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Thread: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

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    Senior Member BlkWhiteFilmPix's Avatar
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    Bob

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    www.bobsoltys.net/fountainpens

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Thanks Bob. I can see that link. It's always great to hear about Leica cameras. A legend in their lifetime.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    From the blog:

    What makes the M system so unique?

    The M-System educates photographers. It’s like trying to write with a fountain pen. Using the fountain pen is not easy at the beginning. But once you’ve learned how to use it, you don’t want to write any other way. It is the same with the M. The M-System improves your photography, just like the fountain pen corrects your handwriting. And you can see that afterwards in the pictures.


    I can't argue with that, Leica is not the first nor the only one making rangefinder cameras, of course, but the M system is so well designed and made. I remember the first time I peeked at that huge and clear rangefinder at a camera shop, I was in awe.

    Thanks Bob, this brings happy memories for me.
    - Will
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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Thanks Bob. Reading the comments section you linked to reminded me of my time at rangefinders forum and sending 2 bricks of expired Delta 100 to Raid Amin for a project he was working on. I never did embrace the digital revolution (Luddite me), but I still happily shoot with my fathers M3 and the trio of Summicron lenses from the Mandler era.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    ....just like the fountain pen corrects your handwriting.
    Looking at video and written reviews... yeah, that's a bit of a stretch.

    While I used to buy into the idea of 'if only I had the right equipment', I now subscribe to the notion that skills need to be developed first.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    ....just like the fountain pen corrects your handwriting.
    Looking at video and written reviews... yeah, that's a bit of a stretch.

    While I used to buy into the idea of 'if only I had the right equipment', I now subscribe to the notion that skills need to be developed first.
    Just to clarify, for me, fountain pens did correct the way I wrote.

    Before I got into this hobby, I never gave a thought about how I write, couldn't care less of what I write with, while at the same time lamenting why sometimes I can't even read my own handwriting.

    Getting into this hobby made me realize that I can still correct the atrocious way that I wrote.

    Of course, there is no such thing as instant experience, so I am not talking about things that takes a lot of practice, just basic writing ability.
    - Will
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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    It was a generalisation. Tools do not a craftsman make.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    I am a Leica Photographer. But before I got into Leica, I had been using all the systems ( Analogue SLR cameras )and my photography was not improved . I can remember I was constantly going back and forth into all the brands/ Systems, and in 1998, I came to London on a short visit ( that time I was living in Paris) Then I found this M6 range finder and when I had it my hand first time I was amazed. Then I bought and went back home to Paris. ever since I never bought any other cameras. Well I bought some cameras but they were not to replace my M6. Instead I bought several M lenses to my camera and some more M digitalis.
    That is a fantastic camera and some love and some hate it. That camera M6 is still with me today and I am not boasting myself. I got lot of opportunities among Leica photography world here in UK and Paris.
    and it was due to this fantastic camera.
    This is my First feature interview In to The Leica camera Blog. This one opened me many doors to photography.
    https://www.leica-camera.blog/2013/0...h-photography/
    It is a fantastic camera.and It is true.
    In the pen and ink world, The dip pen is the M manual Leica Camera for me......
    If you master it the paper and ink and a dip pen could get to your top level on parers, into any level as a Leica camera could do in photography.
    That's why I am on to dip pens...

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Twice in my lifetime I bought and then sold Leica M film cameras and lenses. They are good, but they did not improve my photography, and five years ago I offered the equipment here. https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread...1mm-viewfinder

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    It was a generalisation. Tools do not a craftsman make.
    I do not think that was the meaning of the leica blog. I believe the meaning was that certain tools compliment how a certain crafts-person works. Some people find fountain pens to be a nuisance to use to write with and choose to use almost anything else instead. I know one person who uses mechanical pencils almost exclusively.
    Last edited by An old bloke; September 17th, 2021 at 10:28 PM.

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    It was a generalisation. Tools do not a craftsman make.
    Of course not. But I didn't get that conclusion out of what was said in the blog.

    Certain tools can inspire us to create more because we enjoy using them.

    By creating more, we have the potential to hone and refine our skills. That's where skills are developed.

