[Leica] New M(246) Outputs 12 bit Files

[Steve Barbour]

> On May 6, 2015, at 10:17 AM, Frank Filippone <red735i at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> Mark and others....
> 
> The issue of 12 vs 14 bits is not straight forward.....  Yes, the difference
> in a straight line way is 4 times the data, but really that means there is 4
> times the GRADATION in the data.  More gradation = more smooth transitions
> between different tones.
> 
> Assuming the saturation point ( top value) and lowest point ( pure black, as
> in more black is just not possible) remain fixed. Then there could be a bit
> of non linear-ness to the ADC... There may be more values in the bright
> areas, and less in the dark areas.... still achieving the same dynamic
> range,. But 12 bits and 14 bits could have different non-linear transfer
> functions....  Which, in the context of photography, may not be at all easy
> to see with the eyes.
> 
> Let me stop here... I spent the better part of my working career in
> understanding the intricacies of ADC products.  If I go any further in the
> explanation, I will lose almost everyone.    Suffice it to say that what we
> do not know exceeds what we do know. 
> 
> Yes, there is a story out there... Yes it is important that we know what
> that story is, in theory.  In practice, the M246 seems to produce better
> images than the MM.... 12 bits 14 bits or some other number of bits.
> 
> I agree with Mark.. HDD storage is so cheap that 12 vs 14 bits is a
> ridiculous reason to chintz on the ADC resolution.  There is some other
> reason.


Frank ...how bout in the cost of the camera, 14 v 12 bit,  is there a big difference, so some one could think after reading the morning paper,  the images  look about the same so we'll same some money in the camera cost, both manufacture and cost to the consumer, i.e. they were just trying to save some money so Bob could afford groceries.....


steve


>  
> 
> Or, someone made a bad assumption in the first place and this whole thread
> is a waste of time.
> 
> Frank Filippone
> Red735i at verizon.net
> 
> Peter according  to some guy on the internet its not a matter of a few steps
> up from 12 to 14 bit. Its  4 times as many shades of intensity in a given
> range.
> That sounds like a big deal for me.
> 
> 
> 
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