Which DSRL mainly for B&W?

[jonathan_levy2]

I am considering which DSLR to get for B&W shooting. Shoot raw and convert in ACR and Photoshop and

print at least 11x14 or more. Among the new cameras:

Canon 40D

Nikon D300

Canon 5D

Olympus E3

I have no lenses to nudge me in a direction. Let me know if I should consider other models.

I am new to digital but have a lot of 35 B&W experience/shooting/darkroom.

What are the most important features and specs to consider for digital B&W?

Thanks.

Jonathan

[glenbarrington]

Basically, shoot in color and do your conversion to B&W in post processing. I have yet to see an on-board conversion to B&W that was any good.

 

Make your camera selection based on other issues, and obsess over the proper software. So far, the best B&W conversion from my Olmpus E500 have been from Lightroom.

[glenbarrington]

Also, shoot in RAW as that will give you the greatest lattitude with which to make your conversions.

[robertshults]

All of the images currently on my website, save one, were shot with an E-500, and all but four with the Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 zoom, if that helps in any way.

 

I second the Lightroom conversion recommedation, but the E-500 does have several okay B&W modes. However, I also think other considerations such as FPS, high-ISO, image stablization, weather sealing/durability, weight, dynamic range, noise, overall image/optical quality, and, of course, price might be more important considerations when choosing a system than the RAW file's convertability, depending on your preferred subject matter. While you will certainly discover global differences in image quality, I doubt you'd see much difference in that specific aspect across manufacturers anyway.

 

Also, please remember to use the search box in the upper right-hand corner of this page to read previous posts on this inquiry.

[godfrey]

<center>

<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW7/large/30a.jpg"><br>

Kitchen - Alcatraz 2006<br>

<i>©2007 by Godfrey DiGiorgi<br>

Pentax *ist DS + FA20-35/4 AL<br>

ISO 400 @ f/6.3 @ 1/6 sec, Av, fl=20mm<br></i>

</center><br>

<i> ..."What are the most important features and specs to consider for digital B&W?"...

</i>

<br><br>

A good lens. RAW format capture. Lightroom, Photoshop, or other good image processing

software.

<br><br>

Which DSLR body is mostly irrelevant, pick the one that works best for you on

other criteria.

<br><br>

Godfrey

[mike_hallock]

One of the main factors for good or great B&Ws is the PRINTER! Whether you send it out or print it yourself, get the best printer available. Epson makes the best B&W printer you need. Although they make the B&W photo on their color printers, when you decide to print B&W you can do no wrong!

 

Mike H.

[herve_laurent]

First of all I want to congratulate Godfrey on the picture posted

It s IMO one of the best pictures posted on this site

Also as always his comment is well on-point

I would however add one point that maybe important for you Jonathan. I have been a

photographer for 24 years and ONLY shoot B&W. One thing that for me a B&W

photographer should look for in a DSLR is the ability to preview the scene on the LCD in

B&W already. this advantage over film SLR is key for me. Most of the camera that shoot

RAW+JPEG would allow you to set the preferences so that you can view the B&W JPEG even

if you keep all your options open with the color info which is still in the RAW files

Hope this helps

H

[rarewolf]

Personally, I believe fine B/W prints almost beg you to get close in spite of the abstraction in the "bigger picture". When the detail isn't there it will detract even from the abstraction ... and that includes the grain (or noise) you have choosen to include. This would imply your primary evaluation should begin with the lenses and the software for merging the color channels into grays. Along with the others, I would also suggest that developing RAW is important.

 

That said .. and even after having made my choice 3 years ago with Zuiko Digital lenses ... for capturing those dramatic moments that escape you more often than not, I don't believe any of the systems mentioned by the OP allow for carrying around a camera (and lenses) all the time. I am presently coming to grips with the new Oly E-3 being even heavier than my E-300, and whether I might choose a E-510 instead.

 

There is also something to be said for the better P&S cameras (e.g., Canon G9), but you better be a fan of only 7 stops of dynamic range and either noise or noise removal.

 

cheerios from the Avalon Peninsula<div></div>

[godfrey]

<center>

<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW7/large/42e.jpg"><br>

Great Egret - Guadalupe River Park 2007<br><i>

©2007 by Godfrey DiGiorgi<br>

Panasonic L1 + Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 AI<br>

</i></center><br>

Thank you very much for the compliment, Herve!

<br><br>My 4/3 System cameras, at present, are the Panasonic L1 bodies for which I

have the standard Leica zoom lens as well as a couple of Olympus lenses (11-22 and 35

Macro) and a small selection of Nikkor and Pentax primes. It combines the facility that you

value (B&W rendering live or in review) and Michael Shaffer suggests (compact size, with

the appropriate lens). It will save a RAW alongside a preview JPEG too, giving one the best

of both worlds.

<br><br>

Now, personally, I don't find the B&W JPEG preview to be all that important. I learned to see

B&W in my scene too many years ago with film cameras... The crude controls to produce

B&W with a digital camera's JPEG engine just don't do it well enough for me, my eye sees

the B&W image I want better by doing my own 'in brain' processing. But occasionally it's

fun to work with using the B&W JPEGs. The L1 has the Live View capability which is what

really makes an exceptional tool for me (along with the excellent lenses and it's relatively

compact, light weight ergonomics).

<br><br>

BTW, a very nice photo as well, Michael!

<br><br>

best,<br>

Godfrey

<br><br>

<center>

<img src="http://www.gdgphoto.com/grp-walking/pannyL1_21mm.jpg"><br>

</center><br>