The END of Erwin Putts AND Leica ?

Archlich said:
I assume the M-A is an assurance for people (I never thought Mr. Puts as one of them until this latest statement) who'd prefer Leica to be eternally stuck in the 1950's. Leica in turn conveniently markets its cameras as 1950's gadgets remodeled for modern times. The reality is it's 2019 now and it'll never be 1950's no matter whatever kind of "renaissance" we'd seem to be going through.

History shows that those who are too into "its own path" and refuse to adapt will always go. And Leica has learnt its lessons well.
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The reality is Leica was still making/selling the M7 in 2019, but pulled the plug on it as there was not enough interest to maintain production. But there is for the 1950s kameras. So what was Leica to do?

I love my M7. But I love my M-A too. Maybe more as there really is something quite incredible to be able to use NEW gear like this in 2019.
 
I like this comment by Kenneth Tanaka:


I think Mr. Puts has thrown such tantrums several times, especially since Leica introduced the newfangled discovery of electricity into their cameras.

I really do not know Mr. Puts' expertise credentials nor have I ever seen a photograph he's taken. So it's hard to account for his magnum opus, "The Leica Compendium", beyond sheer monomania. But it really was, and still is, a rather enjoyable and educational work that spans beyond the Leica brand. (The hard-cover is long out of print but you can get it in PDF on the LFI site. For a small, free, taste of the big book see his "Leica M Lenses".)

Mr. Puts must be well into his 70's now and his life's work is certainly behind him. Watching technological and sociological waves slowly wash your castle away would make anyone crabby. But I think he should be satisfied with his accomplishments, not shake his cane at the kids running on his grass, and enjoy his sunset years as an elder statesman, albeit a rather mysterious one, for the Leica brand's history.

The (harsh?) reality for me is it does not matter who Mr. Puts is, what he has done or what he will do as my photography has nothing to do with an encyclopedic expert on the subject of gear.

But I do wish him well, as I do for everyone here.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Or he might know something already, we don't know yet.
https://photo.imx.nl/blog/files/archive-october-2019.html
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You really don't think you know that already? That Leica is leaning on digital as its future?
I wish Leica well, but digital from anyone really is not for me. I love film but admire digital. I can't remember the last time I used my M240, am not impressed by the M10 as a step up purchase, the SL2 will just be a really really expensive version of Panasonic's cameras and only use my Nikon Z7 to scan film.

The one digital kamera that I do like using (and still barely use it) is the Olympus PenF. And of course Olympus has now discontinued that!

edit - oh yeah I do remember the last time I used my M240 - it was to tune the focus on my 7Artisans 28mm 1.4. Which I am using on film..
 
I never met Mr. Puts, but did enter into an email exchange with him many years back. He even bought a Canon F-1 from me. Sounds like he's not willing to accept that the photographic world he's known so long, has changed. I wish him well.

Jim B.
 
I'm a gearhead, and can understand Erwin's frustration at seeing how everything is going digital now. It takes a lot of the mechanical art out of the camera, introducing something that just sorts electrons to produce an image.

However, it's also an art to be able to create such electronic marvels within the confines of architecture that is the M system camera body.

I really like my film Leicas, and hope to continue using them for many more years. But if push came to shove, and the opportunity presented itself in a decently priced M10-Whatever, I'd jump at that in a second.

One needs to keep going forward to get anywhere.

PF
 
Huss said:
You really don't think you know that already? That Leica is leaning on digital as its future?
I wish Leica well, but digital from anyone really is not for me. I love film but admire digital. I can't remember the last time I used my M240, am not impressed by the M10 as a step up purchase, the SL2 will just be a really really expensive version of Panasonic's cameras and only use my Nikon Z7 to scan film.

The one digital kamera that I do like using (and still barely use it) is the Olympus PenF. And of course Olympus has now discontinued that!

edit - oh yeah I do remember the last time I used my M240 - it was to tune the focus on my 7Artisans 28mm 1.4. Which I am using on film..
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I'm well behind even on digital cameras. The only Leica cameras I care for are M. Film and digital. I'm lucky to have one of each.
Now, if you don't mind read him again. About M...
 
Mr. Putts may be a fine gentleman. I don't know him.

But this rings of a spoiled little boy taking his toys and going home.
 
I think he wants to remember Leicas as they were in the golden age of film. Having evaluated the MM and M246, he must have found the old excitement just wasn't there. Maybe he felt like an anachronism. Happens to all of us, at times, I'm sure. He must feel he has said what he has to say. I'd say he's made a contribution.
 
There is a slight sense there of someone throwing all the toys out of the cot but who can blame him! I wish him well. :)
 
Erik van Straten said:
I know Erwin Puts. He only has a Leica CL with a 40mm Summicron. He is not a photographer at all.


Erik.
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So that’s like writing cook books but never actually cooking..

I prefer to experience and enjoy the food and perhaps marvel that simple and dare I say cheap ingredients in the hands of an excellent cook can make something extremely tasty.
 
You could say that everything that could be said about film cameras has been said. I found his articles interesting and useful.
 
Leica has been dead to me ever since they abandoned the perfectly good scale-focus camera, for one with a rangefinder in it. They've only cared about following consumer trends since then. Sold out the soul of the company!
 
Well, in any event, I don't think it will be "The end of Leica." I suppose Michael means the end of the association between Leica and Puts. But not the end of Leica, surely.
 
Hopefully. press releases like this didn't put him over the top (waves fist as clouds!)... - with apologies to talented women photographers...

Leica Press Release - July 2019

...This summer Leica launches its long-awaited accessory collection dedicated to women who care about their image and the ones they create. The leather accessory collection consists of a limited-edition wicker basket and shopping tote, and two chic protectors for the new Leica Q2. The accessories are designed and handcrafted in Europe, and made from the finest Italian and Spanish leather. ...

...The light blue and bubblegum pink protectors are made of the finest quality cow hide leather with an elegant diamond patterned embossing. This embossing mirrors the Q2 leather and gives easy access to all controls. The protectors come with matching shoulder straps....
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I still think us men are more vain when it comes to dressing up our rigs with after-market accoutrements :D
 
No more trying to read long-winded, no paragraph-separated thought process articles that go on and on and on and......

I think I’ll survive....
 
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