Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/04/27

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Subject: [Leica] digital transformation
From: richard-lists at imagecraft.com (Richard)
Date: Wed Apr 27 23:44:06 2005
References: <000001c54b9a$e92b4120$6401a8c0@dorysrusp4> <4d8242f7eded687b58b131b7764fd13e@shaw.ca> <029901c54bac$2802afd0$0400a8c0@robertbxucevjs>

Bob, you realized that B.D. has done a test with B&W wet print vs. HP7960 
B&W print and he claims the results are different but comparable right?

While I don't do wet prints, my 7960 B&W do look quite gorgeous....

At 09:38 PM 4/27/2005, you wrote:


>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
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Leica Users Group.
>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>

// richard (This email is for mailing lists. To reach me directly, please 
use richard at imagecraft.com) 


Replies: Reply from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] digital transformation)
In reply to: Message from dorysrus at mindspring.com (Don Dory) ([Leica] digital transformation)
Message from jbcollier at shaw.ca (John Collier) ([Leica] digital transformation)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] digital transformation)