By Stephen M. Schaub

Just read a quick review of the new Nikon D3 on the Luminous Landscape by James Russel (not my favorite web site but one I keep tabs on from now and then.) The reviewer starts out ok with some good general observations but this line half way into the article pissed me off, to quote:

“…I am hesitant to use the term film-like, because I think film is a romantic notion of the past”

This was a comment on the quality of the noise which many people compare (incorrectly) to film grain. Noise is in most cases ugly and something photographers try to get rid of in their images…gain on the other hand can be- and usually is- beautiful…think TriX. I just wish these digital devotees would realize that comparing film and digital in terms of looks is like comparing an oil painting with a pastel…both are a painting but very, very different and different is good.

Romantic notion of the past…give me a break!

Nuff said.