Film Latitude

[jchooper12]

Just read up on this topic in my NYIP course and was wondering how the Film Latitude relates to my D200. What would the latitude for the D200 be, is this the same as Dynamic Range? Is is 9 stops, 5 stops? How many stops underexposure vs. number of stop overexposure?

I undersatand some films have a 9 stop range, some a 3 stop range. Can someone shed some light on the subject???

Thanks!!!

[Big Dog]

Dynamic range and latitude are not the same, but can be considered to be related.

Dynamic range is the range of values from the darkest to the lightest in an image.

Latitude is the amount of over or under exposure that will still yield a usable result.

Both of these definitions are a bit simplified and a full discussion of either cannot be done in a forum like this. (Plus, I'm not an expert.) I cannot comment on your specific digital camera. As for film, different films have different dynamic ranges and a given film can have its range altered by changes in processing. Too many variables to give a pat answer on that one.

As for latitude of film: again - changes in processing will have an effect. But "generally", the useful exposure latitude of color transparency film (slides) is fairly narrow, while color negative film is much more forgiving - especially toward over exposure. Likewise, B&W film can ("can" mind you) be very forgiving also, as development techniques can alter the characteristics substantially.

Hope this doesn't muddy the waters too much.

[CobyPhoto]

Most film, excluding trancparency, has about 9-11 stops of lattitude. Meaning, you can over expose by about 6 stops, and underexpose by about 5 and still get a printable image from the negative. (Require a knowledgeable person in the darkroom...but can be done.) That is a pretty wide range of lattitude and one of the wonderous thing about film.

Transparency film...about a 1 stop lattitude! 2/3 stop over and 1/3 under. You either get it right with transparency or your don't.

Digital, is about 6 stops of lattitude and it is more toward the underexposed than over. This will vary with camera brand and sensor as well, I would think. Regardless, digital has less lattitude than film anyway you figure it.

Both of these definitions are a bit simplified and a full discussion of either cannot be done in a forum like this. (Plus, I'm not an expert.) I cannot comment on your specific digital camera. As for film, different films have different dynamic ranges and a given film can have its range altered by changes in processing. Too many variables to give a pat answer on that one.

This can turn into a very technical and opinionated subject! LOL

CJ

[venchka]

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

Most film, excluding trancparency, has about 9-11 stops of lattitude. Meaning, you can over expose by about 6 stops, and underexpose by about 5 and still get a printable image from the negative. (Require a knowledgeable person in the darkroom...but can be done.) That is a pretty wide range of lattitude and one of the wonderous thing about film.

Transparency film...about a 1 stop lattitude! 2/3 stop over and 1/3 under. You either get it right with transparency or your don't.

Digital, is about 6 stops of lattitude and it is more toward the underexposed than over. This will vary with camera brand and sensor as well, I would think. Regardless, digital has less lattitude than film anyway you figure it.



This can turn into a very technical and opinionated subject! LOL

CJ

I've had different experiences. Your mileage may vary.

[jchooper12]

First thank you for the anwers. On a Digital Camera I would venture that a person should be able to physically measure the Latitude to show the actual f stops. I would guess it is a matter of just running some tests to determine what the fstop range is. Just learning this so not sure how to do it yet.

[venchka]

There is no substitute for correct exposure. Latitude and dynamic range fall into the category of "C.Y.A.".

You're probably correct about digital sensors. I'm surprised the makers don't tout their exposure latitiude and dynamic range numbers. Perhaps when the pixel count nonsense runs it's course, they will turn to other trivia in their marketing efforts.