Taking photos or Taking care of the camera?

[gustav[] pEña]

http://cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

Whe I see Garry Winogrands leica (link above) I understand how his picture are so good....becouse the camera was just a instrument but the real importan thing was the picture.

Every time you go out with your camera, what to you have on your mine...the camera or the moment?

Do you think is posible to own a perfect leica and have photos like Garry Winogrands?

gustav[] pEña

 

[ferider]

Gustav,

thanks for posting the link, I didn't see this before.

I have never seen a film pressure plate like this.

Roland.

 

[dll927]

In my PopPhoto forum postings, I always end with "It's not the camera, stupid, it's the EYE". That's probably a fairly apt response to your question. Winogrand seems to have been known largely for 'street' photography. As for that connection to CameraQuest, I once read that he had Winogrand's M4 that had a worn pressure plate from so much film going though. And he wanted some ridiculous price for it. As if having Winogrand's camera would make another Winogrand -- highly doubtful.

 

[ampguy]

no

no

I do not think it is possible.

http://cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

Whe I see Garry Winogrands leica (link above) I understand how his picture are so good....becouse the camera was just a instrument but the real importan thing was the picture.

Every time you go out with your camera, what to you have on your mine...the camera or the moment?

Do you think is posible to own a perfect leica and have photos like Garry Winogrands?

gustav[] pEña

 

[gustav[] pEña]

Th

Th

Thats my point....I dont belive we need to treat our cameras like a treasure. Gary Winogrand love his camera, I know couse I had read interviews. He also says hi started photographing couse hi was deeply curious about how a camera works. But that doesnt mean he was planing to idolater it as you can see for yourself.

 

[Crasis]

There's a certain limit though. You want your cameras to still work, and letting rust collect is not a Good Thing (tm).

With that said, it's why I buy cameras in mint cosmetic condition. I want every scratch, dent, and stain to be by my own hand. It's why I don't get 'user' cameras.

I can't fall in love with a stray cat, but I know many others who can 🙂

 

[kully]

I know what you mean Crasis, this is one of the reasons I bought a new Bessa instead of a 2nd hand one - each scratch and dent tells a story.

And. One day I hope my camera looks like that 🙂

 

[Rich Silfver]

There are certain criterias here that are important;

- Winogrand was a professional photographer. The camera - as much as he may have loved it - was a source of income. If it failed, he would get another one and another one, etc.

- Most people here are amateurs. Investing in a Leica may be a once in the life time thing and since most of us are not professionals - and it cost us a lot of our money - we have a tendency to want to protect it a bit (cases, etc).

Your question is fundamentally a 'Does the gear matter' question and those have been turned over and over and over again over on pnet with the same end-answer: "Do what YOU want to do with YOUR camera"

Also, not completely fair - or even meaningful - to compare the camera usage by one of the great, professional photographers of our time - to a bunch of weekend warriors (I am one of them) that treasure the cameras and hobby they enjoy.

 

[pvdhaar]

I think brassing and chipping of paint is a valid sign of normal use. In fact its a sign that the camera is truely used and probably works or worked good. But when it comes to dents and deep gushes, that's a sign of abuse. I can see no point in that. Even if you make a living out of your camera, I can't see the point. Break it to get that once in a lifetime shot? What about the shot after that?

 

[oscroft]

One of my favorite expressions is if you were a carpenter with a new hammer would you still pound the nail? Of course you would because that is what the hammer is for!

Sure, but hammers are intended for hitting things and cameras are intended for taking photos, so I say leave it that way and don't use your cameras for hitting things (besides, have you compared the prices of hammers and Leicas recently? 😉 )

 

[Finder]

A camera is a tool. All good craftsmen also look after their tools as they may not work or work well when you need them.

You can claim to be focused on your craft and a consumate artist only interested in the image, but when you turn up for a job and the stuff doesn't work, who exactly do you think that is going to impress? Insurance may cover your gear if you drop it, but it won't be replaced immediately - as I found out at 3,000m in the Japanese alps. I would recommend keeping your gear in good working order no matter what the cosmetics look like.

BTW, I am sorry about your low self-esteem. We really do not care if you beat up your equipment or keep it looking new. As a person, we will take you how you are. As a photographer, we will come to our own opinion based on your work. Relax. Enjoy yourself and your work. Here is a big RRF hug.😀 😀 😀 Chin up little buckeroo. Have a little confidence in yourself.

P.S. Windgrand's photographs have nothing to do with the cosmetics of his camera.

 

[FPjohn]

Use a camera

Use a camera

Hello:

The solution is to use a camera that takes a lot of abuse - a M series leica or nikonos come to mind.

yours
Frank

 

[back alley]

Do you think is posible to own a perfect leica and have photos like Garry Winogrands?

yes.

i have a car that i keep clean, inside and out. i don't like having crap all over the place inside. i don't throw paper or water bottles or anything else on the floor and leave it there.
does my car drive to work & back any better than a dirty car? no.
but i feel better about my cat when it is tuned and clean.

same with my cameras. i feel better when they are tuned and clean.
would they work less well if they were scratched? probably have no effect.
but i prefer they not be scratched and abused so i use a good camera bag and take care when i shoot.

it's a matter of preferences.

 

[Macpod]

i like using tools that are familiar, and they only get familiar through use. if something is used, it inevitably gets alittle petina and wear. I think petina and wear that appears on a trusty tool makes me want to use it more.

for that reason i would nver buy a new leica. too many battle hardened soldiers on the used market thats waiting to be recommissioned.

If someone gave me a new leica id sell it and buy an old one plus a coupl lenses in a heartbeat

 

[payasam]

I do not know which tool Finder used for the purpose, but he hit the nail on the head. Having been a professional to different degrees, I have no respect for those who treat their equipment roughly: and even less for those who seem to think that doing that somehow makes them better at their work. Others might like to shoot rifles with curved barrels, but I don't. Finder might have kept to the point and not used words loosely.

 

[Finder]

From where in my reply do you get that I have low self esteem? Did you read the subject of the thread? Little buckaroo? Do you think I am two years old? The whole point of my post was that cameras are just tools. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't matter if its a Leica or a Holga (besides the obvious financial differences) they are designed to take pictures.

Finder, I am flabbergasted by your response and I will leave it at that.

Patrick, I don't think you have low self esteem. I think the poster has low self esteem (I was replying to his post). He seems to imply the folks who keep their photo gear in good condition are somehow inferior photographers. I assume he feels by beating up his own gear, he somehow takes better pictures. That is kind of sad and I was just trying to give him some encouragement.