Comparison of digital and film photography

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The merits of digital versus film photography were considered by photographers and filmmakers in the early 21st century after consumer

motion picture film photography.[1][2] In the 21st century, photography came to be predominantly digital, but traditional photochemical
methods continue to serve many users and applications.

Image quality

Spatial resolution

The visual quality of a digital photograph can be evaluated in several ways. The

Bayer pattern or other filter on the digital sensor and the image processing algorithm used to interpolate raw sensor data to image pixels. Most digital sensors are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern, making certain images (for example of parallel lines) susceptible to moiré pattern artifacts. Film is not affected by moiré because of the random orientation of the silver salts in its emulsion, however the pattern of these silver salts may become visible upon enlargement, creating the patterns called "grain" in the final output.[5]

The resolution of film images depends upon the area of film used to record the image (

medium format or large format) and the film speed. Estimates of a photograph's resolution taken with a 35 mm film camera vary. More information may be recorded if a fine-grain film is used, while the use of poor-quality optics or coarse-grained film may yield lower image resolution. A 36 mm × 24 mm frame of ISO 100-speed film was initially estimated to contain the equivalent of 20 million pixels,[6]
: 99  or approximately 23,000 pixels per square mm.

Many professional-quality film cameras use

large-format films. Because of the relatively large size of the imaging area these media provide, they can record higher resolution images than most consumer digital cameras. Based upon the above pixel density, a medium-format film image can record an equivalent resolution of approximately 83 million pixels in the case of a 60 x 60 mm frame, to 125 million pixels in the case of a 60 x 90 mm frame. In the case of large format, 4 x 5 inch films can record approximately 298.7 million pixels, and 1,200 million pixels in the case of 8 x 10 inch film. However, as with a digital system, poor optical quality of lenses will decrease the resolving potential of a film emulsion.[7][8][9]

Noise and grain

Shot noise, produced by spontaneous fluctuations in detected photocurrents, degrades darker areas of electronic images with random variations of pixel color and brightness. Film grain becomes obvious in areas of even and delicate tone. Grain and film sensitivity are linked, with more sensitive films having more obvious grain. Likewise, with digital cameras, images taken at higher sensitivity settings show more image noise than those taken at lower sensitivities.[6]

However, even if both techniques have inherent noise, it is widely appreciated that for color, digital photography has much less noise/grain than film at equivalent sensitivity, leading to an edge in image quality.[10] For black-and-white photography, grain takes a more positive role in image quality, and such comparisons are less valid.

Noise in digital cameras can produce color distortion or confetti-like patterns, in indoor lighting typically occurring most severely on the blue component and least severely on the red component. Nearly all digital cameras apply

reciprocity failure
.

Autofocus and auto exposure systems

Traditional exposure metering and autofocus systems employ secondary sensors, whose readings are typically low-fidelity (e.g. a very small number of averaged readings from various image areas vs. fully resolved image information) and may not correspond to the actually recorded image, for example due to

focal plane
of the sensor. Most digital cameras allow users to capture and analyze image information from the same sensor as used for image recording in real-time. Using this information for exposure and focus determination inherently eliminates most alignment and calibration issues, while simultaneously eliminating the cost of secondary metering sensors.

White balance

Film typically assumes using separate films to account for white balance of scene (typically in two variants: for sunlight or tungsten lamps), or usage of filters. Many film cameras had a dial to help user keep track of type of film that was loaded in the camera.

Dynamic range

Banding
may be visible in the unusual case that it is not obscured by noise, and detail may be lost, particularly in shadow and highlight areas.

Digital camera manufacturers have made consistent improvements in the dynamic range captured by their products, with modern cameras having over 14 stops of dynamic range.

high-dynamic-range imaging software.[citation needed] Analog output media also have more limited dynamic range they are able to display relative to pigment-based inkjet media.[citation needed
]

Convenience and flexibility

Flexibility and convenience are among the reasons for the widespread adoption of digital cameras. With film cameras, a roll is usually completely exposed before being processed. When the film is returned, it is possible to see the photograph, but most digital cameras incorporate a

liquid crystal display
that allows the image to be viewed immediately after capture. The photographer may delete undesired or unnecessary photographs, or reshoot the image if required. A user who wants prints can quickly and easily print just the required photographs.

Photographic film is made with specific characteristics of

colour temperature and sensitivity (ISO). Lighting conditions often require characteristics different from those of the film specifications, requiring the use of filters or corrections in processing
. Digital photography allows colour temperature and sensitivity to be adjusted at each shot, either manually or automatically.

