When is enough enough? Locked

I find difficult to even remember how film was, but by the little I do, you might both be right.

Tonal response was more even in film, but images could be easily be ruined by the wrong exposure. Then, of course, being more limited in ASA, there were a lot of times you couldn't shoot.

What is great with mirrorless and EVF is of course that you can check the image in advance, and do adequate corrections beforehand, so if one develops even limited skills it's easy not to miss a shot.

I am content-oriented so many improvements are marginal to me, but I also accept that people like to push their lenses, be pleased with their bokeh, shoot in the dark.

Some of my most clicked images however were made with a 75 $ toy camera, where I specifically played on its imperfections. I only discovered later the extent of the Holga movement.

What I like in this stirring of the pot, is that this forum took a bent towards digital perfection which reminds me of Patty Smith's: "WANT MORE". It's a bit like a drug addiction, it leads nowhere, but it's a marketing dream, a guarantee of infinite spending.

Do the results of this expense show? I am not so sure. Since I see mostly samples I tend to think that the money is wasted. What I am pretty sure is that I never saw in film - my shots - a resolution such as the PL1.

I have an E-P2 now and in some respects, because of the stronger AA filter it is a step backwards. However I much prefer the interface, the size and weight, so I think it affects my content positively.

Would I like to have more resolution AND more dynamic range? Surely. Less noise? Sure. So I know that I'll upgrade sometimes. I am told that there is a movement called 'Slow Photography'. We invented Slow Food, so that's where I am heading - I'll upgrade slowly

Half of my few lenses are MF legacy so they were never so fast to operate like contemporary ones, but they don't seem to stop my anticipation of the 'decisive moment' but who knows, perhaps I am missing it over and over.

In a Wabi Sabi world of imperfect, transient beauty it's not so important. Imperfection must be factored in. Sometimes it seems that Olympus does, leaving always a little bit to be desired, sometimes it rushes ahead in a very Western way. I don't dislike the contradiction, but I don't feel compelled to buy everything. There are so many others that can buy a little bit, and so keep the company I like afloat.

Gear in buddhist terms, which must produce images, illusions, is itself an illusion. But illusion has an element of reality nonetheless, so the result will be transient.

Skill, like some Zen painter's brush, can incorporate this defect and make it interesting. Hand made circles were often attempted, but those I remember were left unfinished.

Am.

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Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric