graham_rowe

I do quite a lot of landscape work using a Mamiya RZ67. Like the

rest of the world I would dearly like to cut down on tripod weight

without compromising picture quality and was interested to read about

the new Manfrotto carbon fibre tripods (particularly the three

section option). It certainly is light but my worry would be whether

it would be sturdy enough for the RZ67 - or would the Gitzo 1329 be a

better (if not more expensive) bet.

Any thoughts or sharing of the benefits of experience would be very

much appreciated.

Graham Rowe

I regularly use Fuji Velvia with my Mamiya RZ67 and am always

delighted with the vibrancy and sharpness of the transparencies.

I have had a number of transparencies printed using the Cibachrome or

Ilfochrome method. I expected some fall off from the original

transparencies as you can with any prints compared with slides.

I have been particularly disappointed however with the lack of

sharpness and tonal range of the Cibachrome prints I have received

back. I have tried a number of reputable printing houses but the

results have to all intents and purposes been the disappointing same.

Have I been plain unlucky or is what I have described a problem with

Cibachrome? The quality is definitely there in the transparencies

and I have not chosen transparencies of extremely high contrast.

Am I doing an injustice to Cibachrome?