Do Sensors “Outresolve” Lenses?

[johnastovall]

Fine article at Luminous Landscape which take the subjective out of the subject and gives firm data backed up by optical theory to evaluate lenses and sensors. You'll also see why there is a slow but steady movement to Digital MF by those who need the best.

[Patti Edens]

John, You did it again. Although, this time I got about two-thirds of the way through the article before my head started hurting. One of these days I am actually going to understand this MTF, etc. stuff. Right now I'm about as confused as that circle.

Seriously, that was probably the most complete explanation I've seen of the controversy regarding possible limitations of lenses with higher res sensors.

But keep challenging me with this stuff. I love it. And thanks to you, I would never buy a lens without checking the MTF chart - not that I understand it, mind you. But I check it.

[PIC]

Welcome to the 21st Century ...

Optics has remained much the same for generations.

Micro electronics has improved many orders of magnitude in 1 generation w/ Photomasking Intregration, Electron Beam Direct Write, Phase Shifting, Reduced Wavelength, Sub Wavelength, DUV {Low K1}, and Emersion lithography.
All this while it also reduced its cost of manufacture many times !!
Its all Photo engineering !!

Kinda like comparing the Model T to the Prius.
Old hat news ... But if you want NEW ...
Microtechnology Sensors are now almost equal to Atomic Film Sensors
and in many respects BETTER !!!

EL

[craigmurray]

EL, I am pretty sure you meant Immersion Lithography and not Emersion :-)

Craig

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Patti Edens

John, You did it again. Although, this time I got about two-thirds of the way through the article before my head started hurting. One of these days I am actually going to understand this MTF, etc. stuff. Right now I'm about as confused as that circle.

Seriously, that was probably the most complete explanation I've seen of the controversy regarding possible limitations of lenses with higher res sensors.

But keep challenging me with this stuff. I love it. And thanks to you, I would never buy a lens without checking the MTF chart - not that I understand it, mind you. But I check it.

MR at Luminous Landscape has just what you need for understanding that circle and reading an MTF and much more, The Understanding Series.

[jeffkohn]

Optics has remained much the same for generations.

Nonsense. The laws of physics may not have changed in the last few generations, but the design and manufacture of lenses has steadily improved. We sure as heck didn't have anything like the Nikkor 14-24 20 years ago, let alone 40 years ago.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Nonsense. The laws of physics may not have changed in the last few generations, but the design and manufacture of lenses has steadily improved. We sure as heck didn't have anything like the Nikkor 14-24 20 years ago, let alone 40 years ago.

Where as UD glass and Fluorite forty years ago. Also asph design and production?

The we have diffractive optic design and technology for lenses.

You are right Jeff big changes lenses and bigger ones to come.