The following is a post on dpreview.com, which I reproduce here FYI. It was written by Melvin Sokolsky, not me. Thought some of you might be interested.
--Mike >>>>>>>>> > Danny Cardenas wrote: > > > He compares his 1Ds images to his Pentax 67 images and ends the > > article with "Goodbye film. Goodbye medium format." > > > > In my opinion, he would be a perfect candidate for the Jerry > Springer show. I think the guy just likes to create controversy to > stir up hits on his web site. > > What a moron. I believe the cynicism on this forum has reached critical mass so that I am going to throw in my two cents. I have been a professional photographer for over forty years and have shot with every format from the 20x24 Polaroid down to the Minox. My work has been shown in many major museums and galleries internationally. When I read Mr. Reichmann�s review of the D30 about two years ago I was somewhat surprised and questioned his findings. After shooting with the D30 I found my experience was surprisingly similar to Mr. Reichmann. At first I was a little put off by the fact that the digital capture did not look like my beloved film emulsions� but it was super sharp, and almost grainless so I wondered how I could best put it to use? After putting the digital capture through its paces in PhotoShop I realized that I could create almost any palette I wanted. Was the D30's resolution that of film? At that time the answer was no, but the experience of shooting digital gave me a sense of freedom so I decided to abandon myself to discovery. I could express my self in real time, no labs, and with confidence of accurate exposure and color balance; I thought to myself this digital stuff could be very interesting. I also found that breaking with routine was inspiring in that it taxed my imagination and was pushing my creative desire many fold. When the 1D was introduced I began to use it on my editorial shoots for Harper�s Bazaar, Vogue and Vibe magazines. Although the digital file size did not equal that of film file size, the Kodak Approval proofs of double page spreads - 11x17 - looked better than the Kodak Approval proofs from film. No numbers, just look at the image, which one would you take home? We live in an age where every fool and his brother has access to or owns space age diagnostic tools, and to hear them talk, one would suspect that in comparison Ansell Adams is an amateur. I have experienced would be photographers talk about histograms, dynamic range, and all the rest of the techno-speak who can�t shoot them selves in the foot, save a interesting image. My findings concerning the 1Ds are in total agreement with Mr.Reichmann. I am making 40"x50" Lightjet prints from 1Ds files that are not ressed-up with Genuine Fractals. The Lightjet software RIP takes care of size; rendering beautiful sharp images. � The most important thing that a photographer must protect is their reputation and credibility. Do you actually believe Mr. Reichmann would risk it all for more hits on Luminous-Landscape, or a free camera? I can tell you from personal experience there is no free camera; I bought mine from Samy�s. Would you not agree that Luminous-Landscape is the most professional and informative web-site about photography and equipment on the web? If you look at the hits that Mr. Reichmann has taken over the years in his quest for perfection in terms of equipment and cameras � just read between the lines - you could buy a house for the money he has spent. He has passed on his insights, and admitted his mistakes with equipment that didn�t quite pan out or meet his expectations. Mr. Reichmann has passed on this invaluable information to all of us for free. I believe that Mr. Reichmann's purpose is to inform and he does it with inimitable knowledge and excitement, which is a plus for all. I, in fact will subscribe to Luminous-Landscape because of the twinge of guilt I feel at the moment; one should not preach what one does not believe. Stops judging by numbers� learn to trust you eyes� ask your mother which picture she would pick. I am sure her taste will transcend the techno-speak people. RE: the "Goodbye film. Goodbye medium format." remark. I took it as more of a metaphor of what the future holds for film, as each palette has a place in terms of personal taste and specific need. If we are talking grain free sharpness and a sense of dimension, for me the 1Ds wins handily. Show me the picture. Oh by the way what is the Jerry Springer Show ? http://www.sokolsky.com/ <<<<<<
