What makes this subject so controversial and so heated are the
varying definitions of term "Sharpness" and what is expected by any
particular individual. I still do not believe that the 10D is equal
to equivalently-cropped 35mm film (neg or slide) in terms of
resolution, despite what Reichman or others may think or "prove."
Additionally, there are physical elements that enter into the
equation that contribute to a deterioration in the out-of-camera
image detail.
SHARPNESS definition #1:
Typically, this particular question/complaint is posed by those
migrating (upgrading) from one of the highly-capable "prosumer" P&S
digicams. These cameras, as has been pointed out ad nauseam,
heavily process the image internally "on-the-fly" to produce sharp,
colorful, vibrant photos able to be printed directly from the
storage media without user intervention. To this end, they perform
their duty admirably and give the vast majority of their owners
results they consider satisfactory. In light of the fact that you
are comparing your pre-processed 10D images directly to those
produced from your Sony F707, I would submit that you fall into
this category. In short, either learn how to love processing
virtually ALL of your images to some extent, or return your 10D and
stick with the Sony.
SHARPNESS definition #2
We all know the standard dSLR mantra of "doing as little in-camera
processing as possible to allow more flexibility to the
photographer in processing the image." This is, for the most part,
accurate. Preservation of resolution as well as highlight, shadow,
and color detail requires a very light hand in terms of processing
-- one dSLR manufacturers feel is best left to the varying tastes
of the individual owner. However, concerning the 10D there are
other issues involved -- first of which would be a very prominent,
effective AA or "Anti-Aliasing" filter fitted to the imaging
sensor. This dramatically "dulls" image detail captured by the
camera to avoid aliasing problems inherent in CCD/CMOS imagers.
This can ONLY be overcome by applying some form of image sharpening
in post processing. There is no avoiding it -- period.
I personally have experimented by taking the same image, from the
same tripod, using the same lens (a group portrait, in fact) with
both the 10D and a Rebel 2000 with Fuji Provia 200 using 24-70/2.8L
lens. Using standard Photoshop processing (the newly-posted "10D
Finisher" Action), and Genuine Fractals to resize to 300DPI @ 12 x
18, then printing both at 12 x 18 from a Noritsu 2901 (Costco), the
film print CLEARLY held substantially more detail. It was much,
much sharper. I should note that the film slide was scanned by a
commercial service using a very expensive drum scanner ($200K) into
a 130MB TIFF file. I then processed it in PS as well with some
levels and USM. Even downsizing it to the same image size as the
native 10D image conclusively resolved more detail than the
same-sized digital image.
None of this is to say that the 10D can't produce "sharp" images,
because it can and does and I am relatively satisfied with the
results. However it is not the panacea of image quality that some
may tout it to be, and it is decimated by most 35mm and certainly
any Medium Format films -- regardless of what some people claim.
Just because their scanning equipment or technique doesn't CAPTURE
the detail doesn't mean that the film itself doesn't HAVE the
detail. Just reverse the process for proof-positive (print any dSLR
image to slide film and see). Even the mighty 1Ds isn't quite there
yet, regardless of some of the dubious "proof" that some proffer.
In the final analysis, assuming the image was properly captured, a
correctly-processed 10D image will humiliate virtually any
competing image from any P&S camera currently available --
including the F7x7. As to whether you or the others are willing to
invest the necessary time and talent into extracting the best from
those images is your prerogative. One which we are not going to
force upon you, as only you know your preference in this matter.
Brendan
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Equipment list in profile -- where it BELONGS!
