Discussion
I agree digital has got nowhere near medium format in terms of resolution, and some still prefer the 'softer' feel one gets with 35 mm - but up to 15" x 12" there is not a bloke on the planet that could tell (via the resolution) whether a print was taken with a top drawer digital slr or a film slr. There *IS* of course a big difference, but one can't see it with the human eye. I guess if one is enlarging beyond that size then film is still needed.
Transparancies are another matter (but I've always found them a hassle).
The big difference is that it costs a lot more to buy a digi camera body!
Am finally selling my last film camera - just never gets used these days - shot a roll on holiday recently and got one or two decent photos from a roll of 24 - and didn't know it till 2 weeks after I returned - forgot what a pain film was
>> Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 31st March 08:12
Transparancies are another matter (but I've always found them a hassle).
The big difference is that it costs a lot more to buy a digi camera body!
Am finally selling my last film camera - just never gets used these days - shot a roll on holiday recently and got one or two decent photos from a roll of 24 - and didn't know it till 2 weeks after I returned - forgot what a pain film was
>> Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 31st March 08:12
GetCarter said:
I guess if one is enlarging beyond that size [10*15] then film is still needed.
I guess that depends upon whether you think 35mm is good enough at that size and above. My girlfriend's mother (wedding and portrait photographer) won't use 35mm if there's any need for enlargements above about 10*8 or so and uses 645 instead.
When you look at it like that (as I tend to do, but I'm just a beginner
) you could argue that there's no longer a need for film 35mm - digital where you would have used 35mm and medium or large format for the rest. And that's before you even start to consider whether utility and convenience is worth sacrificing quality a little.
GetCarter said:
I agree digital has got nowhere near medium format in terms of resolution
Depends how much money you want to throw at it. Ignoring digital backs for medium format cameras, which easily surpass 35mm film quality, the Canon 1ds will give medium format film a run for it's money.
www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/shootout.shtml
and argued about extensively here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=69336&f=109&h=0
I believe that the quality of a top spec DSLR (Canon 1Ds for example) surpases that of even the finest grained 35mm film (Fuji Velvia 50 for example), scanned on a decent film scanner.
I also think the differences between the DSLR and Medium Format film are very small, except when you need to print very large prints where the extra size of Medium Format gives it an advantage.
Some reviews I've seen are:
Canon 1Ds vs 35mm file
Canon 1Ds vs Medium Format
Canon 1Ds vs 35mm and M/F
When you also consider the convenience of digital, and the fact that a DSLR is much more portable and easier to use than a M/F camera, then there aren't many reasons to stick with film - except for price...
I for one will be going for a Canon DSLR as soon as I can afford one (the new 1D Mk II looks like it's going to be a fantastic camera, and is almost as good as the 1Ds for 2/3 of the price).
I also think the differences between the DSLR and Medium Format film are very small, except when you need to print very large prints where the extra size of Medium Format gives it an advantage.
Some reviews I've seen are:
Canon 1Ds vs 35mm file
Canon 1Ds vs Medium Format
Canon 1Ds vs 35mm and M/F
When you also consider the convenience of digital, and the fact that a DSLR is much more portable and easier to use than a M/F camera, then there aren't many reasons to stick with film - except for price...
I for one will be going for a Canon DSLR as soon as I can afford one (the new 1D Mk II looks like it's going to be a fantastic camera, and is almost as good as the 1Ds for 2/3 of the price).
I think it's pretty obvious which way the wind is blowing. My g/f was recently at a travel journalist/photographer forum where the pros were involved in a heated debate as to whether digital was yet an adequate subtitute for 35mm. Seems many magazines still require you to submit top end Fuji slides, but some are beginning to accept digital too and there are pros in demand who will only submit digital.
A great photo is the result of what you do with the camera and how you print it in pretty much equal part. Most amateurs do not have access to an enlarger so you are in the hands of Snappy Snaps to print your cherished photos. Digital gives you the opportunity to process the image to the nth degree.
A great photo is the result of what you do with the camera and how you print it in pretty much equal part. Most amateurs do not have access to an enlarger so you are in the hands of Snappy Snaps to print your cherished photos. Digital gives you the opportunity to process the image to the nth degree.
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