Just recently I came across
someone questioning that only cameras that don’t exceed the noise level of a
Leica rangefinder camera are allowed to be used during actual court
proceedings. The question was if this
was true or if it was just a myth. This
sparked some curiosity on my part and I began to research the topic. Here is what I found:
Leica M4
In summer of 1977 the state
of Florida began a one year experiment to allow the use of still cameras, tape
recorders and live television broadcasts by accredited news agencies during
court sessions. It marked the first time
since the early 1960s that the media could venture into public trials and
visually record the principals of a case with more than pen and sketch pad.
One of the earliest cases
which received national attention during this experimental period was that of a
15 year old Miami boy who had been charged with murdering an elderly retiree
during a robbery. Major news networks
showed film clips almost daily and the nation’s newspapers were supplied with
photos by the various wire services. At
about the same time the Georgia Supreme Court, in consultation with the state
bar association drew up board guidelines for the admittance of news cameras,
etc., during state judicial proceedings.
The chief judge of each Georgia superior court circuit was given the
prerogative to formulate a specific coverage plan in his own district.
Many of those judges used
their power and position to effectively exclude members of the visual media by
not approving any plan of coverage for their trials in their
jurisdictions. Still and television cameras
were still barred in many counties in Georgia, even though the state’s highest
court had sanctioned their use.
The supreme courts in both
states further stipulated that the use of flash and motor drives were
prohibited. In addition the chief
justices gave the presiding judges the discretion to reject those cameras with
noise levels which would distract jurors during testimony and “detract from the
decorum of the Court.” That brought up
the question of which cameras were quiet enough to meet the noise criteria set down
by a crusty, conservative Georgia or Florida circuit judge.
The answer was unanimous: “Get a Leica M3 or M4 and a 90mm or 135mm
lens.” Soon photographers began winning
accolades of judges for the discreet quietness of their cameras.
Thus the conclusion is that
even though judges do have the final word if cameras are allowed in court, the
noise level of the Leica cameras apparently have become the standard. This is further underlined in a document
called "Supreme Court Etiquette for Media" from the Vermont State
Supreme Court. Under "Special Rules for Cameras and Recording
Equipment," it says:
“Not more than one still
photographer, utilizing not more than two still cameras with not more than two
lenses for each camera and related equipment for print purposes shall be
permitted in any court proceeding. Such cameras shall produce no greater sound
than a 35mm Leica "M" Series rangefinder camera.
Another site seems to have picked up on the same topic after you posted it here. It is interesting to see that the majority of comments are negative in regard to the Leica and seem to jump through a lot of hoops to show that other cameras are used in courtrooms also.
ReplyDeleteIt appears we have read the same blog. Yes, people were falling all over themselves to show that other cameras are being used in courtrooms also. They collectively appeared to have lost their reading comprehension. Contrary to their blustering, nowhere was it ever said that only Leicas could be used in courtrooms. Essentially, this was used as another platform for the Leica heaters to spew their nonsense.
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