are digital cameras still behind film in quality?

[londonandlawson]

I was talking to someone and they said "I prefer film, the quality is way better". Is this true?

[FlyingPhotog]

<Popcorn Time...> ;)

[Colorblinded]

In my opinion it's not much of an issue of behind, but different.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=320597

[DigitalSpecialist]

Oh the debates that can come from this thread. Some people would answer your question both ways, YES, and NO. I will leave it at that. Some things are better left unsaid!

[Cadenza]

Film is an artsy, expensive and esoteric medium. With the advent of digital photography, no longer suitable or cost effective for everyday practical imaging. For specific expressive purposes, it will always be around, just as film never killed off all artistic painting of landscapes or portraiture.

My old college instructor insisted that photography must be learned using a film camera. I bet there are probably instructors who think the same way still around, but I'm sure they'll be dead soon.

[LowriderS10]

<Popcorn Time...> ;)

*sits down next to you* ... I'll share my Pepsi if you share the popcorn...

[FlyingPhotog]

*sits down next to you* ... I'll share my Pepsi if you share the popcorn...

Deal... :cool:

[Cl!ckFoto]

I learned on a film camera and it has most definitely helped me now that I'm shooting digital. Features of both are going to be better for some than for others so YET AGAIN, it comes down to preference, ease of use, etc. I will shoot film again because the processing is so much fun.

[sf1]

Is film better than digital, is Canon better then Nikon, is Mac better than PC.....I'll have some of that popcorn and Pepsi to. :)

[zeva]

Deal... :cool:
what if i bring sour patch kids? :)

[picturecrazy]

it's like diapers... it DEPENDS.

[hawkeye60]

Define "way better".

[kcbrown]

Which film?

[runs off to watch the fireworks...]

:-)

[KevinAldrich]

<Popcorn Time...> ;)

*sits down next to you* ... I'll share my Pepsi if you share the popcorn...

Hey guys scooch over, this is gonna be good. :)

[Colorblinded]

Is film better than digital, is Canon better then Nikon, is Mac better than PC.....I'll have some of that popcorn and Pepsi to. :)
Coke is better than Pepsi!!!

[Rubberhead]

I was talking to someone and they said "I prefer film, the quality is way better". Is this true?

No.































{Just trying to flush the film guys}

[FlyingPhotog]

Hey guys scooch over, this is gonna be good. :)

If this movie gets boring, there's a showing of 24-70 Vs 24-105 at 8 o'clock... ;)

[jfinke]

Coke is better than Pepsi!!!

Beat me to it!

However, now I prefer Coke Zero.

[LowriderS10]

lol @ FlyingPhotog...for sure...on other channels, they'll be playing "which CF card should I get?" and "should I get a lens with IS or lower aperture?"...

I used to LOVE Coke Zero...then I found Pepsi Max...twice the caffeine and ginseng...mmmm...

[Cadenza]

I used to LOVE Coke Zero...then I found Pepsi Max...twice the caffeine and ginseng...mmmm...

How about Coke Plus? It has vitamins!

[Cadenza]

Seriously, digital IS better than film! You no longer need to get into a dark room full of stinking chemicals just because you've taken some nude pics.

[tonylong]

It is a maxim among film photographers that film must by nature be better than digital.

Digital photographers, on the other hand, are too busy "spraying and praying" to be bothered with the question.

[Tomi Hawk]

Coke is better than Pepsi!!!
specially that coke zero stuff .. sip sip .. ;)

[SolidxSnake]

There's too many drinking pepsi and eating popcorn and not enough arguing!! =_=

No one gets my dibs or ICEE unless they ask super nicely :D

[number six]

OK, Snake, I'll step up to the plate.

I always preferred shooting "available light" with my Nikon F. For B&W I'd shoot Tri-X pushed to 800 as a rule. Sometimes I'd try to push ASA 400 color film.

Those shots at high ASA were much, much grainier (noisier) than ISO 6400 on any of our DSLRs.

At any ISO (ASA) above 100 digital always wins.

-js

[jfinke]

specially that coke zero stuff .. sip sip .. ;)

Or ... Cherry Coke Zero.

[Tomi Hawk]

Or ... Cherry Coke Zero.
ewww, I tried that .. actually, I bought it by mistake, thinking it was my coke zero ..
I got home and busted one open? I wasn't too impressed .. wanna trade? :D

[LowriderS10]

How about Coke Plus? It has vitamins!

seriously??? I gotta try that shizz the next time I'm south of the 49th...I've never seen that stuff in Canada :(

oh...and digital pwnz film all day long...I used to shoot film...now I have all my film gear stashed away for fun, but NEVER going back to it (unless I feel like going out for some old-school shooting with my dad or something). Digi is just too fast and convenient and cheap...especially if you're a reporter it's crazy convenient :D

[tonylong]

I had to quit Coke so I could afford to feed my photography addiction:)!

