RE: [Leica] Digital back for Leica lenses

["Phong" <phong@doan-ltd.com>]

Sam, and others interested in digital,

Austin and Jim Brick are the resident experts on digital imaging technology.
I learn quite a few things from their posts on the subject, though I have been
wondering about Jim's relatively low presence.  Then just a short while ago, 
someone posted that he is actively on "something digital that would be 
of great interest to photographers", the nature of which he cannot divulge yet
(misquote entirely mine).

From my limited though serious practical experience with digital photography,
I affirm that  the equation of megapixel numbers versus film is incomplete.  
You really need to bring the medium and size of the final output into the 
equation.   

Even then, the equation is still very incomplete.  There are applications where digital 
would be a poor choice, pixel resolution not withstanding.  In my case, 
with my equipment (current Leica and Canon on film, vs. Canon 3 Mpixel 
digital SLR),  I have learned to avoid digital if possible when I want some 
highlight details, when I want certain B&W look, when I need to shoot at 
high ISO, especially in low-light, when I want long exposures (say 5 seconds 
or longer), especially in low-light, when I want to use low ISO (which means 50 
these days), when I want slides, when I know for sure I want prints 11x14 
or larger.  That looks like a long list, but account for less than 25% of my
photography in the last 12 months.  

Even at 3 Mpixels, print size 8x12 or smaller, I do not  decide 35mm film 
vs. digital based on image quality, or resolution.   I would use  medium format 
or 4x5 for that.   My best digital prints equal my best film prints.  And my worst
prints, well you don't want to look at them anyway.   I would be more than
happy to show my digital prints to any Luggers in the Boston or Montreal areas
(or Austin, or Bucharest, or NYC, or Reading, PA, which I visit several times a year)
In fact, if I ever meet you, I will insist :-)

And I am very happy now that I can use my Leica R lens with a digital camera:
http://www.pbase.com/image/7255136


- - Phong


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Sam Krneta
>
> Austin,
> ... 
> Does that mean that we are nearing a threshold in CCD development as it
> relates to size, using today's format benchmarks? At what resolution
> would the laws of physics start working against the 35mm format? Or at
> least the use of that format as a benchmark? Are we ever going to see 40
> megapixel CCDs based on the 35mm format? I once read that digital had to
> get to 40 megapixel to equal some of the finer grained 35mm films, mind
> you I read that quite a while ago, when we were still being amazed by 2
> megapixel cameras. Personally based on the quality I've seen using my 4,
> 5, and 6 megapixel cameras I'd guess that at 20 most film would have a
> hard time competing.
> ...
> BTW: How do you know so much about digital? Any good websites for
> someone to learn the basics, something like a CCD Design 101? 
> ...


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