Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Thorsten Overgaard occasionally comes to my notice for his extensive knowledge of the Leica system. I wonder if RFF would consider it appropriate to invite him as a mentor?
Suggestion for a new Coffee With the Mentors Mentor
- Thread starter Rob-F
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Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
I literally cannot imagine anyone worse.
The sadly departed Tim Vanderweert explained why better than I ever could: Deconstructing The Illusion | Leicaphilia
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Well, that is certainly not a very flattering review of Mr. Overgaard, is it? It makes him out to be a flim-flam. I wonder if that is the general impression among RFF members, or if perhaps he has some followers here as well.
Tim Murphy
Well-known
Dear Rob-F,
Smoke equals fire, even in the Show-Me-State, just sayin'.
Regards,
Tim Murphy 🙂
agentlossing
Well-known
Why would any of us be his "followers?"
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
Too many thetans, I imagine.
Dogman
Veteran
Tim Vanderweert and I corresponded occasionally by email and through his website. Tim knew stuff. He was reliable. He certainly didn't suffer fools.
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jonal928
Well-known
I would suggest that Thurston Overgaard and Ken Rockwell join forces and embark on a coast-to-coast journey. Success is guaranteed (also online).
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I had to look that one up. AI is handy for that. "Followers" was not a good word for what I was trying to ask; something more like, does anyone here read him, either for knowledge or interest. I do not, but somehow was under the impression that he was "somebody" in the Leica world. I guess maybe not?
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
I think he is, but only amongst newbies, people with more money than sense, and fools (and there can be a lot of crossover between those three groups).
He comes up as a subject on the Leica subreddit every so often, and never in a flattering light:
(I notice there's also a link to Tim's article in the comments on that post)
There's also a lot of stories of him taking money for services and products and not delivering (such as not delivering "masterclasses" and not shipping lens hoods).
The biggest problem with the modern internet economy is that the people who talk the loudest, talk the most, and promote themselves more develop a better reputation than those who you'd genuinely want to listen to, and I can't think of a better example of that than Overgaard.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
We say nothing about dead. But I'll say it. Mentors area is almost dead.
No reason to kick dead horse. IMO.
No reason to kick dead horse. IMO.
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pgk
Well-known
I can think of a very few photographers whom I have known over my lifetime for whom I have nothing but respect. They are rare beasts and sadly those I've known are mostly no longer with us. Of those that I still know I doubt that any would be interested in such a role. Be aware that T Overgaard comes with baggage!
38Deardorff
Well-known
unsure about TO, but the mentor section is going to be revamped soon, for reasons that are obvious
38Deardorff
Well-known
Best of luck with that....
Freakscene
Obscure member
An elephant skin camera case, no doubt 🐘 and without proper CITES certification.
Photographer Drops Luxury Elephant Skin Bags After Outcry
Well-known Danish photographer Thorsten Overgaard has stopped offering luxury elephant skin camera bags for sale after word of the bags got some
petapixel.com
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I had no idea he was so disliked! I'm glad I asked. I won't waste my time (or anyone else's) on him.
agentlossing
Well-known
The Triumvirate: Thorsten Overgaard, Ken Rockwell and Eric Kim!
Archiver
Veteran
Oddly, I wouldn't put Ken into that category. While I don't agree with all of his strong opinions about photography, I often refer to his very comprehensive lens library if I want details about when certain Leica lenses were made, which version came when, etc. I feel his website is a comprehensive catalogue of gear from Leica and Nikon, and useful as a reference for further exploration.
Thorsten has a lot of information about Leica in general, but his self-marketing is off putting to people who have moved past beginner/early intermediate level. I do not think he ranks as mentor status in the RFF community, given the level of folks here like SimonSawSunlight, who unfortunately has not been around since 2024.
Eric Kim is a class of his own. He did a lot to popularize street photography in online communities, but his work is mediocre and uninspiring at best, even compared with his contemporaries. His articles are full of ill conceived rambling, and during the pandemic he went completely off the deep end into garbage philosophical rambling and self aggrandizement, raving about the virtues of eating meat and lifting weights, and why a person shouldn't associate with their betters!
Archiver
Veteran
I'm wondering what that will entail, as at least two mentors have passed away, one isn't in good health, and two have not been on RFF for a year or more.
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