[eror11]

i say digital is better then film... go ask your friend what he thinks ^^

[Ziffle]

here is a little butter for the popcorn....

as i drink my diet coke w/ vitamins... on the rocks made w/ filtered water from some mountain peak......

[KevinAldrich]

If this movie gets boring, there's a showing of 24-70 Vs 24-105 at 8 o'clock... ;)

What time zone is that? I may have to flip over, this show's been on for two hours and I still have no idea what it's about. :confused:

[FlyingPhotog]

What time zone is that? I may have to flip over, this show's been on for two hours and I still have no idea what it's about. :confused:

Mountain Standard .. We don't observe DST in AZ... :)

[LowriderS10]

here is a little butter for the popcorn....

as i drink my diet coke w/ vitamins... on the rocks made w/ filtered water from some mountain peak......

the best water I've EVER had...was when my g/f and I hiked up a glacier and drank from a major river...right at its start...mmmm....crisp water at its finest :)

[tonylong]

Watch it now -- as of last night we stopped observing DST...at least for the next few dismal winter months...

[DC Fan]

Several years ago, Canadian photographer Michael Reichmann stated that the Canon D30, the company's first DSLR, could produce prints as good as scanned 35mm film. (http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/d30/d30.shtml)

[Collin85]

If this movie gets boring, there's a showing of 24-70 Vs 24-105 at 8 o'clock... ;)

Sorry guys I'll pass. I've already seen that one 4 times this month. :lol:

[LowriderS10]

Watch it now -- as of last night we stopped observing DST...at least for the next few dismal winter months...

pffft...it's just gonna be gray and rainy for you...for me...I'll be fighting polar bears in -55C weather (kidding about the polar bears 100% serious about the temperatures :( )

[tonylong]

Several years ago, Canadian photographer Michael Reichmann stated that the Canon D30, the company's first DSLR, could produce prints as good as scanned 35mm film. (http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/d30/d30.shtml)

I knew there was something underhanded about those Luminous Landscape people!

[FlyingPhotog]

Sorry guys I'll pass. I've already seen that one 4 times this month. :lol:

Think they'll ever release a "director's cut?" :cool:

[LowriderS10]

Think they'll ever release a "director's cut?" :cool:

lol...yeah...with running commentary from veteran members and mods.

"to tell you the truth, I"ve seen this topic 3,452 times ... but, I figured, why not check it out...turns out...bad idea..."

[FlyingPhotog]

lol...yeah...with running commentary from veteran members and mods.

"to tell you the truth, I"ve seen this topic 3,452 times ... but, I figured, why not check it out...turns out...bad idea..."

LOL...

"Well, by aking this question for the 3,453rd time, what we really were attempting to do was highlight the duality of man wherein the Id wants to shoot at a nice conservative f/4 yet the Ego demands the edginess of f/2.8..."

[tonylong]

Well, I don't know about you all, but I want a definitive answer to whatever the original question was. So why don't we all just skip over to the "5D Admirers" thread and shake up the "5D 8-Ball" and then we'll know for sure!

[nphsbuckeye]

For you night owls, at 10 will be "Sigma 24-70 vs. Canon 24-70" and at 12 will be "Canon 17-55 vs. 24-70".

[tonylong]

For you night owls, at 10 will be "Sigma 24-70 vs. Canon 24-70" and at 12 will be "Canon 17-55 vs. 24-70".

In between will be an infomercial: "Full Frame versus Crop: Give me money and I'll explain the difference!"

[FlyingPhotog]

In between will be an infomercial: "Full Frame versus Crop: Give me money and I'll explain the difference!"

Is that before or after the "Shamwow" spot?

[tom1s]

Can we please get back on track and post more funny sign picutures. Oh wait. Wrong thread. Sorry.

[elader]

I prefer silver nitrite/gelatin coated glass plates rather than emulsion on plastic rolls.

[LowriderS10]

this just in: should I buy a Sigma 10-20 or a Canon 10-22? And what's this good copy/bad copy I've been hearing about???

[tonylong]

Is that before or after the "Shamwow" spot?

We made the Shamwow guy go after us because our focus group thought that his hairstyle looked "dorky" and made them lose their appetite...they had those little hand meters and the commercial caused them all to short circuit.

[FlyingPhotog]

NEW BATCH IS READY...

Who needs salt?

[tonylong]

Why, oh why, won't anyone take us seriously?:(!

[LowriderS10]

NEW BATCH IS READY...

Who needs salt?

well...I really shouldn't...but, hey, you only live once!

[tom1s]

I think the "quality" of digital is just as good if not better than film, but they are different animals. You can do magic with both.

[FlyingPhotog]

I think the "quality" of digital is just as good if not better than film, but they are different animals. You can do magic with both.

