>What is the approximate resolution of a 35mm frame?
A typical film has a resolution of 50 to 200 lines per millimeter
(films intended specifically for high resolution technical use may get
twice this, at significant loss in tonality). A 35mm full frame is
36 mm wide by 24 mm long, or 3600 x 2400 pixels assuming a "pixel"
is a "line" and 100 lpmm resolution. But as pointed out, it could
be twice that resolution or half that resolution depending on the
film.
The better lenses, when properly focused and used on a tripod, can
resolve better than 100 lines per millimeter. Your typical point
and shoot lens will be lucky if it can resolve 50.
Now compare this to what a 4 in x 5 in "large format" camera can get:
assuming only 50 lines/mm (something easily done with an 60 year
old lens), you get 6250 x 5000 resolution. Not bad for technology
that was mature over a half century ago.
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa_at_trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927
Received on Tue Jul 13 1999 - 19:04:07 BST