Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The issue of 35mm vs. larger format image quality is a very old one as we all know. However, I can speak from my own experience over 40 years of picture taking in all formats up to 8X10. All other factors being equal, larger format = more of everything - gradation, sharpness, etc. However, properly done 35mm can produce extraordinarily rewarding images. For me, it is a real pleasure to tease the last drop of information out of the 35mm format. And, as Erwin has pointed out, line pairs/mm is not the sole criterion in that excersize. Over the years I have owned extensive systems in Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Mamiya 6x7 formats. My impression based on fairly well-controlled comparisons was/is that Leica slides are more pleasing to my eyes. They have more depth with wonderful rendition in the shadow areas. Of course, as Eric states, that aspect of Leica photography exists whether or not the camera is hand-held. However, if detail rendering is the goal, then a tripod is a must. I have a friend who spend most of his time looking at negatives through a loupe. He even brings a magnifying glass to look at my prints. The point is that the beautiful shadings and subtleties that most Leica lenses produce are clearly observable to me and my acquaintances who appreciate photo images. Bob Figlio