[Leica] Re: Nikon's profits tripled

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

B. D. Colen said:
> Much as it pains me, Ted, I have to disagree on this one. If we were
> talking about silver prints v. quadtone inkjet prints, then, yes, the
> beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the question of whether a file
> from a 10mgp digital camera can equal the same image, exposed the same
> way, shot the same way, on film, can be measured objectively in terms of
> dynamic range, "Micro detail," contrast, etc. etc. <<<,

B.D.,
What I'm trying to get at here and given it's me I'll probably get this 
wrong one more time. ;-)

As much as I try to get by all the digital number stuff and just put it down 
to looking at a print and whether one likes it or not, I'm obviously still 
not making the right comparison.

I do understand the higher the megpixel sensor the better the print, colour 
or B&W should be? That's a reasonable and understanding thing. But I've seen 
prints from the Canon 20D with a higher pixel count and sensor size and they 
are very fine looking prints which I don't have any problem hanging on the 
wall in an exhibition if necessary.

And of course I have to add the 5mgp Digilux 2 still makes for a damn fine 
print at 12X18 inches as well. Yep I suppose if you put the 10mgp sensor 
print beside the Digilux one would see a major quality? difference? Maybe?

The point I was trying to make to Alistair was people are always comparing a 
print from film and the same picture shot on a digital camera, then 
comparing them side by each. And I feel this is like comparing apples and 
oranges or hell bananas, because they are different mediums of production so 
why would one want to make a comparison when you see them right beside each 
other? Sure they're going to look different why wouldn't they. But does that 
mean one is better because they "look different?"

However, take a look at the film print in one building, then go to another 
building and look at the digital print. Then tell me they wont look great as 
one looks at each on there own.

What seems to be the biggest problem with doing anything digital is the 
constant back and forth about bigger is better, RAW is better, JPEG isn't, 
sensor size, and it seems no one asks the simple question of.... "how do you 
like this photograph and print?"

Besides, who are the shooters and what do they want from their digital 
camera?  Super high end advertising pages, or family happy snaps 4X6 size? 
The other evening I did a slide presentation on sports photography.

However, the subject of digital came up and it was interesting to see the 
faces and hear the responses when I said......."Forget all the techie stuff 
set your camera on auto everything and go have fun taking pictures!" :-)

Like, "keep it simple stupid!" :-)

And one guy said , "that's the best damn advice this photo club has had on 
digital in 5 years as everyone else talks about pixel this, pixel size 
sensors, noise and all that stuff none of us ever understood." So I smiled 
and told them, "Don't feel you're alone, I don't understand it either and 
just set my digital Leica 2 on auto and have the best good fun shooting 
merrily along.  And I'm more than pleased with the enlargements." Everyone 
clapped.

However, sitting in the crowd were a couple of techie types, easy to tell, 
they just shook their heads at my advice along with making faces at my "KISS 
advice. :-) Loved it!. ;-) Screw them! ;-)

So mon ami did I make myself any clearer? Not likely. ;-) But hell I am 
having fun with the Digilux 2 and automatic everything. I can't believe I'm 
shooting in this manner after all these years of doing everything Leica 
manual! :-)

And it kind of looks like I'm not going to wait around for another half a 
year or so for the R8 digi back. Even that maybe 2006? I mean considering I, 
along with many others, waited three years for the R8 motor drive, and at 
this stage of my life I don't have time to wait for Leica to get their act 
together. So I'm going to get myself a Canon 20D and a few auto everything 
lenses. ;-) And an adapter for my Leica glass to use with it ! So there you 
go eh? ;-)

Hell, fire and damnation will come forth for admitting that! :-) :-) ;-) ;-)

ted