New Nikon Coolscan Lineup

[Sebastian]

I would agree. I am shooting film, and will be probably for the next 3-4 years until I can get a least a 12 mp Canon slr for what the digital rebel goes for now. I scan my negatives with my minolta dimage dual III and get resolution equivelant to approx 11-12 mp camera would put out.

Unfortunately, that's not entirely correct. A 6mp camera resolves much closer to that than you would think. The 11-12 megapixels you're quoting are scans of grain clumps, not detail. Film does not work as digital does. WIth digital every pixel gets some detail, with film not every molecule records detail, only lumps of molecules do, that's the "grain" we see. I get more detailed prints from a 6mp camera than I ever did from 35mm scans.

[PuckJunkey]

Up to a point though, one would think. Once you surpass a certain print size, spreading those 6 million pixels thin across the canvas can result in fairly soft images based on what I've seen. How large can you print before you feel like you have to start resampling the image or using something like Genuine Fractals? I suspect it's still wise to keep the relative DPI close to 250 or so (though 300 is probably no longer necessary except for certain kinds of printers / presses).

[Sebastian]

Up to a point though, one would think. Once you surpass a certain print size, spreading those 6 million pixels thin across the canvas can result in fairly soft images based on what I've seen. How large can you print before you feel like you have to start resampling the image or using something like Genuine Fractals? I suspect it's still wise to keep the relative DPI close to 250 or so (though 300 is probably no longer necessary except for certain kinds of printers / presses).

At larger print sizes I prefer digital prints. Cleaner, less grain. SOfter? No softer than film, but there is a difference in look. Film gets really soft, digital gets slightly wavy, due to the interpolation of the pixels. Upon closer inspection the softness of film is preffered by me. As for detail, I still prefer digital.

The only time I prefer film is if it's a straight chemical print, especially off of a sharp B&W film, otherwise I'll take digital any day.

Granted, the edge is slight, but I see it. THat coupled with all the other millions of reasons to go digital and frankly, there is no legitimate reason to stick with film besides nostalgia. A year ago I would have slit my wrists rather than type those words...

[Trevor Ash]

I think they both make great prints.