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Do you have a mind of your own?


bill

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This question is triggered by the regular questions that come up on this and other fora on a regular basis:

 

Black or silver?

This lens or that?

Upgrade or not?

etc.

 

Now, far be it from me to suggest that it is not a good idea to research, and to canvass others to learn from their experiences, but how often do you just get on with it and make your choice, and form your own opinions and how often do you behave like a sheep and follow either the herd, or one "leader", in a "HCB used a Leica therefore I use a Leica" manner?

 

I would no more ask some of these questions than I would turn to a stranger in a tailors' and ask for their opinion on the suit I am trying on.

 

I have a genuine concern that a lot of this behaviour is driven less by a desire to do the right thing than by a "need" to have someone to blame if something isn't right.

 

Answers on a postcard, please.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Thats rude! Obviously I have my own mind. If I had a choice of alternative do you think I would wear this one?

 

 

 

 

 

Although....Listen next time you are at your tailor, can you ask him for me "left over right" or "right over left"? And yea I know pants first, Im not stupid!

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As for me, I see it as sharing the experience for something that we all have a passion for, the products of Leica. That is a potential reason for the types of questions you mention. For example, the cost of the purchase of a lens requires sufficient justification in the decision. A few comments from someone who has been there can sway a decision. Benefitting from genuine interest in the experiences of those who have tried various things before can inspire other lines of questions.

 

Generally, I find the respectful and intellectual exchange of ideas and experiences to be one of the best parts of this forum.

 

Also, to quote a wise friend, "there are cameras you use for taking pictures, and there are cameras you use to enjoy the process of taking pictures." Leica fulfills that role for me.

 

Eric

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Most people's mind is close to made up, they just want to have confirmation of their choices.

 

That is so very true. I got hooked with the quality of the images taken with a Minilux my wife bought me for a birthday present. ("You're 53 now, I think you're old enough for a real camera"). When I decided to take the game up as a serious retirement recreational interest, and get an SLR, I blanched at the price of the Leica lenses compared with the rest. But even then, I knew I couldn't get the quality elsewhere, ergo, as Flatline said, my mind was made up.

 

I then asked the Old Forum whether or not I was barmy. They all said no. In this they were completely wrong. But so far as my choice of equipment was concerned they were completely right.

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Guest jimmy pro
This question is triggered by the regular questions that come up on this and other fora on a regular basis:

 

Black or silver?

This lens or that?

Upgrade or not?

etc.

 

Now, far be it from me to suggest that it is not a good idea to research, and to canvass others to learn from their experiences, but how often do you just get on with it and make your choice, and form your own opinions and how often do you behave like a sheep and follow either the herd, or one "leader", in a "HCB used a Leica therefore I use a Leica" manner?

 

I would no more ask some of these questions than I would turn to a stranger in a tailors' and ask for their opinion on the suit I am trying on.

 

I have a genuine concern that a lot of this behaviour is driven less by a desire to do the right thing than by a "need" to have someone to blame if something isn't right.

 

Answers on a postcard, please.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

I think most of the time those guys already have there minds made up and just need people to tell them they're right. The proof of that is as soon as someone offers up some reasonable suggestion (like that he shouldn't buy anything new and just go out and take pictures, or that his Canon is fine and buying a new Leica isn't going to win him the Pulitzer) the guy who asked the question usually jumps down his throat.

 

As to asking for someone's opinion about a suit, I know plenty of guys who really shouldn't be relying on their own judgement :p

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As I've read over photography forums over the years, I too am amazed at people asking others whom they don't closely know, to tell them what to do. I distinctly note a difference between those who seek experienced guidance and those who will probably sum up the responses and go with the majority opinion. I like to do my research, and, if need be, ask others for technical information, but I think I'd die before asking somebody else to tell me what to do with the expectation that I'd follow it like a sheep to the slaughter. Either the experienced old codgers out there (and a few young whippersnappers too) are so expert that one can fully trust them to guide choices in life, or the questioner has so little self esteem that it is difficult to make up one's own mind without the warm fuzziness of the support of others. If I sound harsh, I'm not, because I know people on both sides of this fence and sympathize with their quandries.

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