Is the Leica Forum a Leica Forum?

[comapedrosa]

Is there such thing as a Leica "photographer"?

I must plead guilty for I have recently posted a thread including non-Leica photos. On top of that, I hit the max of 5 photos before I could upload my Leica pics, so the thread ended up being 100% non-Leica. As an alleviating factor, I’d add that I did post in the discussion forum for my thread was intended to be the continuation of an old conversation with me and myself about equipment choices. Deservedly so, be it for the equipment or (more likely) the quality of the photos, I received no – zero - comment (got some comments on the subsequent Leica thread though – thanks Andy and Dave!).

That said, all I have seen in this forum are passionate and honest Leica aficionados. From time to time they simply need to display the "others" to better define themselves. That is were the subtle discernment and clement discretion of the moderator resides.

[Raid Amin]

I believe in "Leica Photography" more than only using Leica gear for photos posted here. What is someone wants to use a Nikkor lens on a Leica? Is this taboo? Or what about using a Leitz lens on a Canon rangefinder camera? Stating the lens and camera make, and preferring a rangefinder camera should be the main factors. Correct me if I am wrong.

[lct]

Originally Posted by Raid Amin

...What is someone wants to use a Nikkor lens on a Leica? Is this taboo? Or what about using a Leitz lens on a Canon rangefinder camera?...

Andy's response above doesn't need interpretation IMHO:

Originally Posted by andybarton

...The rules are pretty clear, in that Leica cameras or lenses must have been used to produce the photographs. This, therefore, allows the use of Panasonics with Leica lenses and Canon bodies with Leica R lenses mounted via an adaptor...

[uulrich]

There are so many web pages everywhere around these days entirely dedicated to photography that I really do not understand why people post their non-LEICA results into a Leica forum. I have not even been able to come across these postings and find the origin poster explaining why this MF shot can not be made w/ Leica gear. This would be a bit decent at least, questionable though. I also just cannot understand why they don't hv. a look elsewhere and ask for comments THERE. Why here?

Is there such thing as a Leica Photographer? Well, is there such thing as Nike-Golf, Rolex-Time, Ferrari-Roads...? People asking theses questions may find an answer one day. Hopefully.

I log into this site to find out the best way to work Leica M and R and to get better results with it. And even if I would be the best of the best of the best and on top of the pyramid I assume that I would still looking to figure out how I could still improve my photography. This is part of human curiosity, isn't it...? Being on this road, and then, I have to ask myself (and you) why I need to glance at MF photos here...

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by Raid Amin

Stating the lens and camera make, and preferring a rangefinder camera should be the main factors. Correct me if I am wrong.

You are not wrong, but this is, most definitely, not a Leica Rangefinder forum.

Users of any Leica equipment are welcome here equally.

[uulrich]

Originally Posted by imported_stefan_r

8<--- snipp
.... look after yourself, not what others do...
happy regards

To be quite frankly w/ you. I don't see any advantage in your suggestion. If I need irony I would have shared it w/ my kids.

Perhaps particular important:- If everyone would act as you suggest there would be no communication at all.

[comapedrosa]

Originally Posted by uulrich

Is there such thing as a Leica Photographer? Well, is there such thing as Nike-Golf, Rolex-Time, Ferrari-Roads...? People asking theses questions may find an answer one day. Hopefully.

Uwe, I couldn't agree more with you. I now realize that my point wasn't clear at all... I think that there are quite a few people who enjoy this forum and its regulars. Hence, they want to have their discussions and debates with the forum members here - not elsewhere - even though from time to time this might include something not 100% Leica. The primary reason for anyone hanging around here is still Leica. As a matter of fact, it is not the same to seek comments about Leica photos in this forum and seek comments on BrandX photos in BrandX forum. The members and the attitudes in this forum are very different from pretty much all others.

Sorry for the confusion.

[albertwang]

Sorry to tell you this but the Leica photographer is a myth thing. Honestly, as much as I love my Leica stuff, I sometimes prefer my Contax, Olympus, or Nikon depending on what it is. Studio flash is ideal for Nikon stuff which the R system hasn't found something comparable.

and Olympus still have the "best" digital results in my opinion. I will inform you of the impending Leica-Oly setup by the fall when I get the adapter.

[comapedrosa]

I don't know how to say this any clearer: I made a mistake, the wording was bad. I don't believe in "leica photographers", don't like it, don't want to be a part of it. Out. Basta.