What's the quality yardstick though?

- Total Resolution?
- Dynamic Range?
- Noise/Grain?
- Color Accuracy?
- "Yeah, I kinda like that one..."?

Let's face it... You can create dreck with a Phase One and/or you can make a masterpiece that's only 800x @ 72dpi (as most work here on POTN will attest...*Cough*)

Pass the Snow Caps please...

[tonylong]

I think the "quality" of digital is just as good if not better than film, but they are different animals. You can do magic with both.

Thank you, Tom, for finally answering the question.

That answer was very close to the one I got from my Magic 5D Eightball, so I know that it is close...so very close...

[tonylong]

What's the quality yardstick though?

- Total Resolution?
- Dynamic Range?
- Noise/Grain?
- Color Accuracy?
- "Yeah, I kinda like that one..."?


F. All of the above X

There...do I get a gold star?

Let's face it... You can create dreck with a Phase One and/or you can make a masterpiece that's only 800x @ 72dpi (as most work here on POTN will attest...*Cough*)

Pass the Snow Caps please...

Yeah, well -- my 4x6 looks better than your 4x6...

[CyberDyneSystems]

The EOS 1DsMkII @ 16MP definitely beat 35mm film for pure resolution in 2004. (some tests showed that the 11MP 1Ds did so, but this was a close call so the outcome was still "debatable". Not so since 2004)

Now we also (we being digital) had the color accuracy crown over ANY film since the 10D's introduction in 2003.
Add to that digital's abilities to operate at the extreme ISO we crave, with FAR batter clarity and detail than any film, and to me it's a total slam dunk, and that's just based on IQ and results alone.
Take into account all the benefits of Digital that would be there even if film was "better" and we have a very clear winner.

there is a reason that film cameras are a dieing breed. they have been replaced like the 8 track... and like the 8 track with good reason.

[FlyingPhotog]

Seems this discussion has come up before .. Circa 2005
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=102531

[kcbrown]

Seems this discussion has come up before .. Circa 2005
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=102531

Yeah but they weren't munching on popcorn and sipping on Coke, er, Pepsi, so that discussion is completely invalid...

:-)

[FlyingPhotog]

Yeah but they weren't munching on popcorn and sipping on Coke, er, Pepsi, so that discussion is completely invalid...

:-)

So at least the quality of digital snacks has improved...

Good thing .. Good thing!

[kcbrown]

So at least the quality of digital snacks has improved...


'Tis the march of progress...

The real question is: should I eat some popcorn now, or wait for the new and improved version? And if I wait, should I buy the new and improved version or take advantage of the fact that the "obsolete" version is cheaper?

:-)

[FlyingPhotog]

'Tis the march of progress...

The real question is: should I eat some popcorn now, or wait for the new and improved version?

:-)

I'd suggest the used market but, um, well, ewwwwww.... :cry:

[kcbrown]

I'd suggest the used market but, um, well, ewwwwww.... :cry:

Thanks, I just snorted Coke, er, Pepsi all over my popcorn. Now I have to get more of both! Bet the used market isn't such a hot idea for that, either. :p

[LowriderS10]

kettle corn popcorn rules all...

sorry boys, had to step out...there was a shooting...got tomorrow's front-page story, though :D

[jfinke]

ewww, I tried that .. actually, I bought it by mistake, thinking it was my coke zero ..
I got home and busted one open? I wasn't too impressed .. wanna trade? :D

It is good stuff!

Vanilla is alright in doses.

The worst is the lemon or lime cokes/diet cokes.... :p

[FlyingPhotog]

kettle corn popcorn rules all...

sorry boys, had to step out...there was a shooting...got tomorrow's front-page story, though :D

Nice Job...

Do they do a web version of the front page when they publish?

[scermat]

they tried to answer this question on the 4th episode of current gadget show series. they took 2 similar photos in same environment and with similar settings as possible and blew them up to 17m from top to bottom. digital came out on top. they did this test several years ago and film was the winner back then.

[Canon-gal]

I drive a Chevy . . . my husband drives a Dodge ? ? ?

Most of the photographers I've met that stay with film and claim it's because film is better, are intimidated by computers.

[dinny66]

they tried to answer this question on the 4th episode of current gadget show series. they took 2 similar photos in same environment and with similar settings as possible and blew them up to 17m from top to bottom. digital came out on top. they did this test several years ago and film was the winner back then.

Not sure if you mean the UK Gadget Show? They shot in a studio at ISO400. What the heck is that all about?? :rolleyes: They didn't mention once anything about any retouching, colour correction and all that lovely stuff. But yeah, digital 'won'. Seemed a bit ridiculous the way they did it, but there you are.
Me I'm digital all the way know, for lots of reasons.

