frank theriault wrote: > I just thought that Canon fitted the bill better than Leica. > You know, people buying Canon's because that's what they see > guys on the sidelines of major sporting events using on TV. > This is not meant as a criticism of Canons higher end pro > stuff, which is wonderful and effective in it's way.
I often hear this; if I had a bit of money I'd buy a Leica/Canon/Nikon and that would make me a better photographer. Like heck it will, might make you a bit poorer. Put this another way, would a top class world known photographer suddenly become rubbish with a lesser respected camera? Of course not, it's ability and practice, practice, practice. A Leica in the hands of a poor photographer will produce poor results with more expensive equipment. > These are the type of people who buy Porsche SUV's. What? A > Porsche SUV? > To me, those words are in contradiction to one another. A > Porsche is a small, light twitchy sports car. An SUV is a > big gas guzzling monster that is unlikely to see mud any more > than - well, I don't have a comparison for that one, but my > point is that folks buy Porsche SUV's only because they think > that owning a Porshce and owning an SUV are both cool, so > doing both with on swoop must be even cooler. They're wrong. > But, I digress... As a long time Land-Rover owner (24 years now) I resent being labelled the way that modern 'SUV' owners are - those who think off roading is having the nearside wheels parked up on a grass bank. When I bought my first one, I had bought the most unthinkable, uncool car ever. I was often asked if my next car was going to be a combine harvester. My own 11-seat Defender is about the only car I would ever want regardless of available cash. I now have carpets and wind up windows and that in luxury terms, is as far as I want to go. These things with auto boxes, heated seats, electric everything, get right up my nose. How the heck do you clean these leather upholstered beasts after off roading or sling all manner of unpleasant things in the back, or clean up after travel sick children? How many modern owners of large 4 wheel drive vehicles can drive them safely or tow? Most of them treat them like a car, when they should remember that a tall vehicles centre of gravity is somewhat different. Most accidents with them happen because of this lack of knowledge and ability to remember that a car and a an 'SUV' are different animals to drive. A Porsche SUV, eh. Hideous thing. For that money why not buy a second-hand L/Rover and an Aston-Martin DBS V8? No compromises there. > You are both right. Given my druthers, I'd have a Leica M > kit. But, I'd still keep my Pentaxes (how could I give up my > LX and MX). I'd buy lots more Pentax glass. And, another LX > or two (one to cover with snakeskin). > And, I'd likely buy a 67II kit. > > Then, I'd consider digital... <vbg> Well, I'd certainly have a little more Pentax glass - especially long lenses for the 67 - but any amount of cash won't get you health, piece of mind and happiness. Sure it will buy you a better class of misery....:-) Malcolm
