Jump to content

dennis_couvillion

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,986

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Posts posted by dennis_couvillion

    Leica M8-Dead of the film cameras

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    "I think Leica M8 approve that film camera time is over. What you think?"

     

    What do I think? I think the introduction of the M8 has generated some of the most ridiculous comments, trolls included, I have ever seen on the Leica Fo... uh, excuse me Leica AND RANGEFINDER FORUM.

     

    On the other hand, I am happy for my friends who are excited by this new camera and hope that the M8 will be the ticket for keeping the venerated name of Leica in the field of photography for a long time.

    Does size matter?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    "This was on the street..."

     

    I understand. One day someone was critiquing a street shot of mine pointing out how much better it would be if this was here and that was there, etc. Finally I said: "Fine, I'll go back out and see if I can find her (the subject) and get her to do that." ;>)

     

    Your stuff is getting pretty good... keep it up.

    Does size matter?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Jonathan:

     

    I have a habit of looking at proof sheets kinda squinty-eyed or from a distance... looking at each frame as a sort of a black and white abstract. You start seeing things such as compositional balance and tonality differently. True, sometimes a crappy picture may look good this way but I've found that when you have a good shot it more often than not looks good in the abstract as well. I don't know if this answers your question but that's my experience.

    M8 in the flesh at last!

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    "No, most of us will black it out with a Sharpie!"

     

    Dan:

     

    A few years ago, before the introduction of the (dotless) MP some people agonized over the red dot on the M6 and M7 and searched for ways to hide or change it. It was funny to see the M8 with the red dot and my first thought was "You call this an improvement?!" ;>)

    Does leica quality still hold?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    The problem with the M5, IMO, had more to do with the mindset back then... in a sense the M5 wasn't considered a real Leica. The original, non-metered M design (M3, M2, M4) was what Leica users wanted. The M5 didn't look likea Leica; it was bigger and heavier; and I think Leica users didn't trust an untested metered design... too much electronic stuff to go wrong compared to the other Leica M's.

    And, in a way, the attitude among Leica shooters was "why should I switch to the M5 when I'm perfectly happy with what I have." I was only half-joking when I wrote (above) that Leica "ruined" the M design when it added a meter (M6). There were actually Leica shooters who felt that way... why fiddle with the M design when it's fine the way it is?

    Does leica quality still hold?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    "A reliable motor driven and quicker loading M would have been welcomed as well."

     

    Eric, I agree with that as well... as a cheaper alternative to the M. I'm just one of those people who thinks that the Leica M design is as good as it gets... for me, at least. Hell, I thought Leica "ruined" the M when it added a meter... but I've learned to accept "modern" technology to some extent. ;>)

    Does leica quality still hold?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    "the ridiculous and crippled MP"

     

    Hmmmm... I dunno about that. To many the MP speaks to the fact that even with the rapidly advancing technology of digital and automatic cameras the original design of the mechanical Leica M film camera has stubbornly fought off obsolescense. Quite a statement for a fifty year old design. While the Leica M may no longer be the primary camera of choice of photojournalists as it once was and serve the needs of immediate image production it still serves the needs of many photographers. Ridiculous and crippled? Hardly... more like an old war horse that still holds an honored place in photography. Photojournalists and street shooters did just fine producing stunning images with this "ridiculous and crippled" design and long after the various succeeding models of Canons, Nikons, et als. have been put to pasture the Leica M is still around. The ultimate goal of any photographer is to take good pictures... it doesn't matter if one uses the latest digital technology or a 4x5 field camera. In that regard, the Leica M still takes great pictures and with its time-tested design it is a pleasure to use.

×
×
  • Create New...