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LFI - too much on Leica digital?


tonytree

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Hello Forum, I have just sent a cancellation of my subscription to Leica Photographie International. The recent editions have been almost too much for me. I work with film and am not so stuck in that mode as not to realise there is a lot going on in the Lecia world that is digital. But the magazine seems so full of reviews and images that relate to the new range of Leica products that to me it seems so close to an 'advertorial' I was looking back at early issues and of course there were the same trumpet blowings for new products and inovations but it did seem more balanced. The magazine was an excellent showcase for photographers using Leica equipment as well as informative on techniques and equipment of all types, even non Leitz products. I was so well informed by the articles/tutorials on digital scanning/printing. I use film and convert to digital files. A look back at the heritage of the Leitz brand and the people who lived it are to me more interest than the pure sales pitch of the new products. Maybe I am just getting old and yearn for the 'goode olde dayes'. Your observations welcome. Regards, Tony

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Perhaps you should try Leica digital products. They're the future, they're what will keep Leica in business. Sadly, Leica film users will not ensure Leica's survival as an independent camera maker because they're not buying enough.

 

In the meantime, LFI is doing a good job to educate the dis-believers. I recommend it.

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Not everyone is interested in digital. If you shoot black & white then film is the preferred media. I bought a film scanner to display on the web but that's as far as it goes. And I'm spending plenty on Leica products; four ASPH lenses last year and one this year already, all new.

 

What I would like to see is Leica keeping the M line going with an M9 that is the M7 with the shutter from the M8; noisier but it goes up to a very practical 1/4000s or whatever. And I'll be buying a CV Bessa R4a - now there's an innovative product; I want one of those too. There's a lot of life left in film.

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It's going to be hard for LFI to get the mix right. I have noticed its trend to more and more digital coverage, but I've found it quite interesting - LFI is doing quite a good job as a "textbook". I will buy and M8 and currently use Leica lenses on a Canon body, but I'm still very much into film and can't see ever dropping it completely. However, I believe that in 18 months time anything to do with film or film cameras will be a rarity in LFI (unless Leica introduces a new film camera!). I think the cliches "moving with the times" and "commercial reality" come into play here!

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In the meantime, LFI is doing a good job to educate the dis-believers. it.

I didn't knew digital was a religion.

 

I use digital and film. But for my personal work I prefer film.

 

Even if digital would be capable of reproducing the look of a Tri-X, I would still prefer the real thing.

Like I also prefer a Leica M over a Voightlander/Cosina

 

Luc

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I didn't knew digital was a religion.

Quite.

 

Hell, I've tried digital..... more than once. It just doesn't do anything for me though.

 

As for the mag, a sign of the times I guess. There's far too much digital in AP too for my liking, and I suspect that will increase under the new regime.

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I don't do digital at all (yet). But I can understand the heavy emphasis on digital in the last one or two issues of LFI - I've still enjoyed reading them though. There has after all been a huge set-to over the problems associated with the M8 - and if the M8 isn't got right, then, IMHO, Leica really is down the pan (film cameras and all).

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Thank you so much for your response. I really was not trying ot go down the digital v film thing again. I am aware of "moving with the times" and "commercial reality" My sentiment exactly, It was just a lament at what I see as a fine magazine going only for the digital way to the exclusion of a broader editorial line. Of course Leica have to sell cameras and the new products are excellent. I think I saw LFI not quite as an extended brochure for products. I still have the Forum to read all manner of diverse and informed opinions and Leica World is an excellent showcase for Leica photographers, digital or otherwise. Again thanks for sharing your views. Regards, Tony

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From my workshops i know, that there are so many "classic" Leica users crying for "digital" information. For a lot of them the M8 for example is their first "real" digital. So why not articles about RAW-converting, histograms, inkjet-fineart-printing, M-TTL-flashing? Finally a lot of articles will also help the "mixed" users (scanning film and printing fineart-inkjets). What about the lens-articles? They are for "both". I´m sure, after a couple of issues a lot of "digital knowledge" has been transfered and the analog themes will come back. Don´t forget, Leica is standing at the beginning of a new era, a special interest-mag like LFI has to go (partly) the same way. Finally it´s all about photography, no matter which record-unit is used.

 

Ron

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LFI does have a tricky path to tread. In general I think the balance is about right. However I would like to see a better variety of photographers' work, possibly limiting the number of pages to each one. The recent Japanese baths series did seem to go on and on without making many extra points.

 

David

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Guest flatfour

All house magazines are like that. They are out to promote their current products so anything old is not necessarily worth devoting space to. I get the Porsche magazine Christophorus and lots of peple complained when the 911 was launched that suddenly the old four cylinder 356 cars were not so frequently mentioned. Now you rarely if ever see a 356 in a current issue. It's just a fact of life. Leica Fotografie is no different. I don't blame them for that if it keeps the company at the forefront of 'profitable' camera manufacture.

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Anthony, 4cyl. for you (sorry, M8):

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Guest flatfour

Ronald - That's painful. I sold my 356 A last May. This is a pic of it in the showroom.

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