At 11:38 AM 3/22/2003 -0800, you wrote:For me it is cost at the moment. I just expanding on my manual Pentax stuff slowly. I'd rather put my $$$ in film, trips, and marketing my work than a new system that may not improve my photography hugely (though this will change I'm sure).
Any thoughts?
I take a lot of photos. Most of them suck. Some are OK and once or twice a year I take one that seems to be good.
The idea that a different brand of camera would somehow change this equation strikes me as utterly absurd. The failure is always within me - I don't SEE, I look at the object but not the light, I don't have the presence of mind to make the obvious decisions. To me, each and every unsatisfactory photo is a kick in that ass to dig deeper into myself and learn more. So I spend time in the library learning about my subject, I scout out locations and plan shots more vigorously, I try to imagine what shot will actually express what a want to say and how that could be achieved. Putting my energies into getting a new camera system, or this lens or that, would just be a distraction. It would be easier and less challenging - but it would accomplish > nothing.
I find several good points here, the camera system is, after all, just a tool. I don�t think the trademark on the camera has much influence over a good photographer. Most of the worlds greatest photographs have been made using cameras without any automatic features.
Why we use Pentax is a difficult question. For my part, it simply because my father had this nice screw mount Pentax 135mm 2.5 with a K adapter, and I could borrow it if I bought a Pentax. I�ve continued using it because they never failed, though rain or snow, in rain forests or during week-long expeditions tenting in the Norwegian mountains with temperatures down to -20 C. Also, after more than 20 years I guess I�ve adapted to their way of thinking. It�s convenient, I don�t have to think much to get the pictures I want. As a result I like the equipment they make.
Why should anybody want to change? Maybe Pentax have their disadvantages, but I�m lazy, I think the others have different problems and I don�t want to have to think to much about technical things when taking pictures.
I stick to the devil I know.
Also, I guess I should say Hello!
I�m new here, although I�ve been watching the archives for some time. Jostein �ksne convinced me last week that I should subscribe. So I guess you�ve got one more Norwegian here :-)
Dag Thrane
