Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/04/23

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Subject: [Leica] Nikon D800E vs. D800
From: imagist3 at mac.com (George Lottermoser)
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:06:59 -0500
References: <003b01cd20cc$fa879860$ef96c920$@poly.edu> <CBBA1501.1D695%mark@rabinergroup.com> <20120422202636.26bf4a0e@linux-pfy5.site> <CA+yJO1AbGJqs-tL+R-JpeX3uYuNESOS-j07fk5jfv3xPoqyiZw@mail.gmail.com> <47D6E32F-3C5B-4D77-89CD-02A5D0882AF5@mac.com> <CAH1UNJ3QSNFE2W3RambMWnFpFk1m9-dce0fYTNPquetkCZQG0w@mail.gmail.com>

On Apr 23, 2012, at 12:39 PM, Jayanand Govindaraj wrote:

> George,
> How big a print do you need before all this becomes apparent?

I think this question, as with most such issues, becomes a bit subjective 
Jayanand.

I can often see differences between systems - even in posted .jpg.
I certainly see differences when viewing RAW images from various camera 
systems.

When we're talking about "prints"
the subjectivity becomes even more abstract;
as the opportunity to compare prints is far more rare than
comparing screen images.
Different printers, papers, drivers, software,
different photographers, different processing workflows, different camera 
systems.

In the end it comes down to the visual "feel" of a photograph
whether inkjet print or screen image.

Each system has its strong points and weak points.

I suspect that my own, personal and subjective inclinations
have a lot to do with growing up (from age 14) in a commercial studio
where 8x10 Ektachromes were the primary product.
Looking at those 'chromes on the light table
was, magically, pretty much like looking at reality itself.
It's probably why I lust after medium format.

While some consider "pixel peeping" irrelevant
I still find great pleasure in "seeing" what the system delivered;
and find that the more the system delivers
the more I can "do" with it;
the more flexibility I have to "interpret" the "score."
(as Ansel may have said).

The fact that a "difference" may not be evident
in a 5x7, 8x10 or even 11x14 print
is not the issue for me.
More at issue in my day to day photo-reality is:
How much can I crop and still retain fine detail?
How much can I open the shadows without visually distracting noise?
Do the textures and surfaces appear "real" or "synthetic"
whether on screen or in print?

and of course
everyone's mileage will vary
;~)

Regards,
George Lottermoser 
george at imagist.com
http://www.imagist.com
http://www.imagist.com/blog
http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist







In reply to: Message from alal at poly.edu (Akhil Lal) ([Leica] Nikon D800E vs D800)
Message from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] Nikon D800E vs. D800)
Message from photo.forrest at earthlink.net (Phil Forrest) ([Leica] Nikon D800E vs. D800)
Message from images at comporium.net (Tina Manley) ([Leica] Nikon D800E vs. D800)
Message from imagist3 at mac.com (George Lottermoser) ([Leica] Nikon D800E vs. D800)
Message from jayanand at gmail.com (Jayanand Govindaraj) ([Leica] Nikon D800E vs. D800)