icemncmth wrote:
Does a 8x10 film camera take better pics than a 35mm or is there just more information on the negative?
Actually, when it comes to film-based photography, bigger is generally better - in terms of negative size. In digital photography, we must deal with a phenomena called "noise ' - digital artifacts produced in-camera, usually in low-light situations.
In film photography, one encounters a phenomena which may look similar - called "grain." Quotes Wikipedia: "Film grain or granularity is the random optical texture of processed photographic film due to the presence of small particles of a metallic silver, or dye clouds, developed from silver halide that have received enough photons. While film grain is a function of such particles (or dye clouds) it is not the same thing as such. It is an optical effect, the magnitude of which (amount of grain) depends on both the film stock and the definition at which it is observed. It can be objectionably noticeable in an over-enlarged photographic film photograph."
And that last statement is the operative consideration in the world of film-based photography. In other words, enlarge a 35 mm negative to 8x10, you also enlarge the grain. But if one shoots with a 4x5 or 8x10 studio camera, there is much less, or no, enlarging, therefore the grain remains smaller and much less noticeable.
Film manufacturers were constantly altering the chemical make-up of their film stock in an effort to lower grain, but always, you'd see pros using larger former film to lower the effects of grain.
So, yes, an 8x10 negative will print with much more pleasing results than will a 35mm negative. Dig around in your junk boxes and see whether you still have some of those little 3x5 or 4x6 snapshots made with a 110mm pocket camera. Grab one of those negs and have an 11x14 print made. You'll see the difference.
In one way, DSLRs with higher resolution offer a similar result. Higher resolution sensors produce a physically larger image, something in the range of 20+ x 35+ inch range, or larger. Schrink one of those down to an 8x10, and the effect of noise is negligible. Higher res = larger physical file = ability to make larger enlargements.