Re: [Leica] 30 x 40 shootout

["Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>]

Well done Duane,

you are and should be proud of your efforts. The result is proof positive
that the "Leica investment" was justified and well worth the expense. But
beyond that, we know that equipment is only part of the total. It is the one
behind the camera that makes it happen.

Te felicito con mucho gusto,
Joe Codispoti


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Birkey, Duane" <dbirkey@hcjb.org.ec>
To: "Leica Users (E-mail)" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 8:58 AM
Subject: [Leica] 30 x 40 shootout


> I finished up my project of 30 x 40 inch prints of our medical work in
> Ecuador this past week.
>
> For the project I used Leica M and Canon EOS and Fuji Superia 100 film.
>
> Unfortunately it isn't a scientific test since I didn't make duplicate
negs
> or prints of the same subject.... but with no surprise, the Leica M is the
> clear winner... Although the Canon stuff wasn't shabby especially in the
> center.
>
> The images shot with the 24mm elmarit were the best of the bunch for
overall
> sharpness.  The Lab guys were blown away by the results. I was blown away
by
> them.  I''ve never had any color work printed larger than 16x24 before and
> had pretty low expectations.  For two shots I used a tripod,  1/4 sec at
f/8
> to give overall views of our new ICU...I was amazed to be able to see
detail
> on medical charts and display panels that were not prominent in the image.
>
> 3 of the images were shot using available light with the 50 Summicron and
35
> Sumicron ASPH at 1/125 at f/2 or f/2.8...  I was amazed at how incredible
> they turned out.  Realize that these images were closeups of  doctors or
> chaplains and patients, so corners and edges are out of focus to begin
with.
> And most people will be attracted to the image content (roughly life size)
> without a thought of the technical aspect.... I'm certain that I would not
> have gotten the image content with medium format
>
> Why did I use Canon at all.... In one case, I climbed an 100 foot tower to
> take "aerial" pictures of our hospital.... Can you say Zoom. In another
case
> I was taking pictures in our medical caravan truck.... I needed something
> wider than my 24mm; more like a 17mm... and for the third one I needed a
> flash, motor and zoom due to small working area and since I was using one
> hand to hold small chimera lightbox.
>
> Both the EOS and Leica images look great from 5 or 6 feet, which is fine
> since most people will be looking at them from 10 or more. But the Leica
> ones really look great up close too.
>
> I have wondered from time to time whether it was worth the investment to
buy
> into the Leica M system...  After seeing these prints, I am certain it
> was.... but.... I still shudder to think how much money I've put in to it
so
> far.... (and I'm not done yet)
>
> Duane
>
> Duane's Photographs of Ecuador
> http://duane_birkey.tripod.com
>