Camera Guy (For the Gearheads), a photo from Taipei, Nord

Photographer's Note

This was taken at the 2/28 Rally in Taipei. This guy, so far as I could tell was simply like me. A camera guy. However, unlike me, he had two Leica M6s around his neck. One with a moderate telephoto I think and one with a wide angle lens. I am fascinated by Leica, but have never used them. To me, although I know they are great cameras, they just seem too expensive and I don't understand why such physically small lenses cost so damned much. No doubt about it though, this guy probably got much better photos than I did that day.

Man, a guy with a couple days growth, interesting lines on his face, plus expensive camera equipment around his neck. Could there be a subject I want to photograph more?

Izobretenik, kajspice trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

cool_s15 (4050) 2004-03-07 10:14

Great shot you've captured here... Nice moment with a nice DOF... nice shot.

manny (22032) 2004-03-07 10:42

Interesting scene with a lot of action going aroing. Howver, you managed to isolate him quite well with your well-chosen DOF. A question: why are your pictures very sharp?

Ebbe (9625) 2004-03-07 11:40

A fine portrait as usual Darren! In spite of his Leicas I get a feeling from his expression that the underline here is that money don´t buy you happiness.

And remember Darren, that the man behind the camera is more important to the result than the make of the camera.

eelliott305 (776) 2004-03-07 12:09

Well Darren you got at least one good shot that day. You caught this guy at a great time when he was watching the action waiting for the right moment, unaware that you had found yours. Although the background is quite blurred, there is still a lot going on which is slightly distracting.

Luko (14000) 2004-03-07 12:26

What I like with your shot is the look of the guy, sharpeyed like an hawk scanning his environment for any immediate opportunity. This is typical, I think of Leica philosophy : no tripods, no fancy electronics, just be there and ready...

And yes I agree M cameras are damn over expensive -even though I use them- but you'd never know what precision is all about until you put your hands on a Leica. The lenses focus rings are so smooth and precise, the shutter is so yummy hearing, you'd play with it without any film inside.
Now for the record this guy isn't using a real Leica lens but what appears to me like a Voigtländer which is a japanese brand that thanks to its boss San Kobayashi, a huge Leica fan, builds compatible M lenses ( and thus allowed me to buy a ultra wide 21mm lens with its external viewfinder, same as the guy is using without any personnal bankrupt).

I could talk hours about the M camera, but I'll stop it there.

[5]

joso (2417) 2004-03-07 17:38

A camera-guy-portrait taken by an other one. With all that tension, all that waiting for the right moment. Taking part, but in an other way. Luko expressed it very well: "sharpeyed like an hawk scanning...". You captured it perfectly.
For me - didn't travelled till yet in that part of the world - seems strange to see this face, this hands wíth that camera - but also for you, as I see.

[2]

clodreno (0) 2004-03-08 7:15

Great one Darren. Nice catch .
You are absolutly right about the Leica.
I used one M6 for about 3 years. i liked it, but I must say that tehe results were not better than what I got with the Canon Pro lenses. The only thing I really enjoyed with them was the lack of noise. Something the new digital cameras have reduced a lot..

maciekda (19895) 2004-03-08 8:12

it is a nice shot, the expression of the guy is great - i can see he is scanning the surrounding to find a little scene to capture. i like his camera too, i'd really like to try it one day, one of those legenday Leicas ;)
very nice picture

gringofil (0) 2004-03-16 23:28

Interesting. For some reason I'm not really bothered by the busy background here, maybe because the subject matter deserves the background to be a little cluttered. Anyway, you've captured this man perfectly. I really like how he is concentrating on his own photography and not even seeing you take a shot.

As for a Leica: something magical about this camera. I've made a decision a long time ago: if I ever have some spare cash around I'll make my way to the shop in a second. Just wish it wasn't so damn expensive...

Izobretenik (1268) 2005-06-21 19:55

A nice note and the comments are pretty good too. I think this picture is nice enough to be worth the time you spent at thinking about this guy s camera ;)

Izo

kajspice (4542) 2006-10-14 17:50

Just saw this on the front page....not for the first time, was dragged kicking and screaming whilst doing my daily chores (hoovering to be precise!)...by one of mr. Luko's critiques.

Now, I probably risk being hit over the head for saying this, but I find them a bit clunky. I held one for the first time a few weeks ago, and I found it not very ergonomic and quite heavy actually...I am sure I would feel differenly if I owned, used and loved one myself...

agp (43) 2006-12-20 7:47

I laughed when I saw the picture! It shows what I feel about Leicas, with the clenched fists just behind the camera! I think your picture is great, though I think possibly it is rather over-sharpened maybe just for the web.