Digital Resolution and Film using Leicas...

[karl_knize]

Last night, I printed a 12x18 from a tri-x/x-tol neg on my V35 that

was pretty much textbook sharp. In fact, it was so sharp that I did

a little diffusing during the magenta portion of the split filtration to

take the edge off of it. I also cropped in a very small amount

around the edges. I don't do a lot of 12x18's, but this photo sort

of demanded it. When I shot it, I had no idea it would be such a

strong image. Thank god I put in on film. And assuming that it's

five years from now, and my Nikon D5 or whatever would have

captured a 60 meg file, and I had printed it 6 tone with my Epson

25,000, would it have the same signature? I don't think so.

Whenever I cock my ear to the siren song of digital--"It's faster,

easier and better"-- I eventually slap myself and repeat my own:

"Sometimes it's the limitations, the pecularities and the process

of a technique or style that allows it to be your art. "