Re: [Leica] salgado lenses

[Tina Manley <images@InfoAve.Net>]

At 12:42 AM 6/1/99 -0300, you wrote:
>Some days ago a friend of mine asked me about the leica equipment used by
>Sebastiao Salgado. I knew that he used both M and R systems but I have no
>info about the lenses. According to his photos he seems to respect HCB
>tradition and to avoid extreme focal distances (no 28, no 200mm) Does
>anybody have further information not only about the Focal distances but also
>about the lens models?
>
>Thanks
>carlos


Here is what Salgado said in an interview by Mark Harris in the November,
1992, issue of Camera and Darkroom:

SS:  I carry my film in a backpack that can handle around 220 rolls of
film, enough for two or three months.  I use the old plastic boxes for
slides to store the film.  I put nine boxes of five rolls per row, and
there are five rows.  I used to roll my own film, but not anymore.  I shoot
Tri-X and now this fantastic film, T-Max 3200.  Shooting indoors and in
low-light istuations with it is marvelous.  I now have the perfect freedom
of movement for a photographer.  I can shoot inside and outside in the same
way.  I've pushed this film to 12,800 before.  It's a great film.
C&D:  What type of camera equipment do you bring with you?
SS:  Ninety-five percent of the time I use 28mm, 35mm and 60mm lenses
mounted on three Leica bodies.   I don't like to change lenses.  I know
these cameras and my film like the lines of my hand.
C&D:  What about a flash?
SS:  I had a small flash a few years ago until they came out with the T-Max
3200.  It was a Vivitar 283. I never work with a flash anymore or with
formats other than 35mm.
C&D:  Do you still shoot color?
SS:  Many years ago it was necessary, because it was not possible for me to
make a living shooting only black-and-white.  But once it was possible to
live on my black-and-white, I stopped shooting color.  I don't see the
world in color.  I don't pay attention to color and that's not good if
you're shooting in color.  There are many photographers that shoot color
well, but it's not for me.
C&D:  What does black-and-white do for you that color doesn't?
SS:  It's quieter, subtler.  Since I work a lot in the darkroom, I can
reproduce what I felt while I was shooting.  Color is too real, too crude.
Black and white allows you to have a degree of imagination.

This is a very good interview, ten pages long with photos.

None of my Leica books list a 60mm lens.   There was a 65 that was
discontinued.  Does anybody know anything about the 60mm lens?

Leically,

Tina




Tina Manley, ASMP
http://www.tinamanley.com/