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

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Subject: Re: 35mm vs. MF and Motors, Winders, Handgrips, & Tripods
From: KEN_GERLACH@HP-SantaClara-om12.om.hp.com
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 97 19:44:26 -0700

     Jim offered some very interesting data on heart beat vibration and 
     its' effect on hand held cameras with consequent loss of sharpness.  I 
     have one question about a comment he offered: 
     
     >A few days ago, there was a discussion about making large display 
     >prints from 35mm (vs MF). Everyone should realize that hand holding a 
     >camera at anything less than perhaps 1000th sec shutter speed will 
     >result in reduced image quality. And to use those very fast speeds, 
     >you cannot use fine grain (slow) film. So a tripod is of extreme 
     >importance if your goal is to produce large gallery style display 
     >prints.
     
     Why can you not use "very fast speeds with fine grain (slow film)" for 
     good image quality?
     
     I had run a test of a 50mm Nikon lens with a MF Pentax 67 and the only 
     difference I could see under identical conditions (same image capture 
     on Kodak Tech Pan ASA25, on tripods, same light/speed settings, 
     processing, enlargement to 16x20) was a smoother tonality in light  
     areas for the MF produced image but only noticeable close-up.  In 
     comparison, the 35mm held up equally well in sharpness and contrast.  
     
     Any experience from Luggers on selling M6 enlargements to galleries?  
     How well are they received.  Does the Medium and Large format snobbery 
     set in and prevent serious consideration for those 35mm prints?  Is 
     there more preference for sharpness over the capture of light in 
     unique ways that is preferred?
     
     Ken