Logical Reasoning

PT110 · S2 · Q16 Camera manufacturers typically advertise their

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Camera manufacturers typically advertise their products by citing the resolution of their cameras' lenses, the resolution of a lens being the degree of detail the lens is capable of reproducing in the image it projects onto the film.

Conclusion

Differences between cameras in terms of what degree of detail the lens is capable of reproducing in the image it projects onto film are irrelevant for practical photography.

Evidence

All modern lenses are so good that they project far more detail onto the film than any film is capable of reproducing.

Evaluate

If all modern lenses are so good that their max resolution far exceeds the max resolution that can be handled by film, then is there way that differences in lens resolution could be relevant to practical photography?

Is there anything else that lens resolution is related to, besides just the degree of detail the lens is capable of reproducing on film? (do some lens resolutions capture color better? do some practical photographers care about resolution because they'll be looking at the images on computer rather than on film?)

Goal

The correct answer, if negated, should make it sound like even though all lenses are good enough to max out the detail that film can handle, there is still a relevant difference between different lenses for the sake of practical photography.

Since "practical photography" was a New Term in the conclusion, it will probably be in the correct answer.

16.

The argument depends on assuming which one of the following?

  1. The definition of the term

    Too Strong: unimportant

    The author hasn't committed to the view that "resolution" is an unimportant determinant overall; she's only saying it's an irrelevant specification for practical photography, since even the worst resolution available is already a good-enough resolution.

    9% picked this

  2. Correct

    In determining the amount of

    Why this is right

    Yikes, tough answer. We always find it enticing on Necessary Assumption when the answer is structured in a "it is not the case that ____ " way. If we negate this answer, it's saying that "differences in resolution of available lenses do compound the deficiencies of available film." Does that weaken? Yes, that gives us a (confusing) way to say that different resolutions could be relevant to practical photography. We'd be saying, "sure, Camera X can do 10,000 dots per inch. Camera Y can do 5,000 dots per inch. And film is only capable of reproducing 1,000 dots per inch. But ... when film is degraded, it doesn't live up to its max capacity. It might only successfully develop an image that is 800 dots per inch. Camera X, on degraded film, might achieve 800 dots per inch, whereas Camera Y, on the same degraded film, would only muster 700 dots per inch." An easier way to think of this is that the author was assuming that different lens resolutions have no effect on the developed image, since the film's max resolution is lower than the resolution of all these lenses. But when we negate this answer, it's giving us a way in which different lens resolutions could have an effect (and thus could be relevant for practical photography).

    Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    64% picked this

  3. Variations in the method used

    Out of Scope: processing methods

    The author doesn't need to believe that different processing methods have no effect on film resolution. Even if different processing methods have a significant effect on film resolution, the premise will still be true that all lenses are capable of more detail than the film is capable of. So we still haven't weakened the argument, because we haven't come up with a way where different resolutions of lenses would have any relevant impact on practical photography.

    14% picked this

  4. Flawless photographic technique is needed

    Too Strong: flawless technique / needed

    The author hasn't committed herself to the idea that in order to achieve max image resolution given your materials and equipment, you have to be 100% perfect at what you're doing.

    1% picked this

  5. The only factors important in

    Too Strong

    Too Strong: the only Only Thing Mentioned ? Only Thing This is a frequent trap answer pattern. It takes the only stuff the author mentioned and then acts like the author is assuming "that's the only stuff". If we negate this answer, we get that "there is at least one other factor besides lens resolution and film resolution that is important in determining the detail in the photo print". Does that negation weaken the argument? No. Our author doesn't need lens resolution and film resolution to be the only things. Our author is only arguing that it doesn't matter whether you go with a lens resolution of 10,000 vs. 5,000, since the max resolution of film is 1,000.

    12% picked this

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