Just for a discussion?!

[JTurner538]

At what megapixel will digital cameras overtake film (in quality)? I personally won't make the switch until we're have at least 10 megapixels at a reasonable price. What does everyone else think?
Justin

[almo]

At what megapixel will digital cameras overtake film (in quality)? I personally won't make the switch until we're have at least 10 megapixels at a reasonable price. What does everyone else think?
Justin

10 would do it. But there are more things than res to cosider.


almo

[Hodgy]

LOL, it made that pass some time ago. I challenge anyone to be able to tell the difference. If your not getting the results you want, it's not becuase of the MB. I have 30 inch prints from our 3.25 Canon D30. Not to brag, but these prints took merit and excellence for the Professional Photographers of Canada which are judged by master photographers. But who's the real expert? The client, and our clients don't give a rat's *ss how many MP you have.

[almo]

But who's the real expert? The client, and our clients don't give a rat's *ss how many MP you have.

Hear! Hear!


almo

[Outdoorsman]

I agree with the others. It's not about the # of MP you have. To me, 6 is more than enough and like Hodgy said, you can enlarge files pretty big with less resolution than you think you'll need. For me with digital it's about the exposure latitude. My experience with digital is that it's worse than slide film, and so is pretty useless for me. If I can't shoot in contrasty conditions without blowing out the highlights or losing the shadows to darkness, then it's just a waste of time. The resolution is already just fine on digital. But even more important to me is being able to afford high-resolution lenses. When the prices come down on really good glass, then I will be happy. You can stick a crappy lens on a 15 MP camera and get a crappy pic that you can enlarge to your heart's content. But a superb lens on a 3 or 4 MP camera will still be the winner.
And again, the client/customer doesn't care about your equipment. They care about the results. If they get excellent images, then who cares how you came by them? I have a friend who does baby portraits in her garage with a 4 MP p&s and gets excellent results- people are banging down her door to get their kids done. Compared to the one local portrait photog here (small town) who shoots the 1Ds MKII, they are on a par. It's not about MPs or fancy functions or looks- it's about the images you end up with.
I think in 5 years, people will laugh at 4 MP, and 20 will be pro standard. But those 4 MP cameras will still be holding their own against their huge-file high-rez competitors.
All this coming from a film shooter...

[Hodgy]

well, we shoot weddings in contrast situations all the time with great success. The trick? Expose for the hightlights like you would chromes. You can alwasy bring up shadows and midtones in PS afterwords. You can bring back shadow, but you cannot bring back hightlights. I shoot with that in mind and watch my histogram to make sure that the hightlights are there, but not gone.

[Asylum Steve]

...that these discussions are taking place now when they are topics that most of us felt were settled a couple of years ago.

Did a group of photographers crawl out of a time capsule or something???

[walterick]

"these discussions are taking place now when they are topics that most of us felt were settled a couple of years ago.Did a group of photographers crawl out of a time capsule or something??? "

I think there are still plenty of people around to whom digital is new and aren't with the current state of professional photography. Certainly we can afford a little patience to still answer these basic questions? LOL

Rickster

[Asylum Steve]

Hey, I've been sick all week. Felt good enough to come online today, but guess I'm still a little pissy...

If folks want to keep discussing these things, think I'll just stay out of the whole mess!

[Dzerzhinski46]

Dear All,

I think that in a sense, if we concentrate on digital versus film, we are missing the point (not disrespect, present company accepted ). What matters is the photographer. You could have a ten MP camera and the best equipment, but if you don't have the talent or skill, then it doesn't matter. To paraphrase another author, "...if I have all camera equipment, a ten MP camera, and studio lighting, and yet have not the gift of the photographer's eye, then I am nothing...". You decide.

Dzerzhinski ;)

[walterick]

"If folks want to keep discussing these things, think I'll just stay out of the whole mess!"

I wish you wouldn't You're one of the people that folks up here deserve to hear from.

Rick

p.s. Water and Orange juice. And no stress