[ot] resolution of film

[Bruce Marshall]

On Monday 02 January 2006 06:18, Man-wai CHANG wrote:
> Is there a megapixel-per-inch (is it inch?) measurement for films in
> camera?
>
> How close is the resolution of the best best digital camera from films?

I did some looking on this question and it's really an ambiguous question.  
Film has its advantages and digital has many advantages...  and it's really a 
matter of exactly what you need to accomplish.  

For example, one article said that if you have to make an 'exhibition size' 
print with really sharp detail, you're going to have to use a 'sheet sized' 
piece of film in order to do that.  Makes sense.

Do a google search for "digital vs film"  and you'll find some good articles, 
particularly here:


http://www.normankoren.com/Tutorials/MTF7.html


In Digital cameras vs. film, parts 1 and 2, we use the tools developed in 
earlier in the series to compare digital and film cameras, and we address the 
question, "How many pixels does a digital sensor need to outperform 35mm 
film?" The answer is less speculative than it used to be: The 11+ megapixel 
Canon EOS-1Ds, EOS-1Ds Mark II, and EOS 5D clearly outperform 35mm. I can 
make finer prints with the 8.3 megapixel EOS 20D (razor sharp at 13x19 
inches) than I ever could with 35mm? and I was fanatic about lenses and 
darkroom work. We also look at the rapid advances of digital sensor 
technology, which have made some digital cameras obsolete in a matter of 
months. The good news is that the advances are slowing down-- digital cameras 
are stabilizing and it has become safe to buy one without fear of rapid 
obsolescence (though obsolescence will still happen; just slower).