Sean Moran
Established
I was in Madrid for the first time, a few weeks ago.
One evening, near the Prado museum, I took a photograph with a 1956 Leica M3 + Rigid Summicron 50. The sun was at a low angle, illuminating a fountain beautifully as its rays passed through an avenue of trees - contre jour.
Immediately, I resolved to return the next evening at the same time, bringing along a newly-acquired 1955 Rolleicord, with a very clean Xenar lens.
So I did.
On my return to Tipperary, Ireland (a long way), I printed up both of the photographs and asked a few random friends and colleagues which one they preferred.
Every single person preferred the Leica photograph. All had different reasons, but their choice was unanimous.
Now, as I said, this was not a scientific text. Apart from the scene being pretty much the same on both evenings, and the paper being glossy Ilford Multigrade, there were many confounding variables. The Leica contained Tri-X; the Rolleicord HP5+. The Leica negative was printed through a Leica lens; the Rolleicord through a Schneider Componon.
But, it did tell me that I needn't take a Rolleicord on international trips to photograph the kinds of things that the TLR is reputed to be good at (scenes), as well as the rangefinder for things that it is good at (street). The Leica is good enough for both.
What, then, is the Rolleicord for?
Suggestions welcome.
Sean.
One evening, near the Prado museum, I took a photograph with a 1956 Leica M3 + Rigid Summicron 50. The sun was at a low angle, illuminating a fountain beautifully as its rays passed through an avenue of trees - contre jour.
Immediately, I resolved to return the next evening at the same time, bringing along a newly-acquired 1955 Rolleicord, with a very clean Xenar lens.
So I did.
On my return to Tipperary, Ireland (a long way), I printed up both of the photographs and asked a few random friends and colleagues which one they preferred.
Every single person preferred the Leica photograph. All had different reasons, but their choice was unanimous.
Now, as I said, this was not a scientific text. Apart from the scene being pretty much the same on both evenings, and the paper being glossy Ilford Multigrade, there were many confounding variables. The Leica contained Tri-X; the Rolleicord HP5+. The Leica negative was printed through a Leica lens; the Rolleicord through a Schneider Componon.
But, it did tell me that I needn't take a Rolleicord on international trips to photograph the kinds of things that the TLR is reputed to be good at (scenes), as well as the rangefinder for things that it is good at (street). The Leica is good enough for both.
What, then, is the Rolleicord for?
Suggestions welcome.
Sean.
