Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/08/09

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Subject: Re: 35mm vs. MF and Motors, Winders, Handgrips, & Tripods
From: ted grant <75501.3002@CompuServe.COM>
Date: 09 Aug 97 20:59:22 EDT

<<<     Any other thoughts out there on my ramblings?>>>>>>

Hi Ken,

First of all do not be discouraged by one gallery person! I have run into a few
over the years who are close to being brain dead when it comes to photography
and quality of pictures.

Some relate only to the "print quality" and oooooo  and aaaaaaahhhhhh over the
stupidest prints simply because they look like a technically well made print and
the photograph per say is quite frankly a piece of wasted visual shit!

Any moron can in time learn how to make zoned out prints and negatives! That
does not mean the photograph means a damn thing  as we have seen over the years,
as there are in any art situation, good, bad and ugly art photographers, as well
as the same in photojournalism photographers.

A suggestion on film. I don't know if you saw some earlier posts about the new
Kodak T400CN chromigenic film.  It is virtually grain less as it is processed by
colour neg labs. It is along the lines of the Ilford film, but far superior and
can be printed in your own B&W darkroom.

We did some promotion testing and lecture for Kodak Canada and did a
presentation in Vancouver about three weeks ago to pros. The biggest surprise
were the 30X40 prints that were brought out and set before them.

There was all kinds of wowing going on and then they were told each print was
from a 35mm negative and that just floored them.

It was a mass rush to the front of the lecture hall to have a real close look to
try and see the grain.

Many thought it was a promo stunt and that the prints were made from 4X5 and MF
negatives.

This maybe your answer to shooting the urban landscape and producing 4X5 looking
prints with the versatility of the Leica camera and lenses.

Have look, I think you'll be quite surprised.

The film can be rated from 100 to 800 without push processing and rated wherever
you want at any position on the roll with mix and match IS0 ratings.  It is a
very interesting film and easy to print in a personal B&W darkroom.

Hope this helps. The cool thing! Do a series and have the gallery accept them
for hanging and then tell them they were all from Leica glass!   A sort of
sticking it in their face! :)

Don't forget _"AFTER"_ they accept them! :)

ted