Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Austin Franklin" 
<darkroom@i...> wrote:
> They're not really comparable cameras, from what I understand of the
> resolution as well as the physical sensor size of the Foveon chip 
in the
> released camera.
> 
> Austin
> 
> 
> >
> > For the price difference between the two cameras I think perhaps
> > one could
> > afford a Sigma lens or two?
> >
> > Karen
> >
> > In a message dated 10/6/02 12:58:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> > jjlphoto@y... writes:
> >
> > > Who's got Sigma lenses laying around? That's the only camera 
with this
> > > Foveon chip.
> >
> > > Probably a better bet to get the new Kodak 14n wich uses all 
the Nikon
> > > lenses.

As one of only a few hundred owners of the orignal Foveon 3-chip 
prism camera, I disagree.

As Technical Editor for Professional Photographer Mag., I have tested 
all digital cameras on the market, including the MF Backs.

In terms of color fidelity, NOTHING touches the my Foveon. In terms 
of resolution, the Anti Alisaing filters fuzzy up the image by at 
least one pixel to reduce the dreaded moire/Xmas tree lights effect 
of Bayer filters. ALL monochip cameras are using flawed technology.

With my large formater printer (Epson 9500) and various large digital 
output devices I have proven to the naysayers that you have to go "4 
wide" in order to equal "3 depp."

IOW, a Foveon camera with three 2k x 2k chips (12 Megapixels) putting 
out a camera interpolated 48 Megabyte file was equal to a 16 
megapixel Kodak Pro Back when making a 30x40 inch print, which 
required cropping out 1/4 of the native data before the bicubic 
interpolation to final print size.

The new X3 chip is now even better than the original Foveon ($50 
grand system) for only $1,800 plus card and lens on a Sigma body.

Word from photokina is that it blew away all current 6 Megapixel 
cameras of the Canon, Fuji, and Nikon ilk.

The newly announce Kodak and Canon offerings may equal the Sigma, or 
not. Even if they win the "big print test," I can guarantee from 
experience that it won't be by much at 2 to 5 times the money.

and, yes, I've heard the argument about proprietary Sigma lenses, but 
they are optically equal to the name brands at 1/2 the price, so that 
is not a good excuse. The Sigma should ship in 3 weeks.

Claude Jodoin
Tech. Editor of Professional Photographer Magazine.