Digital BW, The Print

Hello from a lurker on this list. I am currently 
printing with the old piezo inks using a 1160 and 
primarily EAM and Photo Rag papers.  I have been 
unhappy with the extent of the warming of this ink 
over time and so am about to switch to Piezotone 
Selenium. All of my B&W imaging to date has been 
from 35mm negatives and silver print scans and I 
am very happy with the quality of the files and 
quality of the Piezo prints from my 1160, 
especially as to the sharpness and resolution of 
the images. Most of my output has come from my 
beloved Leica M2. For negative scanning I use the 
Polaroid SS35, a 2700 dpi film scanner.

Last year, in order to get into digital imaging, I 
acquired a Nikon 990 that has been marginally 
satisfactory for color prints up to 8x10 but have 
not had the quality that I would like for larger 
formats or for B&W conversion. B&W is my first 
love. Since I have been bitten by the digital bug I 
decided to bite the bullet and go for one of the 
new 6MP prosumer cameras that have come to 
market lately. I put my name on a waiting list for 
the Canon D60 back in June and just received my 
camera body last week. Now to the meat of my 
inquiry. As I am new to the Canon family I would 
like some advice on what are appropriate lenses 
that will provide the best quality results. As much 
as I would like to get all Canon L lenses, I am 
afraid that is not a reality for my strained budget. 
Does anyone have any recommendations for 
lenses other that the L series that would provide 
excellent results.

Jerry Olson seems to be quite happy with the 
sharpness of his prints from his recently acquired 
D60. The resolution/sharpness debate that has 
ensued has been interesting. The math seems to 
come down to the fact that the lack of resolution/
detail that can reside in a 6MP file cannot possibly 
match that of film. I certainly accept that and 
recognize that I will probably not get quite the 
level of detail that I may desire. For Jerry my 
question is- what lenses is he using on his D60 
body and what would he be willing to recommend 
for someone that is looking for the best  possible 
results. 

Anyone have any opinions on the newer Sigmas or 
Tokinas. I need ultra wide zoom and because of 
price am possibly considering the Canon EF 20-35 
d3.4-4.5 or if ok, the faster Sigma AF 2.8 20-4- Ex 
DG DF. I also would like a 28-70 where I am 
considering a used Canon EF 28-70 2.8  L or ? . 
Finally I would like to get the Canon 100-400 f4-
5.6 L IS. Any other suggestions would be 
appreciated. 

I hope that my lense questions are not too far off 
topic for this list.  It is because of Jerry's pleasure 
with the sharpness of his D60 output that 
prompts me to bend the list topic a bit here. 
Every time Jerry talks about how happy he is with 
the sharpness/detail of his up to 13x19 output 
from his D60 I am asking myself what lenses he 
might be using. If anyone is offended by my inquiry 
let me extend my apologys in advance.

In conclusion, I just want to say that this list is the 
most fabulous one that I subscribe to. I get the 
digest version and look forward to receiving them 
each day. You guys are all awesome!

Ross Mullins

Thanks Jerry for your helpful response to my 
question on your lense selection for the D60. 

I am wondering  what your experience has been 
converting the raw D60 files to B&W. Does it 
compare at all favorably with 35mm b&w film that 
has been scanned? Of course I will be able to 
answer this for myself once I have acquired a 
couple of lenses for my D60 body but, I would 
really appreciate your opinion and any thoughtd 
you may have on the best methodology for 
conversion to grayscale.

I really did not intend my prior post to set off a 
renewal of the resolution/sharpness battle 
between you and Austin. It feels like stepping on 
a sleeping rattlesnake!  In my heart I know that 
you guys are both right. 

Happy bokeh to you both. It is only in recent 
years that the "Bokeh" discussion seems to have 
come to my attention. Now I know why I have 
always loved the out of focus areas from my Leica 
lenses. When a tree falls in the forest does it 
make a sound if no one is there to hear it?


Jerry, we must be part of the same over-the-hill 
gang. I have been making photographs since 1953 
while I was in high school. Bokeh I just heard of 3 
or 4 years ago. 

Peace

Ross