Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/07/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Geoff - From an engineering standpoint the question is simply where are the corrections best done to optimize image quality, minimize volume and weight, and minimize cost. It's surely possible, and I'm sure someone has already done this, to identify by analysis and test whether a particular aberration is best corrected in the firmware or in the optics. If say, barrel distortion is best and most efficiently done in firmware than optically, there is simply no longer any reason to do it optically anymore than there is a reason to make a mechanical watch anymore. (Other than for maintaining tradition or for aesthetic reasons, of course.) From what I've seen and read about the new micro-4/3rds lenses, they simply are going to be *very* good. Leica, unless it adapts, may find itself in the same position that Rolex, Omega and the other mechanical watchmakers are in now. They turn out a technically inferior product at great expense for a very limited audience. Electronics wins the accuracy race hands down. Thanks for the link. I'v downloaded the new standard and will take a look at it shortly. Regards, Dick On Jul 21, 2009, at 5:27 PM, Geoff Hopkinson wrote: > Dick, as you noted there, the big companies are compensating for > optical > manufacture and design limitations with smarter and smarter > firmware. Leica > has said that they prefer to engineer the lenses as well as > possible rather > than correct errors later. Naturally that is simplistic and there are > interdependent priorities and philosophies there. In principle I > think that > many Leica enthusiasts prefer the second approach. > > One recent development that I found interesting is the release of > the new > DNG 1.3.0.0 standard. As I understand it, some firmware operations, > such as > lens corrections will be moved to the converter. This potentially has > significance for Leica firmware and future products. Well worth > pursuing on > the Adobe sites if you are interested. > http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/pdfs/dng_spec_1_3_0_0.pdf > > 2009/7/22 Richard Taylor <r.s.taylor at comcast.net> > >> Mark - I think this design approach is going to lead to a whole new >> generation of light, small and highly capable lenses. The day may >> come when >> the highly corrected optics we so prize today will become >> anachronistic, >> like a mechanical watch. Will the fine Leica lens go the way of a >> Rolex? >> >> I'd really like to read about the comparative advantages and >> disadvantages >> of firmware vs. optical correction of lens aberrations. Geometric >> distortion and lateral chromatic aberration are the two I've heard >> they can >> do now. I wonder what else is possible. >> >> Regards, >> >> Dick >> >> >> >> >> On Jul 21, 2009, at 2:37 PM, Mark Rabiner wrote: >> >> I found this interesting as I wiki'd 4/3's to get the skinny on who >> it was >>> more than what it was. >>> >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Thirds_System >>> >>> The first thing they tell you is that the glass for the system is so >>> "computerized" that there are firmware upgrades for them. >>> New news for me I find it fascinating. >>> >>> >>> Mark William Rabiner >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -- > Cheers > Geoff > Alles was eine gute Kamera braucht / Everything a good camera needs: > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/ > http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information