Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Matthews Brian wrote: > > I'd be interested in how you feel about 16X20 prints from Leica versus > Hblad, all films etc being equal. Also, what films would tend to minimize > the grain and resolution differences between the two systems. Despite what the Leica Rep. used to say. The Image a I get from the Hblad (nice abreave.!) are noticeably better at 16 by 20 with the same film then with even the Leica at 35mm. It just doesn't matter how great a lens is we are talking real estate. And if a lens really could make that much a difference which in an ultra extreme example we are starting out with Zeiss. And if you think they are beatable or not they are not going to be beatabel by much. Using slow film in the comparison test might minimize the differences because although you are staring at the full resolution of both systems. If they are both virtually grainless that is the biggest thing that pops out at you: the grain. No grain, no big thing pops out at you. But a larger format looks richer and smoother as well as sharper that there is a highlight creaminess which is really evident as you step up into Brownie film and then sheet film. But this issue is: do you have a shot to print? I just did a job in which the client picked 3 images from the Leica Contact sheet. The two sheets shot with the Hblad were too "stiff." I should have blown one up anyway although they were 8 by 10's to see that difference as I shot TriX 400 with both and souped both in the same tank at the same time in Xtol. I think I will tomorrow. Mark Rabiner