hi ng,

I ´ve a question regarding the understanding of the nature of grain in
photographic film. As I understand it what´s normally called "grain"
is the perceived clumping of the silver particles through the depth of
the emulsion. But the size of those silver-halide crystals is between
0,2 and 2,0 µm and grain is said to be between 10 to 30 µm, so both
are well below what our visual system can resolve. Therefore most
publications state that extreme magnifications are needed to see the
grain. So what is the grain pattern we see on only moderately enlarged
prints?  Could it just be the pattern of density differences which are
caused by the clumping of the silver particles?

Best regards!
Monica