Digital BW, The Print

I should caveat the below with the fact that I do think Foveon style chips
represent a huge opportunity within the current 35mm format.  The question
is whether the Canon/Nikon guys are prepared pay for such a re-engineering
of their chip design and whether it can be cost effectively produced - or
whether a theoretically better design technology simply fails to get the
traction it deserves and ultimately dies.


> From: Steve Kale <stevekale@...>
> Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 21:19:59 +0100
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Optimum sensor size (was www.OpenRAW.org ...)
> 
> 
> Agreed.  The sense I get is that the equation is not just optimal pixel size
> as a standalone but rather the mix of lens optics, sensor size, pixel size,
> anti-aliasing filters and processing algorithms etc.  So the guys with
> "control" over the whole system have a definite advantage.  I took the leap
> to the 1DsMKII because I felt (I guess subjectively) that Canon was closing
> in on the limits for 35mm in terms of their full frame current lens range
> etc.  Not that I don't expect improvement in the near future but I do think
> the quantum leaps have been achieved for the digitalisation of the current
> system.   I suspect the S lens range is a stop gap until the economics of
> the full sensor systems are such that they can be applied to the prosumer
> and high end consumer models.
> 
> The really interesting question is what happens after the current 35mm optic
> systems have been largely fully exploited.  Do we need a whole new set of
> lenses to go to the next level?  I suspect that rather than this happening
> we will see the 35mm kings starting into or merging with the 645 guys.  I
> think we have only just began the path of digitalisation medium format and
> would not invest in a digital back/645 digital camera today unless I had a
> very clear income stream/business to pay it off in relatively short order.
> 
> Here's a question:  who buys/takes over the rights to Contax's 645 business
> - if it indeed reincarnates at all.  Michael Reichman mentions Leaf and
> Phase One.  What if it's Canon?