Digital images may be conveniently stored on a personal computer or in

colour balance before producing an image. JPEG images can be similarly manipulated, though usually less precisely; software for this purpose may be provided with consumer-grade cameras. Digital photography allows the quick collection of a large quantity of archival documents, bringing convenience, lower cost, and increased flexibility in using the documents.[12]

There are some areas where film may have some advantages. Modern film cameras are not as power-thirsty as modern digital cameras and can last longer on smaller batteries. Some film cameras, especially older ones, can operate without batteries: some will function completely without batteries, while others may lose some functionality such as metering and some shutter speeds. Batteries that only have to power light meters are often very small and can last a long time. This can be a boon for those who may be spending a long time with little or no access to electricity or a source of batteries.

Film speed

Compared to film, digital cameras are capable of much higher speed (sensitivity to light) and can perform better in low light or very short exposures. The effective speed of a digital camera can be adjusted at any time, while the film must be changed in a film camera to change the speed.[citation needed] However, film is available in much lower film speeds than digital which rarely drop below ISO's of 100 or 400, a number of both colour and black & white films are sold with ISO of 50, this allows for a better image in high light conditions providing a smoother image and low grain. Meanwhile black & white films are sold with even lower ISO's such as 20 or 25, as of 2022 the lowest ISO commercially sold is 0.8 (FPP Super Positive) which allows for extremely high contrast images to be taken.

Cleanliness

Dust on the image plane is a constant issue for photographers, and especially so in digital photography. DSLR cameras are especially prone to dust problems because the sensor remains in place, whereas a film advances through the camera for each exposure. Debris in the camera, such as dust or sand, may scratch the film; a single grain of sand can damage a whole roll of film. As film cameras age, they can develop burs on parts inside the film advance chamber. With a digital SLR, dust is difficult to avoid but is easy to rectify using a computer with image-editing software. Some digital SLRs have systems that remove dust from the sensor by vibrating or knocking it, sometimes in conjunction with software that remembers where dust is located and removes dust-affected pixels from images.[citation needed]

Compact digital cameras are fitted with fixed lenses, which makes it harder for dust to get into the image area. Similar film cameras are often only light-tight and not environmentally sealed. Some modern DSLRs, like the Olympus E-3, incorporate extensive dust and weather seals to avoid this problem.

Cost

Film and digital imaging systems have different cost emphases. Digital cameras are significantly more expensive to purchase than film equivalents. Prices are however dropping rapidly due to intense competition. Film cameras, on the other hand, are quite inexpensive to purchase, especially used equipment, but require ongoing film and development costs.

Inkjet printers
can make low-quality prints cheaply and easily from digital files, but high-quality inkjet printing has costs comparable to wet photo process printing, regardless of initial image source.

Film industry

There are film industry specific arguments in the film vs. digital debate.

Most

1080p HD format.[15]

High-profile film directors such as

70mm film prints in years for his film The Master. There also are many film directors such as Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, George Lucas, and James Cameron who are adamant supporters of digital cinema and the potential for higher frame rates
that it brings.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 0-240-51971-X
    . film-versus-digital.
  2. ISBN 0-240-80632-8
    .
  3. ISBN 0-7575-1159-7
    .
  4. ISBN 1-4020-7552-9
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-84882-180-4
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 0-240-51592-7
    .
  7. ^ "Comparing the Image Quality of Film and Digital". 18 December 2014.
  8. ^ Resolution Test Area 2: trees and Mountains Archived 2007-02-09 at the Wayback Machine R. N. Clark, 8 April 2001. Retrieved 2 September 2006.
  9. ^ "Estimating the Resolution of Historic Film Images: Using the Resolving Power Equation (RPE) and Estimates of Lens Quality" (PDF). 9 November 2009.
  10. ^ Shannon information theory, noise and perceived image quality Norman Koren, 2000/2010, retrieved May 2010.
  11. ^ "Nikon D850 Sensor Review: First DSLR to hit 100 points". 6 October 2017.
  12. ^ http://www.physorg.com/news139751840.html,Accelerated Archived 2009-01-25 at the Wayback Machine research using a digital camera
  13. ^ "Is Digital Cheaper Than Film?". Archived from the original on 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  14. ^ Sorrel, Charlie. "5 Reasons to Ditch Your Digital SLR". Wired.
  15. ^ "2K vs 1080p resolution question [Archive] - REDUSER.net".
  16. ^ "Christopher Nolan talks film vs. digital, his take on CGI, his disinterest in 3D, and much more in insightful DGA interview". 15 April 2012.
  17. ^ cigsandvines (10 August 2006). "pta on digital vs. film". Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "Tarantino can't stand digital filmmaking". Digital Spy. 30 November 2012.

External links

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