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| March 2007 |
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Dear classic photographers and Leica enthusiasts, Thank you for allowing me to share news about upcoming events, and giving me the opportunity to climb on my soapbox to spiel about photography from up close to infinity! More than three months have passed since the M8 was delivered. Controversies, scandals, intrigue, and conspiracy theories on Internet forums are diminishing as people use the camera and, once again, discover the joys of photography. Notwithstanding particular issues about functionality and some defects and gremlins haunting certain cameras, the response from my clientele has been largely euphoric. An auspicious sign is the response from many new-to-Leica users. Concerns about the level of quality in comparison to high-end D-SLRs were quickly put aside. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the digital file. Not only were they excited by their results, many were enchanted with the pleasure they extracted from the Leica-M experience. I guess it goes back to my long-established belief about Leica-rangefinder photography. While the photograph remains of paramount importance, we take different, more intimate photographs when using an M6, M7, M8 or similar camera. Canon has announced a D-SLR capable of 10-frames-per-second capture and a live-view LCD screen. In the span of minutes, hundreds of photos can be recorded. Most of these pictures will never actually be seen, let alone felt by the photographer. Every image captured with an M8 is an image seen and lived by the photographer at the split second he or she decides to trip the shutter. The truth for all M photography is simplicity itself: see and react. Within the first hour of using the M8 I applied the lessons of silver-halide photography to the digital medium. Switch off the instant review, concentrate on the viewfinder and crop lines, and don’t snap unless you see! I love the new conveniences the M8 provides. With no worries about the frame count, variable ISO depending on the scene, and the ease of managing color temperature, I eagerly anticipate reviewing my images once back home. These new conveniences are the icing on the cake, because the M8 performs like any other M. I take photographs as if I had a classic M in my hands. I love the M8 for what it does, not for what it is, and certainly not for the red dot on its fascia. The pleasure of ownership and the emotional attachment to the camera are valid as long as the camera helps me achieve results that not only surpass my expectations, but encourage me to further my visual journey.
M lenses such as the Summilux 35mm and the Summilux 50mm are also being delivered. (The Summicron 75mm and the new and highly sought after Elmarit 28mm ASPH remain hard to get.) The new wide-angle Tri-Elmar has been trickling in as well. I even got to look at and through the highly anticipated universal wide-angle finder. What a beautiful piece of engineering this accessory is. See beyond its size, and appreciate the complexity and intricacy of the design.
The newest flavor from the cookie factory.
The high demand fueled by the arrival of the M8, is a bit hard to comprehend. As 160 ISO is the lowest speed setting available, one hardly needs a super-fast lens. Then again, this lens’ image stamp and character when shot at F1 is unique and unmistakable. I took the F1 on a recent trip to ski country. It came in very handy in the dark, dimly-lit chalet. Is that worth over six thousand big ones? Up to the beholder, I guess.
Always
looking forward to your comments.
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