Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]A friend just sent me an article from the Associated Press about a new development (ha ha) by Agfa that could change the digital/film race for a very long time. I can't reproduce it here becuase it's a copyrighted article. Up to this point one of the weaknesses of film is its inefficient use of the electrons that photons knock around in film. Most of them go back to their spot of origin and don't contribute to the image. But Agfa has found that adding a chemical causes the electrons to stay where the photon knocks them to. This means nearly 100 percent efficiency in the silver halides that were struck by light between exposure and development. Kodak has said they've been working on similar processes, but think it will be hard to make such a film. But it will happen, you can bet. The major problem for some reason is reproducing red light. So black and white will probably come first. What it means is very good low light film with very high quality and fine grain! So the future of film is looking very good, and could set digital back on it's schedule to derail film as the preferred medium for photography for a very long time. And I'm just fine with that. - -- Eric Welch Carlsbad, CA http://www.neteze.com/ewelch Cynicism often masquerades for sophistication in our society, but more often than not it's merely an indicator of resentment.