First, I'd like to saw Sorry! It's been a tough week! Five reasons: Leitz M6; Elmar-M; 4000 dpi film scanner; Photoshop; six color Photo Printer.

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), February 22, 2002

Answers

What does any of that have to do with slides?

Nothing, when you get right down to it. And it doesn't make photos any better. That one would be save-able if it had been shot with print film. The contrast creates really deep shadows on the LHS that could easily be managed with print film.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), February 22, 2002.

Let me guess, 50mm f2.8 Elmar-M, right?

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvillion @aol.com), February 22, 2002.

"What does any of that have to do with slides?" Well, for me, I've found that slides scan easier than print film. Both E6 and Kodachrome just seem to scan right in with SilverFast, and require a minimum of manipulation. Actually, there is nice shadow detail that does show up in a six color inkjet print. It's as good a reason as any to shot slides, and for me, the primary reason. Within the next couple of years, if not sooner, I think photographers will shoot (film) what they shoot based solely on digital scanning and printing. In fact, in a way, it's becoming another art form.

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), February 23, 2002.

For me, the scan is the final product, so I shoot slide because it means I can cut out negative sleeves, contact sheets and so on. Although I have had very nice results from neg and the higher quality/speed factor is very handy. Mixing and matching the two is difficult, though, if not impossible.

I don't really know which scans better, slide or neg. You can get good, but different, results from both. I know that when I finally start using a digital camera, I'll heave a sigh of relief.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 23, 2002.

I've found that slides scan easier than print film. Both E6 and Kodachrome just seem to scan right in with SilverFast, and require a minimum of manipulation

Well, yeah... after you perform an IT8 calibration for your color values. And those IT8 values are not transferrable from 1 film to another. You have to perform the calibration all over again if you want to switch from 1 film to another. That's why all my previous Provia 100f shots came out with TOO much magenta. I had originally calibrated for Ektachrome 100. If your using Silverfast with color positive film you have to be extra adamant about these things.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 23, 2002.