P3D Re: The future (digital vs. film)

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Michael Kersenbrock wrote:
> > range.  Almost none of the consumer (< $1,000) digicams have even half
> > the features of any 35mm SLR (interchangeable lenses being a big sore
> > point).  I haven't seen any consumer digicams that offer manual focus
> 
> My wife's Nikon 950 has manual focus (never used), and most all
> digital cameras have the equivalent of SLR viewing (the LCD
> screens).
> 

In my experience the poor resolution available on the LCD view screens
isn't even as good as that on a Lubitel or Sputnik, let alone a 35mm
SLR.  The LCD viewing screens are barely acceptable for checking
composition (you can't check critical focus), and for working the
camera features that the manufacturer didn't provide other controls
and indicators for.  Given over 150 years of large format and medium
format cameras you have to wonder why the makers of the digicams
haven't thought to provide a collapsible shade for the LCD finders.

> > and exposure, SLR viewing, interchangeable (not auxiliary) lenses, and
> 
> Nikon's auxillary lenses for the 950 seem pretty decent, even if
> not the same (although priced as if they were).
> 



> > capacity of 36 images at highest resolution out of the box (i.e., no
> > need to buy additional storage).
> ....
> > The $125 Olympus Epic Stylus point&shoot
> > that I got my wife last year takes better pictures than any < $1000
> 
> How many images could that Olympus Epic camera take without having
> to buy any additional film other than that included with the camera?  :-)
> 

24.  They threw a roll of film in with the camera, and if she uses
labs that give a free roll of film with developing my wife would never
have to buy film.

> P.S. - Take a look at the new Nikon D1.  It's not a consumer camera,
>        but it's way way cheaper than the zillion dollar digital
>        cameras of the past.  It's roughly comparable to Nikon's pro
>        35mm film cameras in terms of price and features -- but
>        digital.  And is only version one (wait for D5 to compare
>        with F5 :-).  Anyway, seems to be a milestone in terms of
>        watching trends. First digital cameras have been P&S style,
>        and they're (not only Nikon) going toward the SLR replacement
>        style only just now.
> 

The D1 (if it's the one I'm thinking of) is bascially a Nikon F5 with
a CCD back, a large battery pack, and a hard disk.  Kodak (with their
DSC cameras), and later Nikon and Canon, has been making these
cameras, or ones like them, for a number of years.  They are more
expensive than their film counterparts, heavier, and still have lower
image quality than film.  They were originally marketed to the AP and
UPI wire services.  One of the services used them for a while and then
switched back to film.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
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http://www.panix.com/~reynolds  |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
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