A brief follow up to the post where I declared scanned 4x5 a clear winner in large, 48"x72" prints...
I have had a bit more time to "learn" the 1DsII files, and now with C1 and ACR available to convert, I re-did a head-to-head print comparison. This time I chose a more realistic 32 inch wide print size, since that is as large as I usually ever print.
For this size print, I printed the scanned 4x5 without interpolation at 240PPI. For the 1DsII file I first converted the file with C1, applied a proprietary sharpening routine, and then had to interpolate this file up by 400% to get a comparable print size (at 300PPI).
I won't bore you with actual pixel views of the results, because they are not significantly different than before -- the scan has more detail, period.
HOWEVER, now that I have the raw conversion process for the 1DsII files better tuned, the final digital 32x48 inch print looks sharper than the 32x40 scanned 4x5 print -- moreover, this is with my corrective reading glasses on and nose in the print! Frankly, I was stunned by this fact and went back to make sure I had the files labeled properly... I did. Only when you put a loupe to the print, can you see more detail in the 4x5 verison, yet the 1DsII image definitely looks better -- being both sharper and cleaner -- to the naked eye, even up close.
FWIW, I NEVER got anything this good out of the 1Ds... So I am going to slide carefully out on a limb and declare the 1DsII an INFREAKINGCREDIBLE camera!
(I realize a few regulars on this site may be offended by the implication that the 1DsII is generating clearly superior prints to the 1Ds from a detail standpoint, but the fact is I'm now getting results from my 1DsII that simply blow me away. I have a local friend who has a 1Ds, so I am planning a follow up report on a head-to-head, same image, same time of day, same lens, comparison of the 1Ds and 1DsII. With a little luck, we may even have a P25 available at the same time to include in that comparison )
Happy holidays to all!
Jack