Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/05/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I tried a comparison between my Mamiya 7 with its exceptional 43mm and 80mm prime lenses with pictures shot at the same time with a Canon EOS 1Ds MkII. The scans, on a Nikon Coolscan 8000, did not give substantially sharper files from the 6x7 Mamiya transparencies than the Canon files, though they have noticeably more detail. They were much bigger and the grain was more pronounced. It is the graininess of film which is its biggest shortcoming compared to digital IME. Some have obviously become so familiar with the grainy look of film images that digital looks strange. To me digital looks more real - grain can be used to artistic effect if required but is nevertheless an imperfection IMO. Purely on grain comparison film was inferior to my Canon D30, my first digital SLR and 3.3 megapixels. Not as high resolution as film but a much more realistic look for me. I only use film since 2002 for fun, the results are inferior. I would say on a large sensor camera 35mm film was surpassed overall at 6 megapixels, although a 6 megapixel P&S does not have the low grain of the larger sensor and is inferior to film. Resolution is only part of the equation, the low grain, colour accuracy and dynamic range are all better IME in large sensor digital than the 35mm films I have used. The M8 is way better for photographs than 35mm film. I am sure using high res B&W 25asa film with a tripod mounted M6 higher resolution can be extracted from film than M8 - so if this is your thing, stick to film - if you want nicer prints you should have gone digital years ago :-) Frank On 9 May, 2007, at 03:28, Walt Johnson wrote: > Tina > > I can't recall the source but read film would rate at 12-15 MP? The > handwriting is,no doubt, on the wall for film but I cannot see > spending 5000 dollars for an M8. Perhaps I'll last long enough to > see the M10 or 12 with a 24x36 sensor. I'd not be anxious to spend > the kind of money we do for Leica glass and not get optimum results. > > Walt > Tina Manley wrote: >> At 06:33 PM 5/8/2007, you wrote: >>> At this point in our image capture methodology film still has a >>> quality edge, right? >>> Walt >> >> No! Not for quite awhile now. The files from the Canon 5D and >> 1DsMII are at least equivalent to medium format film and usually >> considered better. They passed 35mm when digital cameras were >> able to capture over 6MP. Of course, it's a matter of opinion, >> but most who have used both agree. >> >> http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/shootout.shtml >> >> Tina >> >> Tina Manley, ASMP, NPPA >> http://www.tinamanley.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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