Actually, I sold that Lens, but since the camera offers the feature I use it for manual focus lenses … mainly because, unlike the M or S camera which are more manual oriented OVF, the Sonys are less so.Sure, I don't think we are talking about different things,
I remember when I first bought the Profoto TTL controller for the Nikon, I'd set up the lights and take a shot and the exposure was right, easy, efficient and so bloody boring! Went back to manual and just preferred the experimentation, it almost always opened up new things. I understand completely that you appreciate evf etc. as a means of experimenting in different conditions, I personally haven't found my creativity restricted by not having it, there's no right or wrong, just different. My opinion would probably change if I owned lenses like the Leica you mention and found it tricky to focus but as I don't, it's not something that factors.
Ultimately, whenever I see an image that really stands out to me, I have absolutely no thought for what was used to capture it, I just don't care, the "why" I find fascinating but not the "how", I never get anyone asking me what camera I use, I like that!
Same here. Content or "why it was presented that way" is what I'm interested in also. However, if I see an interesting lighting configuration I admit to being curious as to what was used and how it was configured. I love making some of my own modifiers to solve similar lighting challenges. I just made a 14" translucent globe modifier for under $80.
Technology is moving on at such a pace, it's a great time to be a photographer, no matter how you like to work, there is brilliant kit out there to help you produce the results you want, I'm not anti any technology, just not interested in buying it unless it does something for me that what I have doesn't.
I think you are not alone in that thought. These days it is often the little things that make far more difference than swapping out expensive camera systems.
Actually, just to add, the biggest development in my own images has not been from camera equipment but from software, C1 has made a huge difference over LR for me, plus investing more time in learning about post processing has done far more for me than new equipment has, that and taking the time to travel to places I don't often see. I think I would actually prefer spending the money I would use for a new camera on visiting some new places but I appreciate that's a very personal thing.
For me, the biggest change hasn't been related to gear or software … it has been a shift in purpose. I've combined my advertising experience and photography to help small companies build their brand … something they normally couldn't afford . Sometimes I'll do it for barter. That has gotten me involved in developing and expressing ideas I probably wouldn't have experienced previously. I've been doing on-site seminars also.