Bill Pierce
Well-known
Peter -
I could not possibly agree more. You've brought up an extremely important point.
I do feel a digital Leica with high performance at high ISO's would be a big seller even with a high sticker price.
The philosophy of a camera with no anti-aliasing filter, with excellent performance at its base speed and a fairly rapid decline as the speed increased, a camera that delivers outstanding image quality at its lowest speed is one that has proven its worth in medium format cameras used in the studio or other controlled conditions. It's just not what most folks used a Leica for. I always though it was easier to use a larger camera than to use Tech Pan in my Leica (and I could make Tech Pan do stunts). Journalist, documentarians, e.t.c., don't want a miniature Leica S2; they want a digital replacement for their film Leicas, one that delivers at high ISO's.
(BTW, we both convert to B&W at high ISO's with the Leica; it's just that I only have that option on personal work.)
biggambi
Vivere!
Bill,
This really is a hard look at the product, and the possible paradigm shift. I too came to know of the camera through those who had produced images with it. I could care less what a celebrity endorses or a wealthy person thinks is chic. Therefore, if I was starting anew, my first or earliest knowledge of it. Would still greatly depend on who is producing the limited work with it. My choice to acquire it would not be dependent upon this fact. That would result from my desired usage, and how the camera connects me to my subject. Also, the cost to attain it.
If Leica truly does not care about preserving this aspect of the camera's history it is a shame. I guess it comes down to values. I personally would rather have my product producing memorable, historically significant images for the world to see. Then, become trappings for ones ego. I guess their history will be as they wish to write it.
Let's hope they have a greater vision of their legacy than it might appear, and they are taking steps to preserve it. For it is a wonderful instrument to hold in ones hand, and perform ones craft.
This really is a hard look at the product, and the possible paradigm shift. I too came to know of the camera through those who had produced images with it. I could care less what a celebrity endorses or a wealthy person thinks is chic. Therefore, if I was starting anew, my first or earliest knowledge of it. Would still greatly depend on who is producing the limited work with it. My choice to acquire it would not be dependent upon this fact. That would result from my desired usage, and how the camera connects me to my subject. Also, the cost to attain it.
If Leica truly does not care about preserving this aspect of the camera's history it is a shame. I guess it comes down to values. I personally would rather have my product producing memorable, historically significant images for the world to see. Then, become trappings for ones ego. I guess their history will be as they wish to write it.
Let's hope they have a greater vision of their legacy than it might appear, and they are taking steps to preserve it. For it is a wonderful instrument to hold in ones hand, and perform ones craft.