Llama wrote: "Minimal electronics: you have now a wider array of choices than, say, two or three years ago, as several of the major makers have introduced minimalist cameras. Among these are the Pentax ZX-M, Olympus OM-2000, Nikon FM-10 and FE-10. These cameras are all aimed at entry-level customers however. For top-quality manual cameras, you have two main choices; the Nikon FM-2 and the Contax S2. The Contax is probably better built, and the Carl Zeiss lenses that it takes are second to none, literally." Good advice and an excellent summary of the present 35mm SLR product line, with well, er, perhaps one exception. The Zeiss Planar is a fine optic, and most Yashica T4 users are very pleased with the Tessar lenses, as are the T2 owners with the Sonnar. However, arguably, one can do better with another brand not mentioned. And certainly that brand is not new. Indeed, 35mm photography began with Leica cameras and these still define the state of the art. The new series of aspheric lens are astounding in their contrast and resolution capabilities. And thousands of used Leicas (all but the M5 and M6 entirely electronics free) are still traded around the world. I'd recommend an M2 or M3 body and a combination of a 35mm Summicorn and 90mm Elmarit for 99% of the photos one will take if waterproofness is not the issue and quality is. The Nikonos is similar in function, albeit without rangefinder focusing, and therefore is a useful companion, with good quality (and as rugged as the Leicas). The value of SLRs may be overstated. Cartier-Bresson and Eisenstadt managed their classic works without them. Bear in mind, too, that most popular point and shoot cameras are viewfinders, not SLRs. Also the finder on an SLR does not display the actual frame being exposed except on the highest quality cameras. Generally they include about 70-80% of the included area. Depth of field can be read off virtually all manually focusing lenses so this should not a crucial concern. Rangefinders are also much easier to focus in low light levels. While it has not been mentioned, the Nikonos has the distinct advantage of being usable while wearing glasses including dark glasses and even a diving mask. Like paddling, quality simple tools, used creatively and with skill, are the path to successful photography. Richard G. Mitchell, Jr. Corvallis, OR 97331 U.S.A. (541) 752-1323 phone/fax mitchelr_at_ucs.orst.edu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Feb 03 1999 - 01:46:53 PST
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