Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/10

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Digital cameras and Interchangable lenses?
From: Stephen Holloway <stephen.holloway@balcab.ch>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 23:12:08 +0100

Mark Rutledge wrote:
> 
> >>N**** and C**** use lens elements in their digital bodies to correct the
> field of view so that the smaller format area of the CCD sensor shows the
> same field of view as what a photograpgher is used to with their 35mm SLRs.
> In other words without the corrective lens elements a normal 50mm lens would
> turn into a small telephoto. <<
> 
> John,
> Is this a new thing for the digital SLR? I seem to remember the N90/Kodak
> digital camera didn't compensate for the CCD/Film size discrepancy,. There
> was actually a rectangle inscribed on the screen that showed the "new" image
> area of the CCD.
> Is this what you mean, or have I been out of the digital loop too long?
> Thanks,
> Mark Rutledge

None of the current 35mm-bodied digitals (such as the D1) use corrective
elements. Nikon did make such a camera, but it wasn't so hot. The frame
size is effectively a crop from the center of the 35mm frame. So
effective focal length is changed (something like x1.5 for the current
generation). The D1 viewfinder just shows this smaller area.

I've no idea whether film lenses aren't suitable for CCDs (but I'm a bit
of a skeptic) but the D1 gives pretty nice images. A CCD with the same
pixel density and 35mm size would be very welcome (especially in an
M6!).

You can write the words Nikon and Canon you know! I think most people
here can take it.

- --
Stephen Holloway
http://www.deepturtle.com/steve/photos