Re: 35mm vs 2 1/4, my real world experience

[cmiller@berkshire.net (Curt Miller)]

Hi Duane -

I saw this in the LUG and couldn't help from commenting.  I am an avid user
of Leica M gear and absolutely adore the equipment and the images I create.

I also own Hasselblad equipment and, for certain situations (events and
portraiture), I love using it.  I have to say that not only do your
experiences with Hasselblad not compare with mine, the optical performance
you note is simply not true (the real test is using Hassy lenses on a 35mm
camera and blowing them up to 16X20 - stunning results).

My suspicion is that the lens mount on your Hasselblad was out of plane
(happens all the time and is adjusted during a genuine Hassy checkup) or,
for some reason, your camera was not focusable.  I have never had sharper
results with anything...period! and my 20X24s stand as ample evidence.

Best regards and happy shooting,

Curt

>I sold my Hasselblad stuff because in my real-life location situations 
>the results from it were often not as sharp as what I get from 35mm.   
>Sure there is less grain but it is also often less sharp.  Some will 
>swear other-wise and I agree with the theory and I have some great 2 
>1/4 negs but I have much  more that  I'll never use too!   35mm gives 
>me better results! (note: 10" x 14" is my standard print size)
>
>I think it's due to three reasons:  Less depth of field for medium 
>format lenses,  less actual resolution (lpm) of medium format lenses 
>and subject and camera movement due to having to stop down further to 
>achieve more depth of field.  There is always some wind in Ecuador no 
>matter where you go and you can forget about hand holding a Hasselblad 
>anywhere in my opinion.
>
>I found my studio stuff from it was incredibly sharp, but those 
>situations eliminated all three of the above factors.  
>
>On the bright side, it's my Hasselblad money that is paying for my M 
>equipment.  I'm anxiously awaiting that new tele M-6!!!!!!  Thanks for 
>the inside scoop!!!!
>
>Duane Birkey
>HCJB World Radio
>Quito Ecuador
>
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