    I know you are getting more into photography, have a read about a Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama and his preferred camera (not a Leica).

    Does it mean that he can't photograph using other cameras? Of course he can, but he prefers something that lets him produce photos that follows his style.
    - Will
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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by junglejim View Post
    Thanks Bob. Reading the comments section you linked to reminded me of my time at rangefinders forum and sending 2 bricks of expired Delta 100 to Raid Amin for a project he was working on. I never did embrace the digital revolution (Luddite me), but I still happily shoot with my fathers M3 and the trio of Summicron lenses from the Mandler era.
    At one time, about a decade ago, the Rangefinderforum was my daily read.

    In fact, if it were not for a thread in that forum about fountain pens, I wouldn't be here today.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Guess I'm a bit simple minded. A new fountain pen will not improve my handwriting. It's possible that it may give me some other aesthetic pleasure, I suppose.

    My camera - a Lumix something or other - is, in my highly superficial experience, a perfectly decent tool for taking snapshots. At this stage the only reason for changing it for something else is due to its size. It is way too small for my hands and uncomfortable to use. Most cameras in my price range are much of a muchness, so ergonomics is the biggest driver for me, and that's only if I took more interest in the hobby, which is uncertain. Also, I don't like screens on cameras, never have.

    Anyway, the other things I said are really personal opinions centred on my own extremely shallow skillset.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post

    Anyway, the other things I said are really personal opinions centred on my own extremely shallow skillset.
    Nothing shallow at all. Fountain pens and Leicas may be enjoyable or inspirational (maybe talisman?) to some, but not essential tools for optimal anything. There are phenomenal images created by talented photographers with phone cameras and by talented artists with pencils (and, good heaven, Bics). Also, there is a plethora of bad photos from Leica-weilders and poor drawings/letterings by fountain pen users.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Leaving aside how well they work, they are extremely nice objects.............and in the film days, they were the only cameras permitted at Wimbledon because of the quietness of the shutter. By contrast, when I had a Pentax Spotmatic , if I took a pic then ex army men would take cover because it sounded like a breech loader.
    Last edited by Fermata; September 18th, 2021 at 06:06 AM.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Congratulations, Cyril, on having your inspiring photos featured in the Leica Camera Blog. Thank you for sharing the blog post.
    Last edited by BlkWhiteFilmPix; September 18th, 2021 at 06:55 AM.
    Bob

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    Paper cuts through the noise – Richard Moross, MOO CEO

    Indiana Jones used a notebook in the map room, not an app.

    www.bobsoltys.net/fountainpens

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    You're welcome, Jim, from another film afficionado. Why film? I like the texture and tonal range that film provides, and am happy with what I have.
    Bob

    Making the world a more peaceful place, one fine art print and one handwritten letter at a time.

    Paper cuts through the noise – Richard Moross, MOO CEO

    Indiana Jones used a notebook in the map room, not an app.

    www.bobsoltys.net/fountainpens

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    Senior Member BlkWhiteFilmPix's Avatar
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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    As photography is about seeing and sharing, they didn't improve my photography either - except that there was no excuse to not carry a smaller, lighter camera with me.

    But the camera is just a tool.

    Back in the day, I wanted a faster 35mm lens than than the f2.0 that Canon offered. Nikon focused in the opposite direction, and I thought that might lead to misses. The camera dealer where I grew up was aware of my interest in Leica, and called one day to say they had a mint used R5 (SLR) with the warranty card. I was fortunate to find a used 35mm 1.4 lens for it.

    Eventually I downsized to the rangefinder.


    Last edited by BlkWhiteFilmPix; September 18th, 2021 at 07:54 AM.
    Bob

    Making the world a more peaceful place, one fine art print and one handwritten letter at a time.

    Paper cuts through the noise – Richard Moross, MOO CEO

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    www.bobsoltys.net/fountainpens

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Fermata View Post
    Leaving aside how well they work, they are extremely nice objects....
    Agreed.

    I don't care about photography at all. But some cameras are just beautiful objects to look at.

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    Default Re: Leica cites writing with a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post

    Anyway, the other things I said are really personal opinions centred on my own extremely shallow skillset.
    I swim in the same shallow end of the pool.

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