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From: "Larry N. Bolch" 
To: 
References: 

Subject: Re: New Digital Cameras
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 15:57:20 -0700
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drbob wrote:
>> The next few weeks should be very interesting, as the other
>> companies announce their new goodies as well. It is also expected
>> that Nikon will announce a replacement for their old D1X and
>> probably a replacement for the D100 unless the D70 is it.
>>
>>
>> larry!
>
> This is gonna be painful isn't it!?

Actually, I think it is rather exciting. Digital photo technology is moving very
quickly, so each new wave carries indications of what is to come.

Back in photojournalist days, I would joke that my ideal camera would produce
quality like an 8x10, but handle like a Leica. Of course it was a joke at that
time, but seeing comparison tests between shots from the 11MP Canon compared to
professionally-made drum scans from 6x7 chromes, clearly the Canon shots are
superior. Now with the CP8700 and the Sony 8MP cameras, 35mm is pretty well aced
by $1,000 digital cameras.

In 1965, one of the founders of Intel, Gordon Moore, speculated that the number
of devices on a chip will double every two years. This became known as "Moore's
Law". However, it has been applied to the growth of power in all digital devices
and has held pretty true. I would guess that within a decade there will be
digital cameras in the $1,000 range that will indeed produce quality that will
match an 8x10, and be no bigger than current digital cameras.

With my Nikon CP5000, I get superb print quality. It also allows me to go places
where I would not even think of wasting film, but with the CP5k, I get very
usable images. Even better, when shooting under adverse conditions, I am able to
check to see if I succeeded, and if not, make adjustments until I do. Check
"Northern Sky", "Lightning", "Pub",
"Fireworks" and "View of the MGM Grand" at
http://www.larry-bolch.com/ephemeral/
as well as all the extended-range stuff at
http://www.larry-bolch.com/layers.htm

Does it hurt to see all the new stuff coming on the market, with the bank
account as low as it is?

No, I really doubt that I will see anything in this generation compelling enough
to make me want to trade. At this point, there is no camera on the market at any
price that has the combination of benefits that are embedded in my CP5000. It is
most rare to find any device that seems to have been custom built just to match
one's own requirements. Had I unlimited funds, I still would not trade for any
current camera.

What would it take to get me to trade? First, a camera with an equivalent to a
19mm lens or wider. My 19mm component RARELY comes off the CP5000. I love the
19mm->58mm lens range it gives me. This is an absolute. Since I sold my beloved
Brooks VeriWide 100 to Hap, who truly deserves such a camera, the 19mm on the
CP5000 will have to carry the burden of super-wide service.

I would not find anything with less resolution than 8MP as a compelling reason
to upgrade. 8MP compared to the 5MP of the CP5000 is the equivalent of moving
from the CP990 to the CP5000 - 160% of the former camera's resolution. Less than
that is not too significant. More would be highly desirable, with no upper
limit. I have no regrets moving from the CP990 to the CP5000. As outstanding as
the CP990 was, the CP5000 is the equal or better in every way.

Since these tiny lenses have incredible depth of field, I would be very happy to
have a faster lens, since I tend to shoot a lot in available darkness. However,
I do get wonderful quality even with the f-2.8 lens.

Little equipment lust at the moment, leading to great interest and no pain.

larry!
ICQ 76620504
http://www.larry-bolch.com/

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