Digital BW, The Print

Steve,
I just downloaded QTR, so I can't comment on BW output yet (I don't 
print BW using the epson driver on my 2200)
I can tell you the Canon 1Ds is capable of amazing results.  To 
really make it shine, you need to really dig in and learn it's faults 
like shadow noise, etc.  It also requires careful image capture to 
see it's capabilities.  Using a sturdy tripod, mirror lockup and good 
lens, I have captured stunning detail and tone.  I like to get the 
exposure correct to better than 1/2 stop, so I bracket a lot.
Processing is very important, I use and like Capture-1 with no 
sharpening.  I do all sharpening by hand in PS using tools like 
PhotoKit Sharpener.  I spend a lot of time doing this, so it does not 
work for batch process.  If I want really big prints, I res-up the 
unsharpened image using pyramid interpolation in Qimage to 360dpi at 
print size, before doing sharpening in PS.
The largest print I have is 26x40 inches from a Chromira, and in my 
eye, it's equal or better than what I got from my Bronica 645.  The 
biggest concern I have is only having one body, and the cost makes me 
take that risk.

john

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Steve Kale 
<stevekale@b...> wrote:
> In short - yes.  It is all the same stuff.  The technical stuff is 
all the
> same (terminology and principles etc)
> 
> The advantages of the more expensive 35mm digital cameras vs their 
cheaper
> brethren include higher pixel count, larger sensor size (allowing 
larger
> pixels), greater bit depth and speed (response times).  The 20D is 
a very
> very good camera.  I got the 1Ds MK II because (a) I can afford it 
(although
> my girlfriend thinks I am f******g mad) and (b) I think this it is 
at about
> the level where 35mm will begin to lose economies of scale.  Hence 
I foresee
> never buying another one (yeah yeah).  645 format digital still has 
a way to
> go - both in terms of what it can achieve and what it costs.  There 
is a lot
> of stuff on Norman's site re the 10D which is full of praise.  The 
20D is a
> major improvement on the 10D!
> 
> 
> > From: Stephen Kobrin <kobrins@w...>
> > Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> > Date: Thu, 09 Dec 2004 15:33:45 -0000
> > To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Digital camera again
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Thanks Steve and others who replied,
> > 
> > Do your arguments apply to top-end consumer cameras such as the 
Canon
> > 20d?  Or do we have to wait a while until the technology used in 
the
> > pro cameras -- and the digital backs -- is available at
> > a "reasonable" price?
> > 
> > Steve
> >