Comments on: The C Feature http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/05/26/the-c-feature/ a personal introduction to Japanese photography Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:13:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: PMCC http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/05/26/the-c-feature/comment-page-1/#comment-1748 PMCC Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:39:44 +0000 http://www.japanexposures.com/?p=3241#comment-1748 I love that quote by the 19th c. Glaswegian pioneer of hand camera photography, J. Craig Annan. Stieglitz first used that quote in his essay validating the use of the hand camera as an artisanal tool. At the time, the rear-guard movement in photography was lamenting the popularization of the craft by the advent of the dumbed down, mass-produced Kodak camera. This debate still resonates today, with mechanical, analog gear, distinquished by its functionally articulated design ethic, being completely overtaken by the tsunami of sleek digicams with their seamlessly integrated design. A specific example of the charm factor being basically nostalgic is Olympus's unabashed nod to the retro in its latest m4/3 offering. It's totally new wine in old-looking bottles -- bottles of charm, and I'll have a taste. I love that quote by the 19th c. Glaswegian pioneer of hand camera photography, J. Craig Annan. Stieglitz first used that quote in his essay validating the use of the hand camera as an artisanal tool. At the time, the rear-guard movement in photography was lamenting the popularization of the craft by the advent of the dumbed down, mass-produced Kodak camera. This debate still resonates today, with mechanical, analog gear, distinquished by its functionally articulated design ethic, being completely overtaken by the tsunami of sleek digicams with their seamlessly integrated design. A specific example of the charm factor being basically nostalgic is Olympus’s unabashed nod to the retro in its latest m4/3 offering. It’s totally new wine in old-looking bottles — bottles of charm, and I’ll have a taste.

]]> By: Janne http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/05/26/the-c-feature/comment-page-1/#comment-1640 Janne Fri, 29 May 2009 04:29:44 +0000 http://www.japanexposures.com/?p=3241#comment-1640 Agree. I got a Pentax 67 recently and I actually opted for the older 67 model over the more modern 67II, for precisely this reason. The 67II is a more modern, somewhat more capable camera; the better choice from a technical point of view. But the plain 67 just looks and feels more like I want a camera to be. I'm happier using it, and I'm sure that is reflected in the pictures I end up taking. Agree. I got a Pentax 67 recently and I actually opted for the older 67 model over the more modern 67II, for precisely this reason. The 67II is a more modern, somewhat more capable camera; the better choice from a technical point of view. But the plain 67 just looks and feels more like I want a camera to be. I’m happier using it, and I’m sure that is reflected in the pictures I end up taking.

]]> By: Wayne http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/05/26/the-c-feature/comment-page-1/#comment-1636 Wayne Thu, 28 May 2009 06:08:40 +0000 http://www.japanexposures.com/?p=3241#comment-1636 Part of a great design is how the object feels in your hands, how the controls feel. This translates to visual charm, it being solid, the shape required to fit in the hand in a certain way so you can focus without looking at the dial. In this way, it's very far from being fashion. If you want to take photographs you have to take the camera around as much as possible. If you don't like the object, it is like carrying around one of those medical oxygen tanks. Necessary, but not something you look forward to putting on your shoulder in the morning. Part of a great design is how the object feels in your hands, how the controls feel. This translates to visual charm, it being solid, the shape required to fit in the hand in a certain way so you can focus without looking at the dial. In this way, it’s very far from being fashion.

If you want to take photographs you have to take the camera around as much as possible. If you don’t like the object, it is like carrying around one of those medical oxygen tanks. Necessary, but not something you look forward to putting on your shoulder in the morning.

]]> By: John http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/05/26/the-c-feature/comment-page-1/#comment-1635 John Wed, 27 May 2009 06:37:10 +0000 http://www.japanexposures.com/?p=3241#comment-1635 I'll add that a trip to the Ricoh gallery in Ginza will give one a near overload of the C Factor with their stunning display of <em>every camera they've ever produced</em>. In particular, the Ricoh Auto Half (Halves?) is/are amazing. And don't get me started on the brilliant ads they were featured in which are also on display. They just don't make them like that any more. Not the cameras, nor the 1960s beach bunnies frolicking with them in the promotional materials... I’ll add that a trip to the Ricoh gallery in Ginza will give one a near overload of the C Factor with their stunning display of every camera they’ve ever produced. In particular, the Ricoh Auto Half (Halves?) is/are amazing. And don’t get me started on the brilliant ads they were featured in which are also on display. They just don’t make them like that any more. Not the cameras, nor the 1960s beach bunnies frolicking with them in the promotional materials…

]]> By: pketh http://www.japanexposures.com/2009/05/26/the-c-feature/comment-page-1/#comment-1634 pketh Tue, 26 May 2009 16:59:39 +0000 http://www.japanexposures.com/?p=3241#comment-1634 its so true really, and its a shame how uncharming (and ugly I would argue) most modern cameras (mainly the DSLRs) have gotten. I'm looking forward to the new olympus pen and hoping it ends up being great. its so true really, and its a shame how uncharming (and ugly I would argue) most modern cameras (mainly the DSLRs) have gotten. I’m looking forward to the new olympus pen and hoping it ends up being great.

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