ok, camera nuts...

[JanRSmit]

Basically the dynamic range of the best digital camera's is ~ 14 stops(= 14 bit). As i onderstand it, this is a technical /economical barrier in the sensor electronics.

 

Per pixel quality is dependent amongst others on the physical size of a sensel. Thus on the physical size of the whole sensor.

I do not have in depth experience with emulsion based film, but to my knowledge the dynamic range of emulsion film is not more than 14 stops.

 

As a Fine Art printer i see images made with many different camera's. The blogger the sensor the better, that is more realistic, the image captured is. The medium frame(hasselblad. Phase One, Fuji) are better than the full frame Nikon, Canon, etc.

 

A big differentiator however is the chosen exposure. Mostly one under-exposes. Thus reducing the usable dynamic range.

The zone system is mentioned, thus Ansel Adams implicitly. One of his principles is : expose for the shadows, develop for the highlights . In essence this is maximising the usable dynamic range.