To AA Filter or Not

An AA (Anti-Alias) filter is a filter that is placed in front of a sensor in a camera. It is also known as OLPF (Optical Low Pass Filter).  It typically is used in all DSLR and MirrorLess cameras (and may be used in other formats). It attempts to control the Moire effect as seen in the video above. The filter effectively blurs the images slightly to reduce the moire effect.

Recently some manufacturers have been adjusting the amount of blurring caused by the AA filter or have been eliminating it all together to increase resolution. The first that I heard of was Olympus back 3 years ago with the introduction of the E-5. They basically took their older sensor technology and dramatically reduced the AA filter in the new E-5. DPReviews (DPReivew.com) initial reaction was that Olympus was taking a big chance and might very well pay a serious price by reducing overall Image Quality (IQ). This turned out to be an over reaction as the E-5 did quite well, even with their dated sensor technology.

The next manufacturer to tweak their AA filter was Nikon on the recently released D800E. They didn't eliminate it but place a final filter behind the AA but before the sensor that effectively canceled out the AA filter's blurring effect. It is not understood by anyone, that I've read, why they did this. DPReivew speculated that it might have had something to do with the manufacturing process, making it easier to create both the D800 (Standard AA Filter model) and the D800E (Canceled AA Filter model) to be created side by side on the assembly line. Whether this is true or whether Nikon is experimenting for some future use we will not know but one thing became clear that this did not cause any significant problems in IQ. Quite to the contrary the D800E has been very well received. I've not heard of any significant problems of moire being produced by the D800E, certainly nothing that could not be taken care of in post processing.

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DPReview's "Camera of the Year"

The 2012 DPReview Camera of the Year

DPReivew is considered by most to be the bible when it comes to camera reviews sites. Certainly it is one of the better sites to look to, for information when trying to figure out what bit of camera gear you are looking for. This year they ran an interesting poll, the link is below. One that was based on information input from visitors that come to their site, a vast majority of which are Nikon and Canon users. The camera that was selected could not have been picked without them voting for it, the Olympus OMD E-M5.

What is the “Best Camera of the Year”?....... Just a few years ago there was only one class of camera to select from if you wanted a camera that would produce a great photograph, the DSLR. There are at least three classes of cameras to select from now, so the “Best Camera of the Year” really boils down to your needs. I could easily see three cameras being selected based on need, size and features set, not to mention Image Quality (IQ) the standard we’ve used in the past. Mirrorless/fixed lens, mirorless interchangeable lens and DSLR would be the three groups.

One note on IQ...... With the entrance into the market place by Sony, who now supplies a significant number of sensors to all the other manufacturers outside of Canon, the difference in IQ has really tightened up. Sony is the new Kodak and there are few cameras regardless of sensor size (Full Frame, APS or 4/3rds) that are not providing outstanding IQ even in very low light.

What camera you might like to buy will be determined by size, cost, feature set and accessories since the vast majority of the cameras produced today create excellent images in a wide variety of settings. This is a good thing, finally!

The camera too that was selected I think is representative of class of camera where the industry as a whole is moving, so keep that in mind. I could easily argue for another make or model that should have been selected.  It also represents what users think is ‘innovative’, new and forward looking, what I think represents the class as a whole as well.

DPReview's 2012 User Poll Camera of the Year.

Update on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 7:40AM by Tom S.

The Online Photographer ran also picked and discussed many of the same cameras for the same reasons.

Update on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:17AM by Tom S.

This long term review of the OMD by Scott Bourne I think is a very fair assessment of the OMD both on the pros and cons side of things.

Are DSLRs Really Doomed?

Certainly DSLRs are not doomed, not by a long shot.... yet. But the Mirrorless camera is starting to mature and this conversation will give you an idea where we are going. More Pros are packing them, if for nothing else to use for video work in what is now being call Hybrid Photography. Hybrid Photography will be the next big thing on the horizon.

I've included the blog from DiscoverMirrorless on our feed to the right.... it has some great material.

Note.... Keep this in HD mode if you can. If your are on a slow connection click HD to turn it off.

Mirrorless Cameras How and Who?

A panel of Professional Photographs gather to discuss where they are at in the process of using Mirrorless cameras, if at all. The discussion is very informative and certainly not unanimous! This is brought to you but DiscoverMirrorless.

Ever Hear of an I-Speed?

Yesterday on FStoppers they pointed us to a European video that was created with an Olympus I-Speed. The top end model of this small video camera can operate at frame rates up to (and this is not typo) 1,000,000 frames per second. It would be used in the high end research and medical fields and had export restrictions on it for obvious reasons.

The lower end models operate in the enimic 2 to 4 thousand frames per second. LOL. We've all seen the super slow motion shots of bullets being shot out of gun barrels, etc. an I-SPeed is the type of camera used for such work.

There was another video on YouTube of a water balloon being broken with a pin. It filled the frame and 2 minutes into the video the remaining ball of water had not yet left the frame. SUPER slow motion!

The above video was using a Sigma 24mm F/1.8 lens. I think I want to buy one!

Image Stabilization - In Body - In Lens

Image stabilization (IS) started a number of years ago with  Konica-Minolta, now Sony.

IS has developed into two forms. It is either "in body", such as Konica Minolta developed or "in lens" which is primarily used by Canon and Nikon. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages. Some systems can use either one or the other.... even both which you will learn is very ineffective.

This video created by Gordon Laing, the editor over at Camera Labs, demontrates both IS systems in one camera. The effect of either of these IS systems is dramatic and you will actually get to see how it works. The camera used here is one that I own and is now about 6 years old. But the demonstration is still a great one.

An EVF in Action..... WOW!

Optical View Finder vs Electronic View FinderKirk Tuck  has gone on and on for some time talking about how the new Sony A77 is going to be such a game changer because of the EVF (electronic view finders) vs what we've all become used to the OVF (Optical View Finder)..... You create the image in the camera, what you see in the EVF is what you will get!

(Just some background... He uses big Canons and now a Sony in the studio... as well as a Hassablad and some Nikon gear and a Olympus PEN as a walk around camera on the streets of Austin...)

I understood what he meant as I've read his blog, but wasn't isn't until I saw an EVF in action that I came to really understand!... This video is a EVF in the new... soon to be relased Olympus OM-D.  Let you imagination work on this....

These new EVFs bring the statement "do as much as you can in the camera" to a new level. I can see why Kirk is so excited.

Bourne's Review New Micro 4/3rds Lens

As is typical of Olympus they hit a home run with a new lens, something that they are known for.  Scott Bourne's review of this new micro 4/3rd lens, that can be used with many of the micro 4/3rd cameras including Olympus' PEN, is above. Scott is a famous avian photography by the way, who has used both Nikon and Canon all of his career.

I don't see the compact class of cameras, which includes the Olympus PEN, being used for serious sports work, not yet anyway... But for others forms of photography these inter-changable lens compacts, made by all the manufacturers, are looking good!

The "SECOND UPDATE" part of the blog is telling,  low weight, small size and ease of transport are a big deal particularly when coupled with fast prime glass... typically around F/1.8 with a third party lens at F/0.95. Anyone new to photography should seriously consider this type of camera.

Where will this all end? I hope in a much more usable camera for all of us.