Comparing Formats

[Erik Kaffehr]

Perhaps we're asking the wrong questions. Perhaps the questions we should be asking are:

From where I come, it may be easier to answer the right questions, once we understand the underlying data.

A) Do these differences matter?

May be or may be not.

Some viewers like images that are very crisp while some viewers may images which have a natural rendition.

Note that camera 'D' would need least sharpening and it would also sharpen best. Note also that curve 'D' ends at 0.08, that means that the contrast between adjacent pixels is quite low. So camera 'D' needs least sharpening and it will render smooth detail at the pixel level.Camera A delivers sharp details, but it will have very high contrast at adjacent pixels. It will also sharpen well, but it will be unnaturally crispy at the pixel level.Camera 'C' will render pretty similar to 'A' but has less contrast at the pixel level. So, it may be less crisp.

All these cameras need sharpening. Normally, it would be considered that the low frequencies dominate perceived sharpness on an image. With good sharpening all this cameras would be able to deliver very high contrast at half of their max resolution.

Camera 'D' would allow largest print size.

B) If they do, to what extent and at what size prints?

Jim Kasson has looked into this, once upon the time, comparing Sony A7rII and GFX 50S, both with excellent lenses.

I would recall that he would not observe a material difference at 15" print height but differences were material at 30" print height.

With cameras 'A', 'B' and 'C', I would be concerned about aliasing, not so with 'D'.

Personally, I would think that I am less demanding than Jim and I guess that I am sharpening a bit more. Also, my normal print size 16"x23" and most of the gear I had since 2008 was good enough for that print size.

Also, I would think that the photographer also plays a role. The ultimate sharpness in tests may be difficult to achieve.

Jim and I use focus bracketing for slanted edge testing.

Best regards

Erik

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Erik Kaffehr
Website: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net
Magic uses to disappear in controlled experiments…
Gallery: http://echophoto.smugmug.com
Articles: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net/ekr/index.php/photoarticles

 

[Macro guy]

It sounds like we're splitting hairs here.

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

It sounds like we're splitting hairs here.

Well, I used to be splitting atoms, so splitting hairs is a few steps up...

Best regards

Erik

 

[Macro guy]

It sounds like we're splitting hairs here.

Well, I used to be splitting atoms, so splitting hairs is a few steps up...

Best regards

Erik

LOL Well, the good thing is that you're moving up in this world.