Digital BW, The Print

Hi Keith,

> I use a 1Ds and in some of my direct comparisons with scanned B/W
> film I feel there is
> more 'real' detail from the digital route.

You may "feel" that way, but it's simply not reality, unless something is
wrong with the film method you are comparing to.  Now, don't take that to
mean that the images from a 1Ds can't be superb, most certainly they can be.

> I've had numerous 1Ds images printed at about 27"x16" where I'm
> quite happy with the
> level of detail. Most people who buy prints don't turn up with a
> magnifying glass.

I guess it's a matter of "apparent" detail, vs, real detail (as in detail
that was in the original scene, or image fidelity).  Most people don't go
back to the original scene to see what detail is real, and what is made
up...so unless you do the analysis on the basis of *true* image fidelity,
digital images can certainly appear to have detail.  Fact is, some people
prefer the less detail, and sharper edges that are derived from digital
images.  Cartoons have nice crisp lines, and can appear to have a lot of
crisp detail as well ;-)

If you are printing a 1Ds image with one of the edges being 27", and the
long edge of the sensor is ~4,500 sensors across (not counting the Bayer
pattern reconciliation, which in reality decreases the color fidelity
substantially, but luckily, color isn't that important), you would only have
166 pixels/inch to print with, which is barely below the low end of the
acceptable scale (which is typically 180)...so I do believe you get prints
of that size, without any "rezzing up", that appear reasonably good from a
distance...and providing you shoot at one of the lower ISO settings,
somewhat high shutter speed and/or use a tripod.  Though, at 166 PPI to
print with, you may see a bit pixelation...though that doesn't mean the
image can't be a great image.

> I'd also note that many who would take the magnifying glass to
> the prints often fall into
> the 'talk about it, but don't actually do it' category ;-) :-)

That category would not be one I fall in, or even close to.

Regards,

Austin