Digital BW, The Print

> From: Austin Franklin [mailto:austin@...]
>
> I also hate digital cameras ;-) (not really, as I have a couple
> of MF backs
> I use in the studio quite a bit) as every time I go to use my small format
> ones, they have a battery problem...why on earth do they make
> them take AAs,
> yet they don't work on standard alkaline AAs...they *NEED*
> NiCADs...at least
> mine do...so I have to keep a set charged, or wait until they're
> charged...what a pain.  I almost got the DigiLux 2, but the LCD viewfinder
> is really poor...so until there is a full frame digital that is
> not the size
> of a house (or has an exceptional fixed FAST lense on it), and
> has a decent
> viewfinder, I'll stick to what I currently use for 35mm.
>
> What are you using?  The only one I'd consider right now is the 1Ds (and
> actually the Contax D1, though it's only 6MP, but that is really
> sufficient
> for what I shoot miniature format for), but it's (they are) just too bulky
> for me.  I'd really like to get one that is just monochrome...but
> understand
> the market is very limited for this.  I do have a monochrome one for the
> studio.

I've got a Canon D60 and a 10D, along with three Canon lenses. They use
lithium ion batteries, which last for hundreds of shots (at least without
flash), so they're quite convenient. DSLR technology isn't perfect, but I
think the picture quality is excellent. I lugged the pair up a steep trail
in Yosemite a couple days ago, and the weight was an annoyance, but no
worse. The 1Ds is way out of my range, as is the just-announced 1Ds Mark II
(16.7 megapixel).

I'm also such a computer nut that I prefer looking at pictures on my monitor
than on paper, so the convenience of getting double prints means nothing to
me. I only print what I intend to hang on the wall, or give away to friends,
which is only a tiny fraction of what I shoot.

I'd love a monochrome DSLR, too. It would be cool if someone could come up
with some witches' brew to wash the Bayer filter off a standard sensor. I'd
be happy to dedicate one DSLR body to B&W and IR.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...