Hello Everyone, I'm new to this forum, but not to Leica. I've responded to a couple of the recent issues presented here. Many are very informative especially work submited, and links to other Leica photographers work. I once collected Leicas, so It's great to read some of the knowledge being shared that keeps the Leica mistique alive. The question I ask is-- why the nurotic comparisons to other brands, and the defensive slander of digital? There's a specific look and feel to Leica photographs that is obvious. Even my wife's untrained eye can pick out the Leica images from those of any of my other 35mm cameras. If it was up to her I would be using only Leica equipment ( sorry guys, she's already taken ). If I want really sharp and BIG, I go Contax 645 or Mamiya RZ and APO lenses with a 96 meg Kodak 4X4 ProBack and Genuine Fractals. But if I want thoughtful, small, quiet, decisive moment stuff, there's Leica. It's proven itself over and over and over. I'm super confident in it because of 25 years of consistant results. Love to see more Leica images from everyone. And as soon as I figure out how to include some of my work, I'll share it with all of you. All the best to all--Marc Williams

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), March 07, 2002

Answers

I think the basic answer is that a lot of people, especially the gearheads who make up a disproportionate percentage of those frequenting the internet, express themselves through the products they purchase--it becomes a reflection of who & what they are. Any criticism, or praise, of the brand becomes criticism, or praise, of themselves. It's just as true w/non-photographic products (e.g., clothes, cars, computers, etc.).

-- Chris Chen (Washington, DC) (furcafe@cris.com), March 07, 2002.

Marc,

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, "You are what you shoot." (All really insightful sayings are always attributed to the Chinese. ;-) ) Thus, I think Chris nailed it with the "any criticism of my brand is a criticism of me" comment.

Some do, however, view their cameras a "just tools" - even if they are enthusiastic about particular brands, and have chosen those brands for what they bring to the final images they create.

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), March 07, 2002.

Marc nice to have your coments here, this are some pictures I posted time ago, of course interested in your coments...

Leica 35mm

Leica 50mm

non Leica SLR's

-- roberto watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), March 07, 2002.