Digital BW, The Print

Richard,

> So, Paul, one wonders where to, now, for Nikon and Canon.
> 
> They are catching up with the resolution of 35mm 25iso film. 
> (I miss APX25 and Tech Pan.)

I shot with both of those and agree that the resolution, particularly with APX 25, was substantially more than the 5d2 can achieve.  However, the 5d2's 21 mp can make a print that is better than either film, in my view.  I think one reason is that the noise is so low that one can sharpen much more with the good DSLRs.

 
> But, given the limitations of pixel density and lens 
> resolution, what more can the 35mm camera achieve?

I'm not sure, but I do expect higher resolution and DR.  It would be interesting to hear from a physics type as to when they really start to hit the wall based on the wavelength of the red light.  For the noise issue, I think coat-tailing on the semi-conductor industry's R&D helps a lot, but the computer industry fabrication is way beyond red light's potential restriction.

>... at that point, will Canon and Nikon have to follow Leica 
> and move to MF?

Part of me suspects Leica is doing what it's doing in part because it really can't compete with Canon and Nikon in a head-to-head battle.  So, they must do something different.  I hope they don't sink their whole ship with this S2 program.  The M line really needs to evolve faster than I see it doing. It strikes me as odd that they are starting a whole new SLR line when what I see is live view evolving to the point where the flapping mirror and those second rate retro-focus lenses can be eliminated.  Oh well, they didn't ask me (and I'm too cheap to buy Leicas anyway).

> All this makes me want to hunt around for a second-hand Rolleiflex.

I can't part with my Rolleis yet, but I expect they won't get much actual photo usage any more.

> Will we reach the stage we reached in film within a decade, 
> where the 35mm camera body has delivered all it can ...

Probably.  Then we'll be talking about cell-phones with 40 mp -- the ultimate Blackberry.  Only the old ----s will be carrying the antique DSLRs.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com