Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/04/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Lawrence Zeitlin wrote: >>> Another idea was to use an intermediate lens to capture the real full frame image of the prime lens and reimage it on a smaller size sensor. <<< The angle of incidence would still remain a problem on the capture side, and once the light rays have been captures there's no need for a smaller sensor. >>> the intermediate field lens would have to be of the highest optical quality <<< Add the cost of a Noctilux to the price of the camera. And would have to work as well with telecentric (retrofocus) lenses as with non-retrofocus lenses. I don't think this is as much a problem with instrumentation optics as it is with a Leica. >>> A third solution was to use an optical fiber reducing bundle, full 35 mm frame on one end, sensor size at the other. Marty Forscher used this method 40 years ago to produce 35 mm images from a Hassleblad. The bundle of fibers, each fiber smaller than a pixel, would be compressed on one end to the dimensions of the digital sensor. <<< Those would be VERY tiny optical fibers! As with the field lens option, once the image is in the (collimated = $$$$) optical fiber bundle there would be no need to reduce the image size. Marty Forscher was able to get away with this because nobody was expecting to make large high-quality prints from the resulting photos. The optical fiber bundle on the lens side is still facing light fall-off from the angle of incidence. IMHO given present technology the offset microlenses as presently used is the most cost-effective solution. And watch for fallout from the S2 project! Positioning the UV/IR filter between the sensor and the microlenses is an S2 development, I expect it will be very beneficial for some future M camera. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web LIVE ? Free email based on Microsoft? Exchange technology - http://link.mail2web.com/LIVE