Talented Bunch!

[back alley]

i don't think anyone was slammed here.
i agree it's all about preferences, what feels good in the hand, what a person is comfortable with.
there is no doubt that leica, nikon, canon etc. have their following and each advocate is biased toward their preference for a reason.

i have always preferred canon over nikon in slr cameras for example. they just felt more comfortable to me.
one of my favourite cameras ever was a minolta (cle).

i like that we are different and prefer different tools.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I like most manual cameras. I even like my Kodak Motormatic 35. Where does a $10 camera get off taking such sharp and contrsty photo's on automatic with a 45 year old selenium meter anyway! The closest to a camera that I did not like is the Vitessa. And that is because of the way the VF/RF is engineered. Must be the worst-to-calibrate RF of all time. Three set screws pushing the prism against a fourth set screw, having to get all perfect for horizontal and vertical alignment, must remove the top plate to adjust and put it back on to check. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING! SLAM, SLAM, Slam.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

My cameras better than yours, your cameras better than mine..............we should all shoot plastic cameras!

http://www.digitalsucks.com/index1.html

Todd

 

[modsoul]

I agree, Todd.

Let's shoot photos with LOMO then. Just kidding.

Max

 

[nwcanonman]

Todd, I agree. Plastic cameras are so entertaining to impact with hyper-sonic projectiles. LOL. 😀
Actually, Russ is 100% correct, it's the photograper NOT the machine that makes the image. It's just we humans love to play with and debate our tools/toys.

 

[vladhed]

Actually, Russ is 100% correct, it's the photograper NOT the machine that makes the image.

The obvious corollary to this is that the more the camera does for you (meter, set the exposure, focus the lens), the less impact you have on the final image.

 

[nwcanonman]

Vladhed,
While most of the mounted prints I have were taken with fully manual cameras, some were taken with totally auto P&S cameras too. It's the photographers (or artist's) vision that makes a great photo, not the camera (or brush).
SLR's with vast choice of lens give us more diverse pallettes, but without the "eye, heart, soul" to use it, it's paint by numbers. JMHO.

 

[vladhed]

While most of the mounted prints I have were taken with fully manual cameras, some were taken with totally auto P&S cameras too. It's the photographers (or artist's) vision that makes a great photo, not the camera (or brush).

...though sometimes the camera's auto brain buggers up the artist's vision 😀 😀

SLR's with vast choice of lens give us more diverse pallettes, but without the "eye, heart, soul" to use it, it's paint by numbers. JMHO.

Agreed. To expand my previous post, I shoot my Nikon FE in manual mode. The meter is on all the time, however, letting me know how to turn the centre of the frame into 18% grey. Also, unlike my Zorki, I can see the shutter speed and apeture in the view finder - so I never that to remove my eye from the view finder to do anything.

So more than just being smarter (and in the case of the Nikon, the smarts are optional) more modern cameras have better ergonomics and are easier to use nevertheless.

 

[nwcanonman]

Vladhed,
One of quotes I like best when someone asks, "How can I take better photos?" Is, "Shoot, shoot, shoot!"
Having done this for 30+ years, not having the speed or aperture in the view finder doesn't bother me, as I have already set it and know what I want DOF/speed wise. That makes the simplicity of the Zorki so much fun.
But, on the other hand at a sporting event or with small children in various light, the N80/SB28 TTL fill flash is my choice. All I have to do is compose. And with Nikon's engineering, 80% or better come out right exposure-wise.
Always good to have choices 😉

 

[vladhed]

One of quotes I like best when someone asks, "How can I take better photos?" Is, "Shoot, shoot, shoot!"

Yes, there are many such parallels. A young cyclist once asked the undefeatable Eddy Merkx what his secret was. His answer, "ride lots" 😀

I guess I'll eventually get comfortable shooting with nothing in the viewfinder but my subjet! Right now it slows me down which I think is helping me...get everything setup then wait for the "decisive moment".

 

[SolaresLarrave]

If I may... since Russ "came out" as a Leica unenthusiast, I'd like to add that probably his work wouldn't improve if he had one. There's this strange bond (boy, don't I sound corny! 😱 ) you end up having with your camera that comes from working with it, knowing well how it'll perform... Heck, it's called "knowing your tools"!

To me, like in Richard's case, the draw to Leicas was its solid feel. I like heavy cameras in my hands; that and that alone drove me away from getting a Konica Hexar AF (which everybody praises as silent and sharp). Also, the plasticky feel to it didn't quite match that of other cameras with which I can work: the Canonet and the Contax G1.

Hence, I will never be able to work with plasticky cameras. That keeps me away from the Texas Leicas (Fuji, Mamiya and Bronica). Except, of course, the F80 combo I have at home, but that's not common plastic; it's polycarbonate! 🙂

My experience with the Mamiya 645 was just miserable; I didn't find them satisfactory at all. Ergonomical nightmares to me... But then, I enjoy working with my C220.

It's just the chemistry... That's my humble contribution. Now, let's go shoot! 😛