X-Pro1 vs Medium Format Fuji

I fear we will not agree on the scanner bit. My opinion is that it takes scanner hardware and software refinement, and operator control, to generate excellent files from film. More so at very high resolutions, as we do not want the grain structure to be considered by the scanner as information worthy of great detail. In other words, we want the file to "discriminate" grain from visual information, and that is not the default behaviour of industrial scanners. We want to minimise the visual impact of grain against core picture information. Hard to fix post-scanning.

Issue somewhat similar to "de-noising" discussion in the digital workflow: how to minimise "noise" without killing detail.

Check this discussion: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootfilm/discuss/72157607824371721/

Not saying all is correct there but shows there is a level of debate on this topic.

If your workflow is mainly digital, there is little advantage to capture the initial image through analogue means, even on 6x9. In colour anyway. In b/w, the dynamic range offered by film is not yet provided by digital capture. Typically, highlight management is much more subtle on negatives. Comparing Leica Monochrome M output with what I get with T-MAX through my M6 is an eye opener: digital provides the detail and very low noise, but blows out like crazy. Moving to medium format, a good b/w negative still "kills" digital (Fujifilm or otherwise) on most aspects.

The future of film is black and white. Again and for another few years....