On 12 Nov 2003, at 18:49, jonathan keenan wrote:
Of course the 4x5 or MF trans are better than the 35mm its a simple matter of size but newer emulsions made 35mm acceptable to stock libraries eventually, indicating their improvement in suitability to the marketplace.
That plus the insidious movement towards lifestyle where focussing is often only an option :-)
With digital the same is true. MF backs are better than 35mm bodied versions but the gap is closer. Its no longer size; its cooling and software and not much else. Ultimately they are better files, no doubt about it, but this is not like the old days of comparing a 35mm Velvia slide against a 6x7 or 4x5 and sneering or excusing the 35mm as 'creative'.
But it is still a matter of size for many advertising commissions.And there's still the matter of dedicated digital lenses.
I have ignored multi shot and scanning backs as they are completely useless to me. I have not complicated my comments with obvious consideration of camera movements.
But although they may be useless to you ,surely thats not a reason anybody to paint those who need these options as a bunch of egotistical puffheads. Although I grant you there is no shortage of the latter in our profession ,and as we speak I' m obviously making my own application to join this elite body :-)
Without a doubt my 1Ds is better than my RZ in every respect apart from flash sync speeds and looking big and cool on a tripod. And I can live with that.
As a smudger of too many years standing , I ' m not sure that I can live without cool . In fact , I'm not entirely sure that I can live without big . If we could introduce a little matt black , some impressive flashing diodes and maybe an electronic beep or two ,maybe I'd just get by.
There is a definite feeling that some sort of pecking order based on old assumptions is being developed as some way of protecting an imagined hierarchy in professional photography.
Sorry ,this has a lot to do with attitudes and assumption ,and dare I say it , even a little conspiracy theory. It falls a little short however on at least our companies perception of reality. We look at the type of work we want to do , and get the best kit for it . The fact that the clients love it is a bonus . Simple equation really .
Now more than ever we should be selling ourselves on the creativity not just the size of van needed to get to the shoot.
But surely that doesn't mean that using the best possible piece of kit for the job somehow renders one devoid of creativity ? If I'm being asked to walk on the wild side , then I want the stuff that gives me the most flexibility to do so .
Regards and respect
Bob Marchant.
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