New York Times Article on Digital Leicas...

Yeah maybe you're right Keith -- maybe he just knows how to spend money! Of course I'm pretty good at that too.....

Okay, so allow me to modify that statement: But he owns an M9-P so I'd hope that he'd at least have some knowledge.
 
And what did you think of the article?

I pretty much agree with your statement below. For us geeks there's always something to pick on, especially if KR is involved:rolleyes:. But for the majority of readers it might have been an iteresting read. Definately a good exposure for Leica.

Personally, I don't think the article was so horrid -- I know that us Rangefinder Forum folks likely have way more knowledge on this subject than the average NYT reader (and potentially more than the writer - but he owns an M9-P so he must have some knowledge), so we're going to be more nit-picky, but I think it was an 'okay' primer on digital Leicas to someone with basic photo knowledge (or maybe none at all?). However, I personally agree that the fact that they devoted 2/3 of a page to the story, there should have been a bit more verification of the info he provided (like that rangefinder/interchangeable lens thing, for one). And yeah, to get a quote from Bruce Davidson or Joel Meyerowitz (or Elliott Erwitt for that matter) would have been great, or at least one of the notable photographers for the NYT (like Damon Winter?).
 
I wouldn't want to bear the weight of a Noctilux for very long...Wasn't the entire concept of rangefinders based on a necessity to go small and light?
 
I wouldn't want to bear the weight of a Noctilux for very long...Wasn't the entire concept of rangefinders based on a necessity to go small and light?

Um, no ... not really. In the context of their prime, they were the standard premium camera in miniature (meaning 35mm) camera terms due to the fact that they could be focused accurately without additional accessories. They came in all shapes and sizes, but were generally smaller than the SLRs that succeeded them as the premium choice in 35mm due to the SLR's versatility.

It's only later that people began to see RFs as primarily compact and light weight. A Leica M3 may be smaller than a DSLR by a little, but it's nearly as heavy and very close in size to a Pentax Spotmatic, Nikon FM or Olympus OM-1, and nowhere near as versatile when it comes to lenses.

G
 
my question is why did they use a lightpainting picture than looks like it was taken by someone who got their first DSLR last month to demonstrate what a leica does best?
 
Not the point of all rangefinders, but certainly of the Leica, as it was invented by Mr. Barnack as a small, light, high quality alternative to the medium & large format cameras available after WWI.

Um, no ... not really. In the context of their prime, they were the standard premium camera in miniature (meaning 35mm) camera terms due to the fact that they could be focused accurately without additional accessories. They came in all shapes and sizes, but were generally smaller than the SLRs that succeeded them as the premium choice in 35mm due to the SLR's versatility.

It's only later that people began to see RFs as primarily compact and light weight. A Leica M3 may be smaller than a DSLR by a little, but it's nearly as heavy and very close in size to a Pentax Spotmatic, Nikon FM or Olympus OM-1, and nowhere near as versatile when it comes to lenses.

G
 
Nice read. Light on detail and it has the typical inaccuracies you would expect from such an op ed piece, particularly one that quotes Mr. Rockwell, but overall it is terrific advertising for Leica and for film. Thanks for the link.
 
The article was an equipment one though... :D


true but this is from his site

"

When you get yours, after getting used to it for a couple of days, all the pros I've talked to prefer it to the LEICAs they used to use for reportage photography. The Fuji X100S is 60 years ahead of the LEICA M9. The M9 is great for nature and landscapes as I suggest below, but for the people shots that LEICA used to do best, today it's Fuji"

seriously?
 
The article was for the general audience. Those interested in photography hear about this Leica thing and here you go, an article that lays out the current high end digital program. I liked his statement that Leica spent years developing the Monochrom sensor operation; indeed did you look at the photographs? They're all his. Some of them are very good and once again the Monochrom just astonishes me. The other thing they demonstrate: I'd rather have the Summilux than the 1.0 Noctilux; and I'd rather have the 28 Summicron than either of the other two (close call with the Summilux I guess). The article was fine. It wasn't for US. But that's okay. I mean he should have mentioned that the company is having trouble making a profit but hey. Whatever.
 
