shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
How does the physics of light limit camera design?
Interesting article written by David B. Goldstein.
Interesting article written by David B. Goldstein.
antiquark
Derek Ross
Goldstein article:
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/guest/physical_limits.html
On a somewhat related note, you might find this page interesting. It's about a guy who is trying the make the highest resolution film camera possible:
http://gigapxl.org/technology.htm
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/guest/physical_limits.html
On a somewhat related note, you might find this page interesting. It's about a guy who is trying the make the highest resolution film camera possible:
http://gigapxl.org/technology.htm
BillBingham2
Registered User
Physics has a this wonder way of working its way out. Back in 1990 the folks doing chip and board design were worried about breaking the GHz barrier and getting the bits to turn right angles. Seems they have figured it out, I'm sure what ever they bump into they will break through.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
Derek very interesting article .... and thanks for posting the link to the Goldstein's article ...
JPresley
randomly snapping
That was a very interesting article. The practical implication seems to be that it is now safe to buy a modern digital camera and know that there will be only moderate improvements in image quality and high ISO performance in the near future, at least at that sensor size. I.e., the useful lifetime of the camera will be measured by how long the various components, especially electronics remain in good order or at least repairable.
Video and camera configurations are another matter. Perhaps the once-mighty Nikon and Canon after being rolled over by the 4/3rds juggernaut in 2011-2012 will team up with Leica to sell a few high-priced DSLRs and rangefinders to a niche market of enthusiasts.
Video and camera configurations are another matter. Perhaps the once-mighty Nikon and Canon after being rolled over by the 4/3rds juggernaut in 2011-2012 will team up with Leica to sell a few high-priced DSLRs and rangefinders to a niche market of enthusiasts.
aniMal
Well-known
VERY interesting!
It actually makes me happy that there is a barrier coming up, then the hysterics of upgrading will die...
I think the author has proved his point very convincingly, and I would never have guessed that someting like 6 photons hit each pixel in the shadows at high ISO... How would one be able to counter that effect technically? I cannot see any ways around this other than building bigger cameras, as he says himself.
The points on shutter speed and DOF are also good, and something that I have worked out myself over the past couple of years shooting digital. With my new Sony A900 and Zeiss 85 1.4 I can see this clearly, on a couple of meters the DOF is something like 1-2 centimeters, compared to approx 5 for film...
I had a feeling when I bought the A900 that it would last some years, and now I can happily relax it seems. Also the Zeiss 85 is at its sharpest at 4.0, which should be about perfect!
There are also rumours that the next Canon 1DS MK4 will be coming out with a 35x35 square sensor of 36mpix. Seems like that is the only way of topping the mpix race... Or going larger, like the new Leica system - perhaps that was indeed a smart move for the long run!
It actually makes me happy that there is a barrier coming up, then the hysterics of upgrading will die...
I think the author has proved his point very convincingly, and I would never have guessed that someting like 6 photons hit each pixel in the shadows at high ISO... How would one be able to counter that effect technically? I cannot see any ways around this other than building bigger cameras, as he says himself.
The points on shutter speed and DOF are also good, and something that I have worked out myself over the past couple of years shooting digital. With my new Sony A900 and Zeiss 85 1.4 I can see this clearly, on a couple of meters the DOF is something like 1-2 centimeters, compared to approx 5 for film...
I had a feeling when I bought the A900 that it would last some years, and now I can happily relax it seems. Also the Zeiss 85 is at its sharpest at 4.0, which should be about perfect!
There are also rumours that the next Canon 1DS MK4 will be coming out with a 35x35 square sensor of 36mpix. Seems like that is the only way of topping the mpix race... Or going larger, like the new Leica system - perhaps that was indeed a smart move for the long run!
JPresley
randomly snapping
I agree. Of course, there is also the question of whether we need all this resolution and low-light capability all of the time. My non-state-of-the-art DSLR has an easier time getting a clean imagein low light than my CLE, but the CLE is sometimes more fun.
wgerrard
Veteran
What we really need is a camera based on quantum physics. Then, you'll get that shot you forgot to grab 5 minutes ago.