RE: [APML] Film: Begining of the End?

["Jeff Ball" <jeffball@astro-photography.com>]

Eric,
Buyers' remorse is rampant in our evolving technology world.  We agonize
over details that are largely indiscernible to the common viewer of our
work if not the trained eye.  Can someone tell me at what ppi I scanned
a negative by looking at the final print?  The quality of the medium
format will not change with time.  Your decision will be much simpler if
you decide on the quality of the work you want to achieve and find the
equipment that allows you to achieve it.  Can medium format film do it?
Most likely.  Can 35mm film do it?  Maybe.  There is no shortage of
unbelievable work with 35mm film.  Will film be around in 10 year?
35mm, maybe-medium format, I would be it is around-maybe not.  Will
digital get cheaper, better, easier to work with?  Yes.  Do you hike for
photography?  Action or landscape?  Image stabilization or not?  Spot
meter?  Confidence in the shot with film or would you like a live
histogram on the spot?  Convenience?  Digital wins.  Cost?  Close call
depending on what you have already invested in a scanner and how many
exposures you process.  Digital storage is not cheap either.  Quality?
Great quality can be achieved with either.  Ansel's work still stands
the test of time and invention.  What is your final output?  Prints or
monitor.  How many prints do you have framed and matted?  It may be that
the 8mp digicam is perfect for 99% of us all.  Weight?  The new 8mp
digicams are hard to beat when it comes to value, compactness, features,
and focal length.  Is this for astrophotography as well.  The digital
cameras have shown a lack of halpha sensitivity.  Yes, you can remove
the filters, but doesn't this take away from the main advantage of the
digital SLR in that it is a multi use camera for a reasonable cost?  It
is a very personal decision based on how you answer these questions and
many others.  Good luck in your decision.

To your specific proposal below with regards to astrophotography.  There
would be no comparison between a wide field Milky Way shot with the
medium format camera/lens vs. the Canon Rebel with kit lens for $1000.
The medium format with E200 wins easily.  What field size do you like in
astrophotography?  Do you have a scope that can utilize the 6x7?  I
know, more questions:-)  Good luck.

Best regards,
Jeff Ball
www.astro-photography.com
 

I can get an RB67 or Pentax 67 complete with accessories and maybe a
lens or
two in the $1K range.  Should be a safe bet for quality, weight and
convenience
for at least a few years.  Of course, my wife will continue to shake her
head
when I agonize over ten shots on one roll of 120 film and wait a week
for
processing, while she is happily processing and printing the best stuff
from
hundreds of shots on the CF card.

EZB 
 

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