PF refers to purple-fringe. I am surprised none of the PF patrol
has shown up to berate you for even thinking about an 828.
In all seriousness though, PF is a type of chromatic aberation. It
is a little more prevelant on the 828 than some of the competition,
and the biggest issue the camera's detractors complain about, even
though none of them own the camera. I did a study on it and found
that the reason the 828 shows more than the competition is because
of the fact that the Sony takes sharper pictures, and because it
tends to over-expose slightly when the camera is in full auto. It
pops up most often in broad daylight or flourescent, when the
subject is heavily backlit with no fill, or under intense
reflections on water or chrome. Basically any time that contrast
is very high and proper exposure is naturally difficult anyway.
What about it then? Should you not get the camera? No, don't let
it concern you that much. I researched it and found that PF does
appear in all cameras, and there are easy ways to minimize it, then
there are Shay's action, and other plugins to get rid of it in
post. First, any time PF is likely, use a small aperture. Wide
apertures, particularly at the maximum wide or tele focal lengths
agrivate the problem. Also, the focal length it's self can have an
effect, with 28mm being the worst, 200mm being second worse, and
most everything inbetween being better by a measure of degrees.
Second, some people find that it occurs less when the 828 is
shooting in the "real" color mode. Others say it does not make a
difference, you'll have to be the judge. Some have had success
with one of Hoya's UV filters also helping to reduce PF, not to
mention it protects the lens when out with the kids in crouds,
though I hope someone will chime in since I forgot the model. And
yes, the model is important because other filters have not seemed
to work as well. Finally, someone else went so far as to prove
that focal point effects it as well. The further in front of or
behind the brightest highlight the focus was set, the more likely
or worse the PF would be.
PF is present with this camera, and any other large zoom camera as
well. Are there ways to reduce it? Of course. Are there ways to
get rid of it? You bet you can in post, and in not more than a
couple minutes. Should it scare you away from what is a fast,
great handleing, brilliant camera for the purpose you outlined
above? Not a chance.
-Dylan
