[Leica] the future happened yesterday

[nathan.wajsman at planet.nl (Nathan Wajsman)]

I agree with B.D. regarding the learning curve. I have only started 
shooting digitally this year, but I have not had a darkroom since 1996 
or 97--all my prints since then have been produced using the computer, 
whether from scanned film or now digitally captured images.

With scanned B&W film, my conclusion is that while a really skilled 
"wet" printer can undoubtedly make a better print than what is possible 
in the digital darkroom, *I* cannot. In other words, my prints from the 
computer are superior to the prints I used to make with my Beseler 
enlarger. And when it comes to color prints, there is no contest.

Nathan

B. D. Colen wrote:

> 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
>>
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> 
> 
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-- 
Nathan Wajsman
Almere, The Netherlands

General photography: http://www.nathanfoto.com
Seville photography: http://www.fotosevilla.com