I really like this thread.  Some really good ideas.

One that I don't think has come out is that the digitals out there have a
significant advantage for photographing small objects over film.  This is a
longer depth of focus.  I think this is due to the size of the CCD chip (i.e.
the "film" in a digital camera) being around a quarter the size of 35mm film.
 In many of the reviews on digital cameras this is expressed as a
disadvantage when taking portrait photos because it can be difficult to have
the subject in focus and the background out of focus.

I recently purchased my second digital (the first was an Olympus 1400L = D600
in US).  It's an Olympus 2100 Ultra Zoom.  I also have a Nikon 801S with a
60mm macro lens.

My experience is that I am not a good enough photographer to maximise the
potential resolution of film.  Generally my ability to take photos is the
limiting factor.  Lighting, steady camera, in focus, etc. all conspire
against me in most of my shots.  I have a good film scanner (Nikon Coolscan
LS-200, 2,700dpi) and the resolution of this is about half the theoretical
potential of average film.  In my case however I never achieve that
potential.  I know that others more adept than I am, often do.

However my latest digital has really impressed me.  With a 10 x optical zoom
that is *mechanically* stablilized (sharp hand held shots on full zoom with
half second exposures!), I have been holding a cheap (US$25) Macro lens (a
+4) over the front (from my old camera, different thread size) for some
results that make my previous results seem poor.  If you are interested, take
a look at:

www.airborne.co.nz/bees1.htm

I would welcome any comments.

Cheers,
Peter Bray
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Airborne Honey Ltd., Pennington St, PO Box 28, Leeston,
New Zealand Fax 64-3-324-3236,  Phone 64-3-324-3569
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