better colors from medium and large format...why?

[haring]

Why is it that the color produced by the medium and large format cameras are better than colors produced by 35mm (Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc. DSLR) cameras?

I don't think it is only the digital back or the medium or large format film they are using. It also has to do with the size of the film and the digital back... Why are colors nicer, cleaner if they are recorded on a medium, large format media...? Can anybody explain it briefly?

[KJ Smith]

Larger formats have more surface area to record more detail and tonal range.

[haring]

I know but why can they record more tonal range?

[billbunton]

I'd guess CCD vs. CMOS has something to do with it. The original Canon 1D was CCD, and I still regret selling it.

[TXhummer2]

I have noticed that the in camera processing of jpegs in my Nikon D90 shows more of the color I see when the COLOR SPACE is set to Adobe RGB. I cannot get the same color depth from any processing of the raw file that should contain more than the jpeg does. Proven with difficult natural lighting on my wife's quilts.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by haring

I know but why can they record more tonal range?

More area for the gradations to show themselves.

Film is still better in this area, at least in B&W.

[srwatters]

Larger photosites and 16 bit color depth. The absolute best in the 35mm form factor is 14 bit.

[haring]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

More area for the gradations to show themselves.

Film is still better in this area, at least in B&W.

I see! thanks!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Also each sensor "bit/pixel" size tends to be larger on the MF sensor vs the 35mm. If you look at the size of the 35 sensor and say it is 20 meg an equivalent MF would be around 80 meg in size hence even a 60 meg MF can have each sensor a bit larger which equates out to more precise color rendering.

Same thing is kind of true on LF film, the individual chemical receptors can be a bit larger on sheet film vs 120 or 35mm film. Also your putting the same scene over a larger surface hence each part of the scene can cover more film and be renedered in more detail. Say take a scene/subject and cut it into a grid of 140 pieces by 100 each piece on a LF or even MF would be llarger than on a 35mm.

[haring]

it makes sense!

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by srwatters

...and 16 bit color depth. The absolute best in the 35mm form factor is 14 bit.

yeah, we were discussing this in another thread briefly. It's amazing what the jump from 14 to 16 can get you! However, many of your final viewing options won't take advantage of anything bigger than 8 bit, which is a shame. However, I'm sure that will change with time.