Leica M8 Rangefinder: Diary of Realigned Obsession by Carl Garrard:
Today’s article reveals a personal confession of a past gear obsession and a subsequent simultaneous realignment of priorities. This article is more about photography than a review of a camera, but we’ll get into that in a bit. My purpose here with publishing this article is that I hope to echo some thoughts and struggles of other photographers, and that by way of having honest disclosure to you. In short, Iím sharing because I care about the world of photography in which we thrive. Like us all, I am human and just as susceptible to making disadvantageous choices once in a while. In this article I reveal my thoughts on newer camera gear, why I’ve decided to simplify my main camera system, and why ultimately I chose a rangefinder such as the Leica M8 for this task.
Introduction Leica M8: Admission of Obsession
After a few years of self-imposed gear distraction which entails obsessing about petty details and specifications, features hoarding and ease of use, Iíd finally decided to simplify my digital shooting experience to the bare essentials. Iíve decided through inspiration (by way of experiences) to shoot with a digital rangefinder as an exclusive main camera system. To once and for all do away with having multiple camera systems. Turns out, one camera system is all I needed- just one camera and three or four lenses. As a result of this change, a personal epiphanic transformation of sorts occurred. For starters, I’d realized many setbacks that Iíd caused my own growth in photography. Obsessive habits- some which are good, and some which are bad, were realigned and prioritized.
