Good morning everyone,
I would have responded earlier but my wife and I are on a much needed vacation celebrating our 10th anniversary this weekend. She tries to get me away once a year from the stress of owning a business, but alas, it keeps pulling you back in regardless of how you try to get away.
I am disturbed by this thread. And it’s not about the MF digital vs. DSLR commentary as those discussions have been going on for almost 20 years now. And I am certain that they will be going on for years and years to come. I am disturbed by how misleading and inaccurate the post is.
Since Mr. Vinberg felt the need to “share (his) experience and opinions based on those experience”, I feel that it is only fair that I am able to share mine as well.
* Regarding The Carmel “Anti-Workshop”
https://captureintegration.com/ken-dons-anti-workshop-2016/
Lets discuss the event. This is not a workshop, as the title perfectly states. Click on the link and read the description. This is a few days where good friends and clients get together to play with the latest photographic gear. We go to beautiful locations, share some drinks and food, share our experiences with one another, and just enjoy the time away from the stresses of our normal lives. The ridiculously small fee, $349, doesn’t even come close to covering the expenses of the event. It is just a placeholder to assure that the spots that are filled are not wasted by attendees not showing up.
The first day of the event is an equipment day. All of the equipment is set up in a location where attendees can come and play and learn about the gear. Tech cameras, MF bodies, and view cameras are on tripods waiting to be touched and tested. You can come learn how to use the gear and sign it out, at no cost to you besides the small attendance fee. This time is set aside to get familiar with the gear that you will shoot on location with very knowledgable people were ready to answer any questions that you may have.
During this day, and for the remainder of the trip, 4 Phase One Certified Technicians are there to answer any questions that you may have. Yes, 2 professionals from Phase One and 2 from Capture Integration are at your disposal for 4 days. Beyond this, the attendees and the hosts, Don Libby and Ken Doo, are some of the most gracious people that I have ever met in my life. The amount of “sharing” of both information and experience that goes on at these events is incredible. I will go beyond that and say that it is actually heart warming to see and it makes you want to come back year after year due to the giving and talented people that you meet for these 4 days.
* Regarding Digital Capture Equipment
I am a photographer. I have a BS degree in Imaging Technology from RIT. To pick up any camera that is new and start learning its nuances is not logical even to someone with a strong background. Buttons are in strange places. Menus have to be read and reread to understand them. Time needs to be spent understanding this new piece of electronic equipment…. even if you are a semi-intelligent individual. : )
If some of you didn’t know, I also distribute Leica and love the products. I always bring an M with me even when shooting medium format. I picked up our new Leica SL two months ago and did not like it. It was hard to get comfortable with the video feed focusing rather than my beloved rangefinder. The menus were longer and I got stuck on a few features that did not work “like I thought they should.”
Why am I stating this? Because I didn’t blame the camera. I didn’t go online to a public forum and call it names. I wasn’t condescending by making exaggerated misleading remarks implying that it couldn’t have been my fault and instead that ALL Leica’s must be “crap”. My reaction instead? Take it with me on my “vacation” and give it another try. And just spending 4 hours with it yesterday, I see all sorts of features that I now really like (along with a 90-280mm zoom that is pretty damn sweet). There are some amazing minds at Leica and I by no means think that they make inferior products because I didn’t feel comfortable with the product the first time I picked it up.
* Regarding Lars Vinberg
I was called out by name personally. My company, the treatment of my clients, and our ethics were disparaged. I apologize to anyone for the drama here. It’s not something that I like to be a part of whatsoever. However, it’s not fair to have the mud slung and not stand up for yourself. So here is my rebuttal
1) There was a day of training on the gear before the workshop started. There were incredibly talented people to help with any questions that he might have had. Computer workstations were set up so we could download documents and Capture One to jump drives and hand them out to anyone who needed them. Unfortunately, this great opportunity was missed.
2) Mr. Vinberg neglected to point out that he was using the Phase One on a Technical camera for the first time. Who would pick up an 8x10 view camera and think that they can learn it in an hour? Using a digital back on a view camera or tech camera is not like “spraying” with a Nikon. This is not recommend by us or anyone in the industry. With this said, Mr. Vinberg also neglected to point out that our technician, Cam Williams, helped him set up the tech camera system and was right by his side to answer any questions from the beginning. In fact, here is a picture of the first actual shooting location on the first day where Cam is setting the equipment up for Lars while Lars is NOT paying attention. Another opportunity missed and proof that his statements were misleading at best.
3) "Yeah CCDs do that sometimes when overloaded with light, just power it off for a few minutes.". This statement is false and outright nonsensical. But let’s chalk this one up to an English translation and someone not understanding what is being said. I want to believe this at least. Listening to the problems as stated by Mr. Vinberg, my analysis was that the Phase One IQ3 60mp was left in the direct sun and the back overheated. Leaving any black metal electronics in the direct sun to bake is a bad idea. Anyone lose an iPhone this way? My daughter did and she was not happy about it. : ) I can actually see where this can be misconstrued. But if you are confused, then don't post a direct quote that is not correct.
4) Laughing at a customer. My wife and my employees often ask me why I have so much patience when it comes to clients as compared to them. And admittedly, it’s not even close. I truly need to do better by both my wife and my employees, but I am working on it.
I work very hard to have the utmost respect and patience for both potential and current clients. If I had known that Mr. Vinberg was so “sh#% scared” to talk to me that he was thinking about “quitting his job and moving to a foreign country” I would not have laughed at his stressful situation. Secondly, the reason why I laughed is that Lars thought he had damaged the camera by taking the protective rear cap off the sensor and exposing it to daylight. I found this funny and yes I laughed. I want to state that Lars laughed along with me at this moment and I didn’t see any sign of an issue. But importantly, I am not above reproach. I make mistakes. And if I would have known that this would have caused any form of distress then I would have quickly apologized. Furthermore, Mr. Vinberg and I have shared multiple e-mails since the event and this was never brought up. This makes no sense to me.
If I have done anything in any manner to upset someone, I implore them to speak to me directly so they can personally understand the man that I am and the company that I run. You will then have a strong perspective change at judging me and my character. However, not telling me personally how you feel when given multiple chances, then going online to a forum, and disparaging me publicly makes me question everything that you share about any subject and this post. Trust is lost.
Sorry, but this is me “sharing my experiences and opinions”.
Dave Gallagher
CEO
Capture Integration