Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/01/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Color accuracy, much better quality at ISO 1,600 and 3200 (compared to color film, not black and white), less reciprocity failure with ultra-long exposures. I say color accuracy, but just yesterday, I found a color that not only film, but digital can't render right. I photographed a pariba tourmaline. The color is a very intense blue/green that is highly prized. Actually, you see the two colors depending on which angle the facets are in relation to the light. (We call it pleochroism.) The stone was nicely cut, no inclusions, and it was almost 7 carats - at about $20,000 per carat. Gorgeous. But I could NOT get my Canon D60 to get it right. And one of the best gem photographers doesn't seem to be able to do it with film either if any past photos I've seen are evidence. Photoshop at 16 bits couldn't get it right either, holding the stone up to the computer screen. The color is simply outside the gamut of any photographic process I have access to. Some things are just not possible with any medium. They all have limits. And in some ways, digital actually produces superior photos. In other ways they don't. You have to see it and judge for yourself if you like it and it serves your purpose. Or whether film might be better. That's the fun of being an amateur photographer. Economics doesn't have to enter into it! I still have a fondness for the black and white photos that lenses and films/chemicals from the 40s and 50s produced. The work of Cartier-Bresson, Kertresz, Erwitt, Gene Smith. Those are the photographers I got to know first of all. (And many others - Ansel Adams, etc.) They shaped my vision of what good photography is. And so I guess I should be shooting with old Leicas and new digitals. But where do I find 40 year old Tri-X? :-) You have to see it in real life. But in most cases, digital cameras give me much more accurate color. And the best way to get it? Drape a coffee filter over the lens, open up a stop and a half and take a shot and do a custom white balance. :-) I guess it's because coffee filters are bleached? No real idea why it works. Eric Welch Carlsbad, CA http://www.jphotog.com There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman... neither works. - Will Rogers. On Jan 31, 2004, at 6:21 PM, sam wrote: > I don't understand why you say digital outperforms film. In what way? > > Sam S > > > Jim Laurel wrote: >> Well, I can't speak for other DSLRs, but in my experience, the Canon >> 1Ds and >> 10D outperform film at every ISO rating. I am a long-tom Noctilux >> user, but >> after using these cameras for a while, I must admit that I now reach >> for the >> DSLRs for shooting low light. It has to be said, though, that the >> Noctilux >> still produces a look you cannot get anywhere else. >> Now, I know someone will say that you can't tell much from a 640px >> long jpg, >> but here are some snaps: >> Ali in his tent near Mhamid, Maroc. Canon 1Ds with EF 70-200 f2.8 IS >> USM (a >> truly amazing lens) -- 1/25th sec @ f2.8 ISO 400 >> http://www.spectare.com/gallery/Maroc%2003%20Gallery/source/ >> 20cw1382.htm >> My kids by firelight. Canon 10D with EF 35mm f2.0 -- 1/20th sec @ >> f2.0 ISO >> 800 >> http://www.spectare.com/gallery/Maroc%2003%20Gallery/source/ >> crw_4446.htm >> Essouira Medina. Canon 10D with EF 35mm f2.0 - 1/125 @ f2.0 ISO 1600 >> http://www.spectare.com/gallery/Maroc%2003%20Gallery/source/ >> crw_4557.htm >> My friend Martin Field lit by a single candle. Canon 10D with EF 35mm >> f2.0 -- 1/15 sec @ f2.0 ISO 1600 >> http://www.spectare.com/gallery/Maroc%2003%20Gallery/source/ >> crw_4572.htm >> Digital is cool, no doubt. >> --Jim >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "animal" <s.jessurun95@chello.nl> >> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> >> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 2:59 PM >> Subject: [Leica] digital in low light >>> Hi from what i read every where,a 10+megapixel camera will do better >>> resolution wise then a slow film. >>> Do any of you know of a link or publication that explains at what >>> iso >> the >>> crossover is to 35mm,s film better performance. >>> A friend of mine who does pro sport showed me some low light stuff >>> made >>> with his top Canon and it was allmost scary. >>> Please tell me there is some use left in my Noctilux. >>> Thanks >>> simon jessurun >>> p.s not that i will ever sell it or the M3 that was adjusted for it >>> >>> -- >>> To unsubscribe, see >>> http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html >> -- >> To unsubscribe, see >> http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html