no words) - many of them are not made with Leica, and nobody cares. If you feel like posting here, go ahead. Welcome to the asylum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ethan_sprague Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 For the past 8 years I have been shooting Polaroid peel apart film. ( http://www.ethansprague.com ) I do not own a Leica. When I have tons of extra money I might buy one, but until then, I read the posts here because there are some really bright people in here, and one can learn quite a lot by reading the threads. Sometimes I post my own pictures as well. Noone seems to mind at all. I was looking for a "crappy" lens, and a guy in the Nikon Forum shiped it to me for free! (the lens AND the shipping).... My 2 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aa2000 Posted October 30, 2003 Author Share Posted October 30, 2003 Thanks to all. Sounds like a nice place. I'm going to watch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Most of all it is a community of people that, while widely different in beliefs, backgrounds and ages, "hang out" here online to share photos, stories and opinions. It's not too complicated really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_couvillion Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 "stick around for a while, slowly the madness will sink in' Alexandru, run away...fast, before it's too late. ;>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Please post your photos here. I looked through your folders and was impressed needless to say. There are quite a few photos posted here taken without a Leica and are appreciated. Especially if the style somewhat jives with the notion of what Leica photography is about- perhaps in the documentary genre with natural lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 I've always felt it's about all things "Leica", including using them for photography. I've never felt, nor do I believe, it should a "photography as art" forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Alex, please stay. You have very nice photographs on your photo.net page and on your websites. You could show us a thing or two about vision. Even if you didn't have photographs, so what, this is a bunch of good crazy people who like to talk about anything. What's nice about this group is that you can discuss photographs instead of just gear. Even the gear talk can get bizarre as you might have noticed. The gear talk is all noise after a while, something tangible to hang onto in the insanity of this world that is our own making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_kennedy2 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 The forum is a state of mind where the sum is much greater than the parts (lens, cases, filters, film, ergonomics, etc.). You can get advice here (mostly good), pats on the back, and occasional kicks in the ... You will rapidly become familiar with the personalities of the frequent posters and be able to calibrate them. I personally consider this forum to be a source of great pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Alex, I did check your portfolio and needless to say you have an excellent eye/vision. Stick around, teach us someting and perhaps learn something as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean_david_borges2 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 As a non-active member or lurker, I am glad you asked the question. It enabled me to discover your beautiful photography. Why does this forum exist? Besides the good-natured banter, it allows us discover photographers like you. Some of your stuff is simply stunning. Jean-David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_boyle3 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Stick around, Alexandru, and by all means post some of your work on this forum. You have a fine eye and I'm sure your photos would be welcome. Perhaps after a while you'll even buy a Leica and join the fray re. rangefinder flare and black vs. chrome cameras. There's something here for everyone. Welcome to the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 I've met some great friends here. I've met for coffee with a couple of them when they were in the Miami, Florida area, and should be getting together with another in 2 weeks. I've bought, sold and traded equipment with other Leica forum members. I regularly correspond with a member who lives in Pakistan, although we talk more fishing than photography. It's a world wide community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_couvillion Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Alexandru: Not that talent is a prerequisite to admission to this forum, as the vast majority of us would not qualify, but your stuff is very good. You might find this place interesting... I know it amuses me. ;>) Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
________1 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 "It is about photography (as art), or about the camera gear (as it's for eg. "Nikon" forum, "Pentax", etc)?" It's about both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray_moth Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Welcome! This forum is about anything in which Leica owners have a mutual interest - even, sometimes, photography! However, this covers a very broad spectrum, of which Leica owners do not have a monopoly, therefore anyone is welcome. Besides, misery loves company! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry_kincaid1 Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Your next question will be "What Leica camera and lens should I buy first?" Everyone will have an answer for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_abbott2 Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 Hi Alexandru, Just wondering, where are you from? I'm from NYC, the get ripped off while trying to buy a camera capital of the world. I also have no Leica, but I intend to in the not so distant future...probably an M7. I'm starting out with a Bessa T until I learn the fundementals. I should be a pro by the time I get a Leica. I wouldn't consider hanging out on any other forum, e.g. Nikon, Canon etc... IMHO there is a Leica mystique, if not with the camera, then at least with the people who use them. Some say Leica users are snooty and material-minded. I'd say those comparisons are better suited for Rolex watch wearers. A Leica is a brilliant, artistic tool. Owning one will make you sleep better at night. Okay, o.k. just kidding. But, there are a friendly bunch of people around here. They offer great critiques and solutions to problems. I'm glad to be here. You will be too.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_reynolds Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 Holy smoke, Alexandru, please send me a large print of one or more of your photos for my wall! They are fabulous. Whatever this forum is about, please stick around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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