I'm no optics expert, although I played one on a local TV show <LOL> A while ago Bruce and I met for dinner, and I "kinda komplained" about the lack of a Pentax camera with a "full frame" sensor. Bruce pointed out that using a 24x36 frame can often result in soft and poorly defined edges due, as you suggest, to the way the light hits the sensor. He suggested that, instead of complaining, I might want to look at the smaller digi sensor as just a different format, and to stop comparing it to 35mm. That made sense. These are not 35mm cameras. They are not film cameras. They are something else entirely. Once I got my head around that, my attitude changed a little, and I stopped wishing for something these cameras are not.
While it's true there are some cameras with "full frame" sensors, Bruce noted - and I've no reason to doubt him - that those cameras have problems with edge sharpness and definition. I seem to recall hearing or reading that from other sources as well. So, right now, I'm content with the sensor size of the Pentax, I'm pleased as punch that all my lenses work well on the istDS and that I don't have to buy new lenses in order to use the camera even though I may want to buy some newer glass that's either auto focus or designed specifically for the sensor size used by Pentax. Changing the subject somewhat, my concerns about the sensor used by Pentax is that I'm not satisfied with the tonal quality I can get from the camera, most especially in deep shadows or dark areas. Whether it's just my lack of skill using digital, either when making the exposures or when processing them, remains to be seen. Another list member suggested a few ways I may practice to a) isolate the problem and b) find a way to get better results. A "film noir" mode would be very helpful - get rid of that goofy smiling face and the silly flower on the mode dial, replace them with a "broad" wearing a tight sweater and packing a .38 - and would make me very happy. Shel > [Original Message] > From: Paul Stenquist > The image circle of DA lenses is better suited to the size of the > sensor. I'm no optical expert, but it's relative to the angle at > which the light hits the sensor. I've noticed that DA lenses produce > far less CA than FA lenses. Or would you prefer that Pentax never > release any new lenses? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
