Digital BW, The Print

Mel,
Well that is certainly one of the more interesting new camera's.. They are pretty impressive.. I'm sure that you'd be quite happy with it.. Plus have some fun.. A few things to think about.. These new sensors that are coming out with the higher MP rating will require us to make a greater effort to hold them still , I'm patiently waiting for two Nikon bodies.. and have already been going over pre release test files and prints from them.. One is a 36MP and the other 16MP.. So far the 16 MP is by far the better image.. Their is notably more noise in the 36 MP image and the captured tonality is much better in the smaller MP camera. So I'll be using the 36 in the studio locked down on a foba stand.. Both of these are FX chips.. The 36 is a Sony sensor and it wouldn't surprise me if the version that's in the Nex-7 is a downsized version of it.. So I don't know if your planning to hand hold or use a tripod.. I suggest that if your really after primo imagery you'll still need to lock that baby down which may or may not work for your shooting style..
So constructively given the image size you targeting you might be able to get by with less MP.. then 24.. say sweet 16 or 18 and that will give you more shooting freedom while taking care of your A3 size goal. I would see if you can get your hands on some files.. The hard part with that is you need something to compare it to unless you know what your looking for.. The other side of it is that these new guys are certainly better then our old tanks.... Anyway all I'm trying to say is that lots of MP isn't always the answer..... but it sure is nice .. 

jimbo
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mel 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:59 AM
  Subject: [Digital BW] The megapixel issue - "again" and other issues


    
  In striving for perfection this issue has again come to the surface and placed itself on my current agenda.

  My current SLR is an "old" Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n ay 13.5Mp. I have used this camera for many years mainly for studio work and to a lesser extent in the field. Reluctant to carry this monster when out and about and the consequent limited portfolio, I acquired a Nikon Coolpix P7000, 10Mp. I now use this exclusively, shooting RAW, editing in Photoshop CS and converting to B&W in Picture Window Pro. I re-size in PhotoZoom Pro 4 to A3, my size of choice and print using QTR on Epson Enhanced Matte and 7 day shop Matt paper. The prints from this combination are to me absolutely amazing.

  With the rapid advancement in camera technology and the raising of the bar with regard to the Mp issue (now at 24-35Mp) and more particularly, in my opinion, the "anti shake" technology, although the P7000 does have this latter innovation, I have been toying with the idea of upgrading to a higher Mp camera.

  Having studied the reviews of all the relevant cameras on offer, size being important, I have concluded that the Sony NEX-7, with the 18-200 lens would fulfil all my criteria, including the all important "anti shake" with its Optical Steady Shot (in the lens). The EVF with shooting information in the viewfinder and 100% image is far superior to the OVF of the P7000.

  I would appreciate members views on the above and whether the 10 to 24Mp upgrade is justified in view of my A3 B&W print size of choice 



  

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