When you get yours, after getting used to it for a couple of days, all the pros I've talked to prefer it to the LEICAs they used to use for reportage photography. The Fuji X100S is 60 years ahead of the LEICA M9. The M9 is great for nature and landscapes as I suggest below, but for the people shots that LEICA used to do best, today it's Fuji"

seriously?

Well, I can't disagree. I sold my M9 once I got the X-Pro1. It worked better for my photography, but I'm a nobody and I'm not into "reportage."
 
I thought the interview was great.
The Leica as is, a special camera.
There are problems going digital.
The problem of "focus drift".
Solved in a manner by the added on EVIL finder.
Leica unlike many camera companies have a waiting list.:D
The new Mini Leica is not the big hit! Surprise..
One really disturbing part, esp. if one now owns a S2,
that the DSLR is old technology..(See about SLR.)
Now i own M bodies and SLR.
Truth be told, adding all these new features to M-Body RF,
is kinda like adding a Turbo Gasoline engine to a covered wagon.
Any working photographer has relied on the SLR/DSLR since the 60's. If Leica had made a precision body, similar to the Nikon-F,
or a basic SLR like the Pentax Spotmatic, things might have been very different.:bang:
But one thing is certain, Fuji or whatever, you either have a real Leica, or you have nothing!:D
 
I noticed that he tweaked the sentence in his online version of the article regarding the 'first range finder with interchangeable lenses', and he also clarified his paragraph in the "A Timeles Love Affair With Leica" slideshow regarding film photography. So give him credit for making those adjustments, at least.
 
I thought the interview was great.
But one thing is certain, Fuji or whatever, you either have a real Leica, or you have nothing!:D

I would argue that you either have a real Leica, or a completely competent alternative, and a lot more cash in your wallet. But you can go on deluding yourself with loaded language like 'special.'
 
Calling Ken Rockwell an Expert?

Calling Ken Rockwell an Expert?

I like the fact that film and photography is getting some press but I do wish that the people writing these articles would take the time to get their facts straight.
Calling Ken Rockwell an expert gives many, many new photographers an impression that they should not be given. This is what Rockwell says about himself...

This website is [snip] a work of fiction, entirely the product of my own imagination…this site is my “aggressive personal opinion,” and not a logical presentation of fact…I occasionally weave fiction and satire into my stories to keep them interesting…if you consider anything I say as an endorsement (God help you if you do, remember, I do this site as a goof)…

Now a lot of people who may not be able to decipher bs from fact are being directed to his website by the WSJ. I'm sure they wouldn't do it if they knew the truth, but they did because they did not do adequate research to establish the bona fides of their "experts."

Sigh :bang:
 
I like the fact that film and photography is getting some press but I do wish that the people writing these articles would take the time to get their facts straight.
Calling Ken Rockwell an expert gives many, many new photographers an impression that they should not be given. This is what Rockwell says about himself...

This website is [snip] a work of fiction, entirely the product of my own imagination…this site is my “aggressive personal opinion,” and not a logical presentation of fact…I occasionally weave fiction and satire into my stories to keep them interesting…if you consider anything I say as an endorsement (God help you if you do, remember, I do this site as a goof)…

Now a lot of people who may not be able to decipher bs from fact are being directed to his website by the WSJ. I'm sure they wouldn't do it if they knew the truth, but they did because they did not do adequate research to establish the bona fides of their "experts."

Sigh :bang:

He puts way too much effort into that site for it to be just a 'goof' no matter what he says - sounds to me more like he is trying to cover his ass from any criticism.

It does contain lots of useful information - and Ken says my M3 is the best camera ever made!

He also says the Nikon D600 is the best camera ever made.

And and the Mamiya 6 is the best camera ever made.

Etc.

Randy
 
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