Comments on theatre of noise: Thinking Outside The Frame: Sensor Sizes Explained...

This article is stale. Much better to read
2011-08-22T22:14:54.227+01:00
This article is stale. Much better to read Equivalence of Camera Systems.

Argument why 'quadratic' measure is better...

2009-12-23T10:00:40.722Z

Argument why 'quadratic' measure is better than 'linear':

The quality (resolution, dynamic range, signal to noise, colour recording) of any recorded image is dependant on the number of photons falling on the sensor (film or digital). No matter how hard you try with clever processing to reduce noise, expand dynamic range, up-scale pixels (or what ever else you try to do) the more information from the original will give you better results. The amount of light falling on the sensor is proportional to its area, not length of any side or diagonal so the quality difference between two (otherwise similar) sensors is related to the ratio of their areas - hence a 'quadratic' measure is the better one to use.

I would like to see a convincing argument for whet...

2009-11-30T13:12:02.485Z

I would like to see a convincing argument for whether a linear or quadratic measure is better for measuring sensor "quality", so if you have one, send it along.

In terms of lenses I believe that it is easier to make one for a larger sensor, since it does not need to be so precise. The denser the pixels the harder a lens has to work to resolve them.

If you use a FF lens on an APS-C body only the center of the glass is used, so light fall-off and certain other undesirable qualities are minimised. However, only the very best such lenses will perform optimally.

There is indeed a distinct difference between APS-C and 35mm, as I point out in the article. I wanted only to indicate that much larger differences to be found by moving up to medium format. I have rewritten two key sentences a little to clarify this context.

Hi there - I've read a few of your posts with ...

2009-11-30T11:34:12.317Z

Hi there - I've read a few of your posts with great interest - thanks.

The difference between the sensor sizes is greater than you state. In terms of area the full frame is 2.5 times greater than the aps. This really changes how a lens functions - it has to do with mtf curves - don't ask.

The upshot is that a FF of the same megapixel count, using the same lens as an aps will have around 50% more actual resolution. Additionally it will record about twice as many colors.

For a lot of stuff it's not so important - but for critical work it really can be.

I haven't mentioned the point and shoots because even the best is fighting an uphill battle. And the medium format is too expensive for many to consider.

Comments on theatre of noise: Thinking Outside The Frame: Sensor Sizes Explained...

This article is stale. Much better to read 2011-08-22T22:14:54.227+01:00 This article is stale. Much better to read Equivalence of Camera Systems.

Argument why 'quadratic' measure is better...

I would like to see a convincing argument for whet...

Hi there - I've read a few of your posts with ...

This article is stale. Much better to read
2011-08-22T22:14:54.227+01:00
This article is stale. Much better to read Equivalence of Camera Systems.