Old timers like myself reminisce about the days when photography had personality and we wax eloquently (well, at least wistfully) about certain cameras, lenses and films that we felt exuded personality. We remember fondly the early Leica and Contax cameras which displayed a distinct personality when coupled with marvelous Leitz and Zeiss lenses. In those days the discerning photographer first chose the lens, then the camera to match. The magnificent Kern Macro Switar lens, a little Swiss apochromatic jewel, produced images that were near painterly in quality when married to a Swiss Alpa camera. There were other lenses that displayed personality such as the four element Tessar that was so small one was hard put to imagine how it could produce such excellent images. 

After World War II Japan became a major force in photography and introduced superb cameras such as the Nikon F-3 and marvelous lenses that became the choice of professionals around the world. Japanese lenses had a personality different from European lenses and soon dominated the market worldwide.

Some films such as the early Kodachromes had a distinct personality and became the standard by which other films were measured. Later Fuji introduced Velvia which has a distinct personality and even today is revered by the two or three slide shooters left on the planet. Some of us old timers still lament the premature passing of Agfa 1000 slide film which had an almost impressionistic personality.

From a technical standpoint, photography today is truly amazing. We can easily produce photographs that are sharp, crisp and technically correct - - but all too often devoid of personality. What is personality in photography? I don't know. I can't tell you. But I know it when I see it.

Joseph Miller