In a recent review, I noticed the Ricoh RDC-5000 has a Black and White capture mode. ** Which other megapixel digital cameras contain this mode? ** And why would I want this capaibility within the camera (at the time of capture??) instead of modifying it in Photoshop to Grayscale? I actually only want to ever capture black and white and if the camera can collect somthing that wouldn't be there through software adjustments then I want it.

Thanks.

-- Bob Bower (CISATAO@yahoo.com), August 11, 1999

Answers

I'm only guessing, but maybe instead of each pixel capturing either red, green or blue, it can be set up so that each pixel captures a greyscale. This would then give a picture with three-times the area resolution, compared to just turning it into greyscale in a computer.

On the other hand, with my cynic's hat on, it could indeed be just a marketing gimmick.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), August 11, 1999.

The Nikon Coolpix 950 also has B/W option. The advantage that this option brings is that all digital cameras take a picture in B/W and then infuse the B/W with color. If you don't want the color to begin with, the room for computer error is increased with the two-fold switch (B/W to color, color to greyscale). Also the B/W images are clearer than the color images. I have a Nikon Coolpix 950, and the B/W images are just a slight bit clearer and more precise than the color photos. The print is easier to read and the line are crisper. I have also had some problems with the color balance when I try to take pictures in color and change them to greyscale in Photoshop. however, one can not change the White balance when one takes a picture in B/W (at least on the Nikon). That is unfortunate.

By the way, do you know anything about how to get the background to come out white in a photo? I am taking the pictures on a white background, and the picture is coming out with an off-white background (grey-tinted in the B/W mode)?

-- Shaneen Kohler (shaneen@lyonlvei.com), August 19, 1999.