Re: [APML]: film resolution etc

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>It would seem that there is a conspiracy to deny us the critical
>information in quantitative terms, and that the only subjective data
>index is the one most frequently quoted, resolving power in lpm.
>
>Sure is nice to get the advice of experienced photographers.

It seems to me that experienced photographers evaluate films by taking
pictures and studying these pictures.  They do not evaluate films by
looking at graphs or studying data supplied by the manufacturer.  No matter
what the numbers say, the experienced photographer will make a choice by
relying in his/hers general "feel" based on how the pictures look.  They
shoot plenty of rolls before they commit themselves to any specific film.
In the area of color photography, color reproduction appears to be much
more important than "sharpness" or whatever, for the experienced
photographer.  The fact that film A shows better "resolution" than film B
usually means nothing to the experienced and practicing photographer.  If
the choice was based only on "best definition", fast films would not be
selling.

My point is that what you call "critical" information and you accuse film
manufacturers for hiding, might not be critical at all for the experienced
photographer, only the engineer with a curiocity or a passion for perfection.

To get back to stereo photography, it is generally accepted that best viewing
conditions are using a viewer.  A viewer magnifies the image only 5x.
So, stereo photography is not as resolution-demanding as other forms of 
photography that use huge enlargements.  But the use of both eyes makes us
more sensitive to (non-matching) grain patterns.

George Themelis


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