> As far as the dynamic range question goes I'd rather see how the image 
> looks on
> an LCD with whatever dynamic range the system can handle than see a nice 
> image
> in an optical system then get a very different result.


As I noted earlier on, it's a religious question, and a complex one.
It does help to have used equipment extensively with both sets of attributes 
to get a feel for why both have good and bad points. People are welcome to 
be wed to one aspect or another, and many are.

Focusing on any one aspect or set of aspects can lead you to a different 
conclusion than others who focus on different aspects, or who (try to) take 
a holistic view. eg seeing how an image looks on an LCD would only be useful 
as an indication of dynmaic range if the LCD could handle the dynamic range 
that the sensor can provide, AND if it handles it in the same way, AND if it 
handles it in the same manner as the ultimate output device does, AND if the 
eye can perceive the result in the same manner on the lCD in a camera a sit 
can in the ultimate output device. The current (in)ability to render the 
full colour gamut on an LCD display has already been mentioned. The fact 
that a "RAW" data dump allows of subsequent proessing capabilities not 
available in a rendered display also needs noting. And there are, of course, 
more relevant factors. As a general rule, an "8" x 10" wedding photo on top 
class paper is going to look better than anything you can see in any LCD or 
other display that anyone is going to put in even the top mass market 
cameras. The day this isn't true is welcome to arrive, but it's not here 
yet.

So, for now, the optical path through a lens to a trained and experienced 
eye (overlapping qualifications) provides an image closer to the original 
than is easy to get by other means. The T&EE and brain can take that 
information and decide how it will look on the ultimate output device, 
knowing how good (or not) the various aspects are of the system that affect 
storage of the sensor data, and adjusting for the display attributes that it 
knows are present. AND having a 'live view' or even dead view LCD display 
also provides information not available directly optically (as in my beloved 
7Hi - it's beloved for a reason). The proper combination will lead to the 
awesome cameras we will begin to see a year or two from now. I'm looking 
forward to it.


     Russell 

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