Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Sorry to disagree, Scott, but the learning curve involved in turning out really high quality black and white digital prints is no steeper than the learning curve involved in turning out really high quality silver prints from film. In fact, it may be less steep. For some reason I don't get allot of people are cowed by the fact that turning out the digital prints involves using a computer and mastering some Photoshop skills. I say I don't get it because I've done it, and I've done it on my own, without courses, despite the fact that I'm not some computer-raised Gen-Xer, I'm a 58-year-old old fart who grew up souping tri-x in the kitchen. Yes, I still love film - and my Ms. And in some weird ways I wish digital had never come along - at least for b&w (I can't conceive of now even thinking about using film for color work - digital just eliminates too damn many problems to not be the obvious choice.) But I do love black and white film...but I find I can get essentially the same look using digital now. B. D. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Scott McLoughlin Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 5:34 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] the future happened yesterday Emanuel Lowi wrote: > My trusty dealer tells me that he now sells 3x worth > of Sandisk memory cards vs. film, daily. > Who feels like some luddisaurus trapped in a Jurassic > tar pond? -----CUT----- So many thoughts. (1) I buy all my film online mail order. Lots cheaper and bigger variety. Same for almost all of my gear. I never really think about it, but I guess lots of folks must be keeping retailers in business. (2) I have a D70, and it hasn't bowled me over yet. If I had to choose between the D70 and FP4+ and about any decent manual camera (just for example, souped some yesterday), the FP4+ would win hands down - for me. To my eye, the images are just so much lovelier. (3) I don't know about the same comparison with Reala or NPH, my color films of choice right now. I don't shoot all that much color, and I'm not much of a slide film shooter. Again, I don't usually think about it, but I guess most camera-wielding folks shoot color. Maybe digital is more attractive here if you get the white balance down just right. (4) After many decades (more than I am old), is the notion of achieving some kind of "ultimate quality" from a small format camera now unimportant. Was this idea just some kind of accident of technology and economics? PJ work is shot for cheaply printed magazines or newspapers. In my own lifetime, consumers have flocked to Instamatics, Polaroid, 126 and APS format cameras. I remember when my dad bought me a Canonet as a not so well-healed boy - Wow, a "real" camera using 35mm film! I guess I get a bit of the same tingle using my Leica M6 today :-) But maybe digital is letting us know that "good enough and cheap" is the real driving principle of small format photography? I don't know. I, for one, kinda like my M6. (5) I don't have too many romantic memories of using film or anything. But right now, a good composition, decent lighting and a good exposure will yield a negative that a (vanishing, yes) good lab can turn into a beautiful, nicely enlarged print. I've read this is possible with good "digital darkroom" skills, but the learning curve and time commitment is very steep. What about folks that just can't master the intricate digital workflow process? A good lab is a real partner in producing images. (6) Just thoughts and worries that maybe some of the more experience folks on this list might help me sort out. Might medium format or large format photography be a better "safe haven" than small format for folks who want commercial support in producing lasting, high quality images? Is there any safe haven? Scott >Emanuel Lowi >Montreal > >______________________________________________________________________ >Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca >_______________________________________________ >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