Leica LTM Ken Rockwell's take on why Cartier-Bresson only shot with a 50

[ruben]

Hi folks

Here in Israel the masses are in an euforic trans with the reality TV shows, like "survival" on the island, etc.

Is something of the like going on here at RFF concerning Ken Rockwell ?

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Keith]

Hi folks

Here in Israel the masses are in an euforic trans with the reality TV shows, like "survival" on the island, etc.

Is something of the like going on here at RFF concerning Ken Rockwell ?

Cheers,
Ruben

ROTFL .......

 

[acheyj]

Hi folks

Here in Israel the masses are in an euforic trans with the reality TV shows, like "survival" on the island, etc.

Is something of the like going on here at RFF concerning Ken Rockwell ?

Cheers,
Ruben

Ruben you are like a breath of fresh air !.

Everyone else read KR's about on his home page, if you need to READ IT AGAIN !

Now you have it in perspective you can enjoy the lad.

Seasons greetings to all on this forum who so richly entertain me.

ron

 

[splitimageview]

Hey, Ken went and bought some Leica gear!

"I figured now's the time, so I just ordered a new Leica 28mm f/2.8 ASPH from Adorama, and a new 90mm f/2.5 Summarit-M as well. Each is $300 off, after you mail the forms and wait what is now about three months for your check."

 

[navilluspm]

Who knows - maybe he'll join RFF too!

 

[kdemas]

By the way, that Rockwell Leica mention was not in favor of of the Red Dot, it was a very tongue in cheek rip job.

Who cares, read him if you like it, ignire it if you don't (that's my New Years resolution

Kent

Uh-oh: Ken weighs in again, but this time in favour of Leica and film...

and damn it, he's right...

Rockwell on Leica

 

[navilluspm]

This was in an article he posted today about 25 years with Nikon

"Yesterday the mailman brought me a used Leica M7, which cost me less than I paid for my D300 last year. I haven't shot my D300 in over a year, but the Leica M7 ought to last me another 25 years. "

First a Leica M4, which he sent to repairs. Now a Leica M7 with summarit lenses. 2008 was a crazy year!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

This is just another swipe at Leica users.

What!? Unbelievable. The consensus is that the camera doesn't matter, only the photographer. So why would a photographer take a swipe at something that doesn't matter?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Ken Rockwell is a genius. Why because with little knowledge and some writing skill he manages to evoke so much emotion from so many people. Reminds me of a saying I once read " better to be spoke of badly than not at all".

Does that mean that Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" is a genius? Didn't even have a single writing skill, and yet "evoked" so much emotion from so many people.

 

[Schlapp]

Use a 50mm for a couple of months and don't use any other focal length. Discipline yourself harshly and be patient.

And remember, good things takes time.

I Just about shoot with std lens ALL the time !

 

[amateriat]

This was in an article he posted today about 25 years with Nikon

"Yesterday the mailman brought me a used Leica M7, which cost me less than I paid for my D300 last year. I haven't shot my D300 in over a year, but the Leica M7 ought to last me another 25 years. "

First a Leica M4, which he sent to repairs. Now a Leica M7 with summarit lenses. 2008 was a crazy year!

Well, for Dog's sake, don't tell him about the Hexar...he's likely to party like it's 1999...


- Barrett

 

[colker]

Guys, read the article and chill.. it's tongue-in-cheek, as are a lot of his writings. He goes on to make the point that Leica is a relative bargain compared to the highest end digital equipment.

Relax! :bang:

but why lie about Cartier Bresson? the writer is a jerk. since it's the internet it flies.. was this guy a "journalist"he would be looking for another job already.

 

[Jason808]

but why lie about Cartier Bresson?

It's the nature of satire. Sometimes it's hyperbole (like saying every M8 owner is a rich dentist), or sometimes (in this case) it's more subtle. Rockwell writes a lot of satire, though I don't think he does it well. Pimping himself however...how many site hits did he get from this? Gotta give him that.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

It's the nature of satire.

Satire is not about lying and/or plain distortion with malice in mind. Satire is about making fun and presenting a caricature of the subject.

The line between Satire and Distortion is often confused with the same one between Sarcasm and Personal Attack, or between Fact and Interpretation.

 

[Jason808]

Satire is not about lying and/or plain distortion with malice in mind. Satire is about making fun and presenting a caricature of the subject.

The line between Satire and Distortion is often confused with the same one between Sarcasm and Personal Attack, or between Fact and Interpretation.

Please. At best the line is gray and its borders subjective. I don't see anything in Rockwell's post that was so severe and damaging to any person's (or brand name's) character. If so, the HCB estate as well as Leica should file suit.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Please. At best the line is gray and its borders subjective. I don't see anything in Rockwell's post that was so severe and damaging to any person's (or brand name's) character. If so, the HCB estate as well as Leica should file suit.

I was talking about Satire.

 

[Jason808]

I was talking about Satire.

So was I - I felt Rockwell's post is satirical and justified the apparent 'lies' about HCB - I retract an earlier statement about it being hyperbole. In this case I do think Rockwell was in fact going that route. I think derision and sarcasm are tools of satire in many cases - perhaps is a classical sense there is a difference but in modern terms, the line between them is blurred.

You appear to disagree with my assessment. Fair enough.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Yes, I am talking about Satire, not KR, which you are. So, yes, I disagree.


BTW,

Satire is not Hyperbole, nor vice-versa.

 

[Jason808]

Yes, I am talking about Satire, not KR, which you are. So, yes, I disagree.


BTW,

Satire is not Hyperbole, nor vice-versa.

"A very common, almost defining feature of satire is its strong vein of irony or sarcasm, but parody, burlesque, exaggeration, juxtaposition, comparison, analogy, and double entendre are all frequently used in satirical speech and writing. "

I never equated the two, but implied they were used as components - as I did in the original post about how satire was delivered and as the definition you supplied indicates. Apparently it needs to be a combination of them, or perhaps I need to speak to the kids and spell it out in minute detail.

My bad, I promise to be more pedantic in the future.

 

[summaron]

The problem with the KR's orignal post is that it begins in good faith and draws us in

It's easy to frame a fixed-lens photo by walking forward and back. Weak photographers, who have gotten too soft shooting zooms, have usually forgotten this.

and suddenly switches tone to irony--or satire which is more peevish--without any heads up.

The irony is used to point out that Cartier Bresson was "rich" (and by implication spoiled) and KR isn't and simplicity (a single lens) is more expensive now than what was previously expensive (zoom lenses). But it's a bit heavy handed.