Could a digital camera produce an image like this?

yes, with the right lighting, and the right photographer.

That's been one of my favorite pictures of all time. My sister made a painting of it and it hung on a wall in my office for about 10 years before she re-claimed it.

Anyhow, I am sure a digital camera could do this. Most DSLR's could do it easily. Probably not at the time the picture was taken, but today - no problem. If you are concerned about the possible loss of detail in the shadows - which seem minimal - there are several cameras now with a dynamic range booster, like Nikon's Active D-Lighting and others, that would make this a cakewalk.

a digital camera could pull off most shots given the right circumstances, just not as good as 120 film. For a small web picture like this, no difference however I can scan the equivelant of a 100mp camera image (10 000 x 10000 pixels) on my home flatbed. Not even mentioning a drum scan! Digital has a LONG way to go to catch up to MF images. And pixels is only one part of the equation. There are many other advantages to MF film, ut for little web pics digital is great.

Right tools for the right jobs. Bring on the thumbs down.

They're getting close, but there is still room for improvement - in resolution and in dynamic range. I have seen this photo and the more recent one

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/afghan-girl/imag...

side by side, 16x20. Viewing them that large, up close, it's hard to imagine a digital process producing an image that would stand up to that much enlargement.

It's on the horizon, though.

16 x 20 (inches) x 300 x 300 (dpi) = 27.5 megapixels.

32-bit RAW format, anyone?

I think that most good digital slrs would be capable of taking that photo. The quality of light along with great subject matter are what make that photograph great.

Ed

Easily. The Nikon D series, even the cheapest, with lens and filter, would capture this perfectly. I have the older Nikon D-50, and it takes amazing pictures. The newer just get better...

stupid question, camera only records whats there it doesnt produce any effect or anything.