Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/04/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]John, I think you have identified exactly what is most important. I have just been going through a stack of B&W 8x10's of mine from the last three years, or so. These are just first prints, or file or work prints, but their quality is just overwhelming -- the detail and the tonal range are outstanding, and I've never gotten a B&W digital print that is anywhere near as good. Not from my D70 or from a scanned Leica negative, not even on my Epson C86 printer with the MIS carbon black and gray inks. The quality of output of film cameras is just in another orbit from digital. Your second criterion is even more tilted in favor of film, if that is possible. No digital camera has the qualities in the hand and up to the eye that a Leica has, or even a Hexar RF, or a Nikon FM2. This is very, very important for getting a good picture in the first place. So the two things go hand in hand and the result is, IMHO, much better pictures. Bob > For me two things matter: the quality of the output and the user > interface. I use M cameras because they suit the way I see period. I am > only loyal to Leica in that they are the only ones providing what I need. > 99% of my output is projected slide and projected digital is just not > there yet quality wise. It will get there eventually and, if Leica comes > out with a M digital, I will seriously weigh the options. For one thing > present digital projectors, even with their relatively poor quality > output, are extremely expensive to buy and maintain. Sure film and > processing are expensive but have you priced out replacement bulbs for > digital projectors?!! > > John Collier > > On 27-Apr-05, at 8:35 PM, Don Dory wrote: > >> In the almost five years I have been participating on the LUG, there has >> been a rather dramatic shift in conversation. When I first started >> paying attention, this was definitely a gear head discussion, we were >> very interested in Marc's book on LTM lenses, long treatises on small >> differences in the 50's, scotch religious wars, Tilley hats and more. >> >> In the last year the transformation to primarily digital has been >> profound; actual Leica discussion has dropped to a very minor part. >> Even film based discussion is a minority. >> >> I understand that for many, the tool does not matter. Nathan, B.D., >> Ted, Tina, Sonny, and many others have made the transition to digital an >> easy move. Strangely enough, for me, the tool does matter: I get along >> fine with a variety of cameras and formats but an M or a SL becomes an >> extension of my eye more so than any other photographic tool. While I >> respect the need of the professional to streamline workflow, speed up >> the billing process, or just plain know they have the shot in the bag, I >> find great joy in going over new negatives or slides; love the >> serendipity when the combination of chemistry and accident create >> wonderful images far more that looking at an LCD. >> >> So I guess what I am really wondering is, how many of us on the list are >> somewhat nostalgic for film, or have genuinely embraced the digital >> revolution? >> >> Don > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >