Godfrey
Well-known member
I'm reading a biography of Walker Evans at present. Today, in a section describing the period when he has returned to the USA and is living in New York City circa 1928 or so, I read this:
Isn't it amazing how the Leica camera was considered small, pocketable and fast, capable of handling an extraordinary range of available light (with an f/3.5 lens and film with an ASA around 12!), and that thirty-six exposures was considered enough frames for a "day's outing"? It gives me pause to reflect on that perspective in contrast to today's obsession with ISO 6400 and beyond, with making hundreds of exposures every outing, etc etc.
Godfrey
The book is "Walker Evans" by Belinda Rathbone.".. Grotz had brought with him from Germany the latest camera, a Leica. This instrument, coveted by serious young photographers, had been introduced in 1925 and was still relatively rare in the United States. Lightweight and pocket-sized, it was designed for inexpensive 35mm film. With one loading, the camera held enough film for thirty-six pictures, enough for a day's outing. Perhaps most important, it's fast lens enabled photographers to make brief exposures in an extraordinary range of available light. .."
Isn't it amazing how the Leica camera was considered small, pocketable and fast, capable of handling an extraordinary range of available light (with an f/3.5 lens and film with an ASA around 12!), and that thirty-six exposures was considered enough frames for a "day's outing"? It gives me pause to reflect on that perspective in contrast to today's obsession with ISO 6400 and beyond, with making hundreds of exposures every outing, etc etc.
Godfrey