| Re: D1x skin tones and resolution
The workflow is really a shame. I think a lot of the problems will be resolved when professional labs start to understand digital and make it their primary product.
The problems we face...
1. copying files from CAM to COMPUTER.
(this is fairly quick, I use a card reader but it still takes time)
2. Converting from RAW to TIF. I prefer Canon's software for quality, but it's very time consuming - and VERY UNSTABLE. I've been having a lot of lock up and crashes from it lately. Even more when running other software at the same time. (ie Pshop).
3. Moving TIF files to media for the lab to get the images for proofing. File sizes are so large that a CDR burn is almost always necessary. Even with my fast CDR burner the process can take 8-10 minutes. Multiply this per 6-7 sessions per day comes to... (to dang much time).
4. My lab can't seem to number digital previews. like they do my film one. (they normally stick a number on a neg and matching proof) I can't seem to get them to number my digital proofs. (one of those lab get with the program issues).
5. My Lab charges almost double for a digital proof over a film proof. (they want to pay for that Fuji Frontier before it's obsolute. (another lab get with the digitial program issue).
6. My lab can't seem to get their Fuji machine to print a 4x5. It prints 4x6 or 4x5.5 (eithet way, it means we have to manually trim each proof - 30 per session, 6-
7. sessions a day (means to much work). This is a lab or Fuji get with the program issue. (Is fuji really so stupid that they make a machine with a max size limit of 10x15?????
And can't make a 4x5 print?
8. If I get things proofed, the customer orders, now I have to go to the computer and dig out the digital file, retouch it and crop it myself (one of those my lab isn't in the real digital world and can't retouch or edit a digital file with any level of competance. (more time required of us)
9. My normal lab can't make bigger than a 10x15. (that translates to 8x10 in the professional portrait world) So any 11x14 or larter print orders (which are quite common) need to go to yet another lab I don't normally use. (because their machine can make larger prints, but they can't digitally proof 4x5 prints in bulk on this machine.)
Holy Cow - what a pain in the butt, I'm shooting film! The problem, now that we have cameras that can deliver the goods equal to film, is that we don't have the labs or equipment or competent lab workers who can actually give us what we need.
I have excellent luck with shooting digital because I'm a skilled digital artist. But then I get anywhere from 300.00 to 3,000.00 per hour for my time. It's not profitable for me to work on a image for 30 minutes to sell a 8x10.
But digital has it's place. I've used it for all my daughters senior pictures. (she's special and worth the extra time). I also used it for my two special "beach sessions". I've shot so far. It gives me more control over the final image. And I'm able to retouch problems that would be impossible if shooting film. The D30 has also been invaluable for shooting children. It's light weight allows me to be mobile enough to get kids on the move, and it's auto focus lets me get the shot/expression before it's gone.
So digital has it's place for me. As long as it's a LOW VOLUME subject matter.
For commercial photographers, or any photographer shooting a couple jobs a week or even a couple of subjects per day - he can spent the rest of his day processing images. But for a busy photographer who is shooting non stop 7-8 hours a day like myself. It can't replace the ease of film.  | 
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