Daily Archives: February 23, 2013

It’s tough to admit when you’re wrong!  The announcement of the new Nikon D7100 has caused a focus shift in my thinking about sensors. Let’s start a year ago when the D800/800e was introduced. The e version was first met with some skepticism.  I think a lot of us feared that moire patterns would be a real issue.  For that reason I had little interest in the “e” version.  Now I find my attitude kind of strange, since for me, image quality is paramount. I will put up with almost any quirks to get the ultimate in image quality.  It was not until the 800e had been out for several months that I started hearing about how much sharper the images were coming out of that camera, and very few , if any, moire issues!!!  I was till suspicious, but the reports kept pouring in.  I decided to investigate the whole issue.  I got a D800e and did some shooting and was shocked at the difference.  I borrowed a friends Fuji X-Pro1 and was amazed at the clarity of that sensor.  I looked at some work from the Leica M9, same thing, very crisp!!  Now Nikon is introducing another camera with a sensor free of the optical low pass filter.

 

For some time the big medium format cameras like the Phase One and Hasselblads have bee free of these filters.  Something is up here!!!  So I went on a research effort, shooting various cameras, and comparing them to conventional sensor technology. I’ve drawn a few conclusons;

 

1.  All things being equal, sensors that have eliminated the Optical Low Pass Filter, are indeed capable of producing higher resolution and apparent sharper results.

 

2.  I’ve shot the Nikon D800e and the D800 and when I retire I think I will opt for the 800e if I decide to get that particular model.  Is the 800e much higher resolving than a D600 which I particularly like?  Yes, but the D600 is already a very crisp image producer….  It is a personal choice and not an easy one.  In keeping with my quest for the ultimate image quality, it is going to be hard not to own and use a D800e!!

 

3.  While I have not yet seen or shot a D7100, I have no doubt that it will be “the” DX body of choice for me.  I would expect it to be a super camera in the DX range with 24 mega pixels and the new unique sensor arrangement.  I certainly will let you know when I get one to try, test, and shoot.

 

4.  I hope a future version of the Nikon 1 & 2 Series to employ this sensor arrangement, though I know nothing to indicate that this is planned.  I have shot both the Fuji X-Pro 1 and the X-E1 cameras and the X-Trans sensor in them, without Optical Low Pass Filter, performs spectacularly.  

 

5. I do not access to the medium format cameras, but I will accept the word of others that they perform at a high level as well!

 

6,  The images I’ve seen from the very, very expensive Leica M9 confirms my finding so far.

 

Conclusion:  If you are buying a new camera and want the absolute latest technology and highest possible image quality, I would say, if you are a Nikon shooter, the D800e and new D7100 should be at the top of your list.  If you shoot other brands, then the Fuji’s and Leica should be considered. One thing for sure if you go with the M9, get ready to shell out $20,000. for a body  and three lenses!!!!  A little steep for me!

 

The Big Question:  Can you get extraordinary quality without going that route?  Sure, but it’s like football, it’s a game of inches!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim