Richard & Caroline's Blog

We all want more resolution, and towards this end megapixel counts get higher and higher.

When it comes to resolution though, there are often surprises in store.

The current champion for Small Format (ie 35mm sensors), is the Leica M9 (18MP) with the Nikon D3X (24MP) a close second.

This surprises a lot of people. The general rule is the more megapixels the more resolution, but the Lecia M9, and now the recently announced Fuji X Pro 1 show there is another way.

What many people do not realise is that there is a filter designed to stop Moiré in front of the sensor.  An unfortunate consequence of this; is that it reduces resolution.  Back in the days when cameras were under 4MP, Moiré was common so a strong anti-aliasing filter was necessary, as megapixel counts increase it becomes less common, and when it does happen it can be corrected in post production.

Example of Moiré from: http://www.ics.uci.edu/~eppstein/pix/casselpool/FenceMoire.html

As most camera users do not do much post production then it is in the camera makers best interest to put in a strong anti-aliasing.

Medium Format Camera Manufacturers  expect there cameras to be used by professionals and that post production on the images will be done as a matter of course.  So they do not use anti-aliasing filters, thus have very high resolutions, far exceeding what you might expect from there megapixel count.

Now though Small Format Camera Manufacturers are also starting to do this.  The Leica M8 was one of the first, followed by the Leica M9.  These cameras are targeted at the professional and enthusiast market.

Many people surmise that the new Sony NEX-7 has a weaker then normal filter and Fuji have admitted that this is the case with the new Fuji X-Pro 1.

Lets hope more Camera Manufacturers take note.

As a side note it should be remembered that the more Megapixels then potentially the slower the camera, the slower your workflow, the more storage you need, the bigger and faster your computer needs to be (don’t forget more memory) and in low light the more noise and poorer image quality you may have.  There is a reason why many photographers prefer the Nikon D3s (12MP) verses the Nikon D3x (24MP).

As is traditional with Adobe Lightroom, a Beta version of the about to be released Version 4 has been released.

The big news is a new books module and a map module, to join the existing Library, Develop, Web and Print.

Major updates to the Develop module have been made as well as the Print Module.  The printing in Lightroom has always been better then just about any other product and now its few deficiencies has been addressed.

I have not had enough time to really test it yet or to get to grips with the new features and options but the updated RAW processing engine does seem to produce good results.

 

Here is a quick test shot of Dani that I took during a recent lighting test, taken with my Nikon D200, and processed with the latest Beta.  No work in Photoshop just the options available in the Develop module in Lightroom V4, a little spotting, some softening and a little extra sharpening on the eyes, then a vignette.  For a quick one minute edit it looks pretty good.

I have a number of Photography Projects planned this year, and what many people may find surprising is that some will involve film.

Digital is extremely useful and convenient, and offers many advantages over film, but if your shooting Medium or Large format then the cost of shooting digital is prohibitive for most of us.

A second hand 16MP back for Medium format will set you back at least £2000.  While prices are falling, for now I have to shoot film for Medium and Large format.  Film also has a look that for many is preferable to digital, and I do enjoy the challenge of film.

My long term Landscape Project is not a new idea, and many people have done it before, but I am going to document a particular scene over the next twelfth months to record how it changes as the seasons change.  This last weekend was my first chance to start work on it but unfortunately the weather was too poor.  Hopefully I will get out next weekend to this location and try again.

Processed in Adobe Lightroom 4 Beta

One thing Landscape Photographers have plenty of, is patience.

I cannot quite believe how lucky we Photographers are at the moment.

The new Panasonic GX1, Olympus Pen 3, my Lovely little Nikon V1 and let’s not forget the Sony Nex-7 with its stunning EVF.

Well following on the steps of the great Fuji X1, then the X100, we now have the Fuji X-Pro 1. Another large sensor mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens.

From what I have seen so far it looks good.

What’s truly interesting about this camera is its weak anti aliasing filter and custom bayer filter may make it one of the highest resolution camera since the Nikon D3x and Leica M9.

If your after a small interchangeable lens camera things have never looked so good.

So Nikon finally announced the D4 last week.

The comments from people are pretty much as I expected.  Professionals like it, a good blend of compromises to produce a good all round professional SLR.

Many negative comments as well.  Most being about the low megapixel count.  Only 16MP people cry, well many award winning photographs have been taken with old 2MP cameras!

Large sensor (full frame 35mm) and smaller number of photo sites brings many advantages.  Cleaner pixels, better low light performance.

For those bemoaning the low pixel count, how big do you want to print?

If your after printing bigger, or possibly more dynamic range then the 35mm SLR may not be the tool for you.  Most professional fashion photographers shoot Medium Format.  Landscape Photographers shoot Medium or Large Format.

The 35mm SLR is all about compromise, and this camera looks to be a great blend of compromises.  Once again with the excellent low light performance, this looks like a great camera for Sports, Wildlife, News and for Wedding Photographers who need to shoot indoors in buildings where flash is not allowed.  Also the new silent mode looks interesting.

My only only concern is the XQD slot.  I like Compact Flash.  Big cards when shooting outdoors in the cold with gloves on are a major advantage to those small easy to lose SD cards.  Will XQD take off, and how easy is it to handle with gloves on.

Will I be getting one?  No I don’t think so, I do not shoot  enough professionally to justify the cost, but I might be tempted to pick up a reduced price D3.