Now, I've got some Betty Crocker popcorn and a couple of 6 packs of 7up, any room? :lol:

Mike

[x-evil-x]

hard to tell

[kellieprinzel]

Seriously, digital IS better than film! You no longer need to get into a dark room full of stinking chemicals just because you've taken some nude pics.

I love darkrooms. I want to build one in my home one day. I love the process of everything you have to do to get to your final product. I think it's worth every second you spend around those raw egg smelling chemicals :)

[Tomi Hawk]

I love darkrooms. I want to build one in my home one day. I love the process of everything you have to do to get to your final product. I think it's worth every second you spend around those raw egg smelling chemicals :)
I use to burn incense in mine .......... :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/TomiImages/imhipincense.jpg

[number six]

I use to burn incense in mine .......... :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/TomiImages/imhipincense.jpg


:lol::lol::lol:

Love it! I had my darkroom in the back bedroom in a rented flat in the Haight, late '60s. I could have used this poster!

[kellieprinzel]

I use to burn incense in mine .......... :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/TomiImages/imhipincense.jpg

Hahaha, that's hilarious :) and also a very good idea. I love burning incense!

[oldfella]

There was a time when I would have agreed, but not now.
The old days of film when you took a shot and had to wait for the roll to finish and get it developed was useless. With the cameras of today you cannot go wrong.

[FlyingPhotog]

There was a time when I would have agreed, but not now.
The old days of film when you took a shot and had to wait for the roll to finish and get it developed was useless. With the cameras of today you cannot go wrong.

One need only peruse the C&C Section to prove this assumption false... ;)

(And Yes, I throw up my fair share of clunkers as well) :(

[Karl Johnston]

Coke is better than Pepsi!!!
DAMN RIGHTS!

[farkwhar]

<Popcorn Time...> ;)
I take it you've seen this one before ? lol I'll bring the milk duds

[artyman]

If film was better I wouldn't have sold my film camera to get a digital one :D

[neil_r]

Digital is cheaper too :-)

I went to a club motorcycle event at the weekend and took about 600 pics. I used to cover 3 days of MotoGP with 10 rolls of 36 exposures.

[Lizzy7]

I love film, I think it's beautiful and I will never get over the total thrill of unrolling a film off a spiral and holding my breath as I see all my negs. I also have a G9 for family snaps etc but have gone back to using my EOS5 and a roll of Superia because it's far easier and hugely less time consuming (and costs the same)

As for digital, I've been using the 5D (my husbands) but it's only very recently that I've been getting more excited about digital. If I'm honest 3200 film was just too grainy most of the time and for me this is where digital really has it's advantages as I only use available light for portraits.

Is one better? No, I'd say they are just different. I'll still use film and I'm loving the 5D Mark2 my husbands just bought (what's his is mine and all that ;))

However, Lambrettas are better than Vespas!

Lizzy

[neil_r]

However, Lambrettas are better than Vespas!

Lizzy

That is the one truth!

[dougphoto]

Canon digital on a 1ds Mark II is superior than film. If film was better, I would be shooting film and so would the other billion people shooting digital.

[samsen]

I thought this is question is answered several years back.

N O B Y N O M E A N S . . .

[MikeFairbanks]

The days of film are coming to an end.

Since this debate is happening at all tells us something. Five years ago (about when this thread was started) it really was a decent debate.

Not anymore, because right now it's neck and neck, but five years from now it won't be even close.


I remember well, however, picking up envelopes of prints and boxes of slides and rushing home to open the presents, so-to-speak.


Now I rush in the house, download the photos, and nervously tap my fingers for two or three minutes as the pictures download.

Same feeling, faster time.


I still have a surf magazine from a couple years back showing a pro photographer wearing a t-shirt that says "death before digital".


I wonder if he still wears that shirt.

[RWatkins]

It depends....

Here is an extreme technical example. I just got out of a darkroom this morning after developing XRAY sheets used in a process called Western Hybridization (its a Biology thing). Anyhow, I'm getting better results with this than a 25,000$ Kodak molecular imaging system that uses a cooled CCD digital camera.

I know its somewhat of an odd example, I just included it as an example to show that film is not always inferior to digital.

[Ziffle]

the issue is kodak and there ccd stuff. i could be wrong..
but they seem to be behind in there technology.

[Lonnie]

no longer suitable or cost effective for everyday practical imaging.

I've heard interviews with several photographers that claim photography is way more expensive now - they are spending BIG money on new bodies, computers, HD's, and storage cards.

[onebikeonehorseone5D]

<Popcorn Time...> ;)


LMAO......I love people with foresight. bw!

[onebikeonehorseone5D]

Is film better than digital, is Canon better then Nikon, is Mac better than PC.....I'll have some of that popcorn and Pepsi to. :)

I have pickled herring.

[mathogre]

Candy corn. 'Tis the season. ;)