Originally Posted by
Pere Casals
You only have digital noise in the crazy high high densities, this would be in the extreme Velvia shadows, this is electronic noise.
Your V550 delivers 1500dpi effective, if you get the V800 you will have 2800dpi effective in the transverse axis and some 2300dpi in the vertical axis, so some 2500dpi effective average, this is a big leap forward concerning grain.
IMHO the V800 is very capable for LF and even MF, for 35mm film you may want an additional 35mm cheap Plustek.
I most practical situations the V800 nearly matches camera/film performance for LF, and for LF grain is usually not a concern.
For roll film you may want to exploit grain structure. To me TMax or Delta flat grains are not interesting for the aesthetics. IMHO those were products intended to minimize grain, not intended to deliver a nice structure.
HP5, FP4, TX, and TXP are a different war. Those films evolved during many decades and are still there because they have an strong aesthetic culture backing them.
After releasing TMax kodak planned to discontinue TX. A riot was assembled, kodak managers didn't know why photographers were buying TX...
TX/TXP delivers more grain in the shadows than in the mids (if scene microcontrast not masking grain), delivering a dramatic mood. HP5 has its peak grain in the mid grays, delivering a particular atmosphere.
Format modulates grain. 35mm shows a lot, 645 vs 6x7cm is not the same. And LF hides most grain.
So, to me, for grain wait until you have the 800 and see. IMHO you'll be happy with MF and LF scans. If wanting a better depiction for 35mm than you'll need an additional cheap Plustek 35mm, if not wanting to spend a lot in a Plustek 120.
Note that V850 bundles a silverfast version that is Multi-Exposure capable, which is good for Velvia extreme shadows, with V800 you can purchase that software feature in the future if you want. This is an important difference I see V800-850. V850 have the lenses coated, but I guess that this is not much noticed.
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