why do we have a digital b&w thread?

Godfrey said:
There are two complaints I hear all the time:

- The biggest complaint I hear is "it doesn't have the dynamic range that film does!" which is just nonsense. I've measured film and digital dynamic range many many times. It is rare that I find any film which has more than 8-9 stops of dynamic range without extraordinary processing chemistry and methodology applied. The best I've found is 11 stops. Modern digital sensors consistently achieve 10 to 12 stops of dynamic range with proper exposure, sometimes even more.

So what's different that causes all the angst? Film has a characteristic density curve approximated by a partial differential equation of order 2: it rolls off gently at the toe and shoulder with a 'mostly linear' range in the middle area where we place our exposure for best effect. Different chemistry and different processing methodology can shift this in small ways beyond the film's basic characteristics, but overall the perception in use is that it is easy to get a lot of latitude with an imprecise exposure setting due to the soft roll-offs at toe and shoulder.
Click to expand...

How can a solution to a second order PDE result in a curve? Should not be an Ordinary differential equation? Also, If you're talking about silver deposities density on the film plate, I'd expect a First order one, much like population problems in mathematics.
 
I don´t really care. If the picture is a good one, it is regardless of the technology involved.
 
Also I agree with other posts. People find B&W beautiful. Many never used film, don't understand the process, the craft. Don't want do spend money or time. But they like it. So they do it. Maybe some will use film some day, and understand it's peculiarities. Or not. We must let people achieve any technical level they want.
 
Godfrey..that was the best reasoned response that I`ve ever read on the subject.

Dennis .... you`re slow off the mark on this one ... need to sharpen up :)
 
teleparallel said:
How can a solution to a second order PDE result in a curve? Should not be an Ordinary differential equation? Also, If you're talking about silver deposities density on the film plate, I'd expect a First order one, much like population problems in mathematics.
Click to expand...

I think you are correct ... I'll have to review my differential equations notes .. It's been a while since I did the analysis (twenty years and some). :)
 
Michael Markey said:
Godfrey..that was the best reasoned response that I`ve ever read on the subject.

...
Click to expand...

Thanks, Michael!

I also agree wholeheartedly with Ezzie's comment:
I don´t really care. If the picture is a good one, it is regardless of the technology involved.
Click to expand...

I've often quoted the aphorism, "Equipment often gets in the way of Photography!"

Lately I'm thinking of another, similar corollary a lot, "Photographers should think more of quality images and less of image quality."

onwards,
G
 
back alley said:
and why is it so popular...if digital b&w is so awful?

just wondering...
Click to expand...

Digital B&W is not awful... but I've never seen a good (personal taste) digital B&W that does not look like B&W film.

As to why it's popular, because for today's younger photographers (large demographic), that's all they know or have experience with.

Having said that, I recently sold an RB67 kit to a young photography student who said that he just loves film. :D
 
Couldn't this be a 'Why DON'T we have a digital b&w thread'?

Could be a good way to demonstrate the pros and cons. I know there are Leica Monochrome threads out there, but digi b&w in general? I don't recall seeing one.
 
MickH said:
Couldn't this be a 'Why DON'T we have a digital b&w thread'?

Could be a good way to demonstrate the pros and cons. I know there are Leica Monochrome threads out there, but digi b&w in general? I don't recall seeing one.
Click to expand...

look again...it's a great thread!
 
Michael Markey said:
Godfrey..that was the best reasoned response that I`ve ever read on the subject.

Dennis .... you`re slow off the mark on this one ... need to sharpen up :)
Click to expand...

i know i can't sleep anymore the frickin heather in my apartment makes weird noises at night now..ever since the storm..

I wish i could turn it off i like the cold but i think its a central system..

will talk to the guy who works in here
 
These are so so awful...

8159159701_b17d2edb35_b.jpg


8148171771_643da35d28_b.jpg


7261613560_dde27276b0_b.jpg


7280209292_8c03a71af1_b.jpg


7688836450_734a20d060_b.jpg


7718340586_1afa33c436_b.jpg


7761707242_fed1a540db_b.jpg


6987838938_f14a368c7e_b.jpg


7179119806_e2e1cbf3b1_b.jpg
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom