[Leica] Crisp looking images

["Rodgers, David" <david.rodgers@xo.com>]

Bob

>>Wanta sell your Zig? Will it work on a Beseler 45 MXT? Does it have
directions
on using on a Beseler?<<

Sorry. I can't live without it now. I found the Zigalign used a while back.
Never seen one used before. Another victim of the digital darkroom perhaps.


Long story short, it's taken my printing to another level. Over the years
I've tried numerious enlarging lenses, and more film developer combinations
than I care to count. I can't recall anything that's had as much impact as
precise enlarger aligment. For years I thought that I'd done a decent job of
aligning my Aristo equiped D2 with sight and a level. Apparently not. 

To be honest, I think enlarger aligment has becomes more critical as my
other tools -- including Leica lenses and modern films -- and techniques
have improved. Alignment is another link in the photographic chain. I knew
it was important. It was a major topic of discussion years ago on the old
Compuserve Photo Forum. It never hit home until I finally used the Zigalign.


To the naysayers who dismiss the importance of using the finest lenses
because they exceed a persons technique, they may have a point. However, I
think materials and technique have a cumulative effect on the final outcome.
The bigger the print, the more important the tools and techniques. As I
recall, it was a projected K25 slide that first sold me on the quality of
Leica glass.   

Dave