Re: Optical or Digital Prints?

[Paul Stenquist]

I may have been the one who said that an optical print is "probably 
better than a digital," but you're taking my words out of context. What 
I actually said is that for an extremely large print -- say 30 x 40 
inches -- from 35mm film, an optical print could be superior to digital 
because you're dealing only with film grain. You don't get into a 
situation where the grain is fighting the pixelation. However, in my 
experience, the best digital prints are generally superior to the best 
optical prints in apparent sharpness.
Paul
On Apr 25, 2005, at 6:15 PM, Jack Davis wrote:

Group,
Someone recently offered a passing comment that an
optical print is "probably better than a digital".
Not wanting to take on the total meaning of "better",
let me comment only about sharpness. I've have a
rather large inventory of optical prints that from
time to time have required duplication. As a result,
I've needed a number of 35mm and 6x6cm images scanned
(50mp - 100mp)from which to make the prints. IMO, In
all cases, the digital/inkjet/lightjet prints appear
sharper than their optical equivalents.
All work has been done by quality full service labs.
I admit to a "sharpness" fixation.
What has been your experience?
Jack

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com