Medium format sharpness

[Mark_Bishop@ipc.co.uk (Mark Bishop)]

Olivier Guillemain wrote:
>For you, what is the difference between grain and sharpness ? All
>medium-format photos that i have seen, have the quality you describe. I love
>sharpness and crisp images.

To me, a sharp image is one which possesses a near-3D contrast and reproduction
of texture, even in low-contrast lighting. Leitz lenses deliver this in spades;
my disappointment with 120-format stems from the suspicion that few do. Granted,
there is less grain; in contrasty lighting the shots can look sharp, especially
as the grain structure is so minimal, but as to genuine sharpness... few medium-
fmrat lenses can deliver this, it seems to me, especially into the corners of
the frame.