My point was about what forum people like to hang around in. My point was not about brand fetishism. I do not adhere to the concept of brand fetishism. My cameras are not luxury goods to me and none of them have Hermes leather. I do believe that this forum is great.

[albertwang]

In fact, I firmly believe that this forum should not be restricted to only Leica photographs. Any camera is fair game. Even a Noblex shot should be allowed.

Originally Posted by comapedrosa

Is there such thing as a Leica "photographer"?

a good photographer takes good pictures with any camera, a mediocre photographer will not take good pictures if he owns a 10thausend leica equipment.

so sentences like these ones say nothing:


"When a man is tired of Leica, he is tired of life."

"we leica photographer"

...... regards

[lct]

Originally Posted by imported_stefan_r

...a mediocre photographer will not take good pictures if he owns a 10thausend leica equipment...

I've heard that on or two million times already but it's not true at all fortunately.
As a mediocre photographer myself my pics are a bit less crappy with Leica.

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by albertwang

In fact, I firmly believe that this forum should not be restricted to only Leica photographs. Any camera is fair game. Even a Noblex shot should be allowed.

Then what would be the point of the "Leica Camera User Forum"?

[hagee]

Originally Posted by andybarton

Then what would be the point of the "Leica Camera User Forum"?

The best photos taken with the best lenses in Oskar Barnack dimensions - in the best Leica tradition ?


cheers, hg

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by hagee

The best photos taken with the best lenses in Oskar Barnack dimensions - in the best Leica tradition ?


cheers, hg

Of course.

But, as I have said before (maybe even in this thread ) any photograph shot with a Leica lens, or a Leica body, or both is welcome. That obviously includes Is, IIs, IIIs, Ms, Rs, SLs, Digiluxes, other Leica digitals, CMs, Miniluxes, Panasonics with Leica glass, Canons using R-lenses with adaptors, Canon rangefinders with Leica glass, etc.

That's quite a wide choice of hardware...

It is an inclusive forum, within the rules laid down.

But, it is also a focussed forum (excuse the pun) to discuss and share the forum members' interest in Leica photography, in all its wide forms.

There are plenty of other forums out there, I am sure, should you wish to share and engage with Nikon users, Canon users, Pentax users and all the rest.

Given that Leica pay for this forum, I think that these "restrictions" are pretty fair and reasonable.

[marc_dufour]

1/ Log in a Forum is a free decision, nobody forces us to do it.
2/ Log in a Forum implies to respect its rules.
3/ There are other hundreds sites in the web to exhib pictures.
4/ Leica is sponsoring this one.

All we are here because we have a certain mean to understand photography (I hope).
Who does not agree with it, should have to read again the above points (overall the first one).
Marc

[telyt]

Originally Posted by uulrich

... is there such thing as ... Ferrari-Roads...?

I can't say anything about Nike-Golf or Rolex-Time but Ferrari Roads certainly do exist. When I am driving on these roads and I see a Ferrari in the rear-view mirror I pull my truck over ASAP so that the driver of the Ferrari may fully enjoy the experience.

Similarly I've encountered numerous photographic situations which can be fully enjoyed and exploited with a Leicaflex, and not with one of my Nikons. In these cases the Nikons are put aside and the Leicaflex is put to work.

The Nikon has its place just as my truck does (can you imagine a Ferrari pulling a horse trailer?). This forum is a showcase for our Leica photographs, made available by Leica for that purpose.

[albertwang]

I guess that Leica equipment could include anything-- Leica M body with Voigtlander lens, Leica M body with Zeiss Ikon lens...

True, Leica may be sponsoring but I doubt they really care what is used to shoot the picture as long as one Leica component was used in the manufacturing of the photos.

and that's exactly what the rules say. Using Leica equipment means, a part should be Leica (not Filters, but body/or objectives).

[oculus_ny]

I think the original question/thought is correct. As one who shoots a bunch of other equip,equipment (Rolleiflex 6000 and 3003 series, Olympus E-1, Minox, and a proud little Agfa CLACK, etc.), I limit my contributions here to the Leitz/Leica marque, except under exceptional and hopefully relevant circumstances.

There are enough other places for everything else. And it has nothing to do with snobbery: We are who we are.

Cheers,
Ray Hull