DStretch - Digital vs Film

You are probably thinking why is this even a debate worth discussing, film is dead and digital is better anyway, how could a film photograph possibly be anywhere near as good for using with DStretch compared to a high resolution digital photograph...well so did I so I decided to make an experiment and see. I know I have some old film photographs of rock art somewhere, wouldn't it be cool to scan those in and run DStretch on them?

To make this experiment even more of a challenge, I used a vintage 1937 Zeiss Nettar 6x9 folding camera. I used modern Kodak Potra 160 color film. For the digital camera I used a new Canon S100 digital camera on "P" mode. I had the film developed by a local lab and they scanned it to disk for me in the lowest resolution they have which is 3034x2048(6.2MP). The digital file was 3000x4000(12.0MP) I did not do any post processing on either file other than run DStretch on them. I used the default preset of YRD on both.

Here are the original photos

Digital Camera


Film Camera


Here are the DStretched versions

Digital Camera


Film Camera


What do you think? Better than you thought I would bet, I have to say I like the film version better. So does this mean I am shooting film from now on for all my rock art? Ummm, no...not at all, that would cost a fortune!! Digital still makes much more sense for rock art and you can take hundreds of photos and it costs nothing. This does make an interesting case for finding some of my old negatives and trying to scan them in to run DStretch on them. Let me know if you have any similar results.

As a bonus, here is photo I accidentally double exposed, those old cameras don't have built in double exposure prevention mechanisms so you gotta remember to wind the film before taking the next shot...ooops!

Star Trails double exposed with rock art

Little Blair to Alma Wash Backpack Trip - ABDSP

Did a 2 day backpack trip from Little Blair over to Alma Wash, one of my most favorite trips in ABDSP so far, awesome backcountry scenery. My son was able to go on this trip also which I am happy about, I enjoy having him go out with me on trips. It was two full days of remote desert hiking, very peaceful and enjoyable.

Here is the approximate route


In my quest to continue devolving as a photographer I brought a 1937 Zeiss Nettar 515/2 folding camera. It is actually a very good camera and has a nice sharp lens, I think it is my new favorite camera. This camera is a 6x9 format and uses 120 size film so I get 8 exposures per roll. Notice the light meter, leather case and focus chart sheet on the ground. This photo courtesy of Craig and his phone camera.


Double exposure prevention mechanism...not on this baby! Ooops....Star trails double exposed with rock art. Kodak Portra 160


Here is a DStretched version, I like this one better


This is looking at the Laguna Mountains on our way up Whale Peak. Kodak Portra 160


Spencer staying tough up Whale Peak. Kodak Portra 160


Christopher and Craig heading down the ridge towards Split Rock, Salton Sea way off in the distance. Kodak Portra 160


Sunset from our campsite near Split Rock. Kodak Portra 160


Somewhere in Hapaha Flat taking a break and checking the maps. I took this picture with my polarized sun glasses in front of the lens. Kodak Ektar 100


Looking down an unnamed drainage we hiked up from Hapaha Flat. Kodak Ektar 100


Craig and Christopher smile for the camera. Kodak Ektar 100


Christopher looking back at the ridge we came down the day before. Kodak Ektar 100


Dead Bighorn Ram, photo with digital camera (yeah, I brought my Canon S100 just in case)


Half way down the ridge into Starfish Cove. Kodak Ektar 100


Christopher and Craig at the mouth of Alma Wash, I think this photo sums up the trip, we were all beat by the end of day 2. Kodak Ektar 100


On our way home I had the pleasure of experiencing the red lights of the wind turbines in Ocotillo, can't say I enjoyed it. Photo from digital camera, I ran out of film.


Total Mylar Balloons this trip - 3 and a bonus Radiosonde Weather Balloon