8/09/2005

More tests

dave beckerman photography

Not a completely fair test since it wasn't on a tripod with cable release, but if you look under the "Newport pleasure" I put a black box. Below is a crop from that at full resolution:

dave beckerman photography

Shot at f4 with the R2A and Bessa 40 f1.4

Film: TMAX 400. Developed in TMAX Developer.

The cab below was shot at f1.4 with the Bessa lens:

dave beckerman photography

dave beckerman photography

Not too shoddy for an informal handheld test at f1.4 / 250th sec. (as I remember it). One other point - the negatives actually look sharper viewed with my loupe on a lightbox, which is to say that they do need some sharpening after the scan. These got "very little sharpening" - just enough for the web - not for printing. One other point, the box on the left side of the cab by the edge of the car is as sharp as anything off to the right, which is also a good sign.

3 comments:

SteveR said...

Dave - these shots are very revealing!

As a former old-rangefinder user, I think it's remarkable how the rangefinder has made such a comeback.

I'd like to think that us Commie Camera nuts (Zorkis, FEDs, and Kievs) has a little to do with it,) but Mr. Kobiyashi deserves the lion's share of the credit.

Good luck in your transition to "half-digital" :-)

Dave Beckerman said...

Steve - The Empire Strikes Back! You may have lead the way, unknowingly with the Commie Camera Club!

SteveR said...

If only I could find a digital back for my 1964 Kiev 4a!

The irony is while I was one of the staunchest Commie Camera Comrades, my Glorious Soviet rangefinders now just sit on my shelves.

I've gone totally digital, and I don't see any return for me, short of "re-education" (with which I've been threatened by my Comrades.)

BTW, have you been at http://rangefinderforum.com ? It's been around for about 2 years; now that your a confirmed Bessa shooter, you'll find plenty of company there.

Best regards,
SteveR