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Re: [OM] Camera size vs Image size

Subject: Re: [OM] Camera size vs Image size
From: "Earl Dunbar" <edunbar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 23:17:08 -0500
Schnozz, you hit a buncha nails right on their asses.  All of that (digital 
dumb-sizing) leads to sloppy photographers, too, esp. the "fix it in PS" crowd.

Still, I kinda want an E-1.  Felt good in my hands.

Earl

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 11/11/2003 at 3:41 PM AG Schnozz wrote:

>I've been stewing about something for a long time now. Maybe two
>or three seconds...
>
>Why is it that the smaller the imaging "sensor" the larger the
>camera?  For example, the DSLRs have been HUGE!  Or back up to
>the EOS-1n and the Nikon F5.  These cameras are massive.  Yet,
>an average medium format camera weighs less and is smaller.
>Think that Pentax 67 is big?  Not when parked next to an F5.
>
>Then, along comes the digicams.  Wait a second.  The LARGEST
>sensor (other than in the EOS-1Ds) is no bigger than APS film
>format.
>
>Lenses for 35mm have never NEEDED to be big.  Zuikos and Pentax
>lenses have always been 50% the size/weight of Nikons and
>Canon's EOS line has always been pretty respectable.
>
>My point is that it doesn't matter the size of the sensor.
>Lenses are really a minor point in the size/weight of a camera
>system.  Today's DSLRs, including the E-1, have a minimum size
>and weight thanks to several factors:
>
>-Batteries
>-Storage medium
>-Display screen
>-Viewfinder
>-Built-in grip (not present on our beloved OMs)
>-Places to have 35 control buttons/wheels/mice.
>
>The ONLY real benefit to smaller sensor size is manufacturing
>costs.  Real-estate is expensive.
>
>In digging back through some old Popular Photography magazines
>(late '70s/early '80s) it was quite clear what was deemed to be
>important in an SLR.  Size, weight, shutter lag, accuracy of the
>meter, lens sharpness and the viewfinder.  Today, none of these
>factors are really considered, but instead we overlook the
>obvious flaws in size, weight, shutter lag, accuracy of the
>meter, lens sharpness and viewfinder.
>
>Size-doesn't matter.
>Weight-you can only afford one DSLR anyway.  Pitty the poor soul
>who would carry two.
>Shutter Lag-If you preset everything it's almost respectable,
>but besides, that's what "motor-drive" mode is for.
>Meter Accuracy-If you don't like what you see on the screen,
>shoot again, or correct it in Photoshop.
>Lens Sharpness-Unsharp Mask.  Duh!
>Viewfinder-With autofocus, all you are doing is framing anyway.
>
>What am I missing here?  I realize that I'm kinda a stick in the
>mud when it comes to camera technology, but for crying out loud,
>I don't want to go backwards when I "upgrade" to new technology.
>
>On a side note:
>I've been doing a lot of experimenting lately with my scanner
>and it is quite interesting how I can get the "digital look" if
>I seriously dumb down the image.  Scan the image at maximum
>scanner resolution, and then downsize the image to about the
>equivelent of a 5-MP camera.  Throw some USM on it and, presto,
>digital camera image.  You can then scale this image upward just
>like you can with any digicam file.  Sure, there is some nits to
>pick and some grain noise, but I'm rather impressed with what I
>see.  My biggest complaint is tonal gradients.  I wish that
>scanned files possessed the tonal seperations that analog has.
>
>AG-retrogrouch-Schnozz
>
>ps. I grind my own special blend of Irony and Sarcasm--mixed
>with a tad of bitterness and then pressed into the espresso
>maker which when steamed will make one mean brew guaranteed to
>keep you up at night.  Keep the TUMS handy.
>
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