Pixels, resolution and fringing
posted on 21st of february, 2012
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With the introduction of the Sony SLT-A77 around fall, last year, I believe, for the first time, those of us who has been using cropped alpha systems have found a reason to rejoice. The A77 is easily one of Sony’s most flexible bodies to date, with adjustable ISO sensitivity range, built-in lens correction (JPEG only) functions and of course, a magnificent 20+ MP pixel density (6000x4000 to be exact) sensor.
Compared to my old Sony DSLR-A850 (which I’ve reluctantly sold off, for a measly 800 dollars), although the A77 has slightly lower pixel count (the A850 edges the A77 out by a few pixels, at 24.6), and the two sensors are really not that much different in terms of noise handling, especially under RAW processing (the A850 tends to get murky after ISO 1600, whereas the A77 starts to look flaky after ISO 2000), I find myself no longer limited to using only my full frame lenses if I needed the extra resolution of over 20 MP, which is really important for group pictures in tight places or very wide shots.
Before the A77, most of Sony’s wide-angle full frame lenses are limited to only their very expensive, Carl Zeiss or G variant, so if you need the full resolution of the A850 to shoot wide, you are limited to using either very expensive lenses or third party lenses. For someone who owns more cropped (DT) lenses than full-frame ones, with the A77, for the first time, I was able to print large (up to A1 size) group photos (of over 50 people) and grand vistas without worrying over too much pixel interpolation, which usually means blurred or jagged edges on the printed output.
However, with the added pixels, the A77 seems to also magnify the optical limitations of my DT lenses. My very old Sony DT SAL1118, the widest Sony zoom to date (widest at 16.5 mm), which I started using as early as my 14 megapixel A350, seems to be producing very visible color fringing. This is very surprising to me because I remember distinctly that all my earlier Sony models, up to the 16 MP SLT-A55, did not exhibit so much color fringing when paired with the SAL1118.
For the moment, Adobe’s RAW converter (6,5) can take care of most of it, but Sony is still a long way from providing all the required lens correction data to Adobe to combat this problem. I find myself doing more and more pixel peeping (for all my Dreamstime submission), especially when I’m using a zoom DT lens. The SLT-A77 has effectively put a magnifying glass over these relatively little lenses. The SAL18250, SAL1118, SAL75300 are all exhibiting more color fringing than before with the added resolution, and even some of the primes, like my very precious Carl Zeiss SAL85F14Z, was not spared as well. I’m seeing magenta fringes when I open the aperture past F2 on bright days and shooting highly reflective surfaces. The macro SAL50F28 seems to be one of the few lenses I own that could handle the added resolution without faltering optically.
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Tags: color density fringing lens pixel
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Comments (12)
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I shoot and very pleased with Sigma EX glass, highly recommend...
- posted by
Virgilxxn
on February 24, 2012 |
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I do not experience this with my A65 (same sensor as A77) and SAL1680Z glass. The SAL30M28 (macro) however is limiting the capability of the sensor. My Minolta 50 1.7 is still ok.
- posted by
Tonlammerts
on February 22, 2012 |
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Cngratulations！
- posted by
Jianbinglee
on February 22, 2012 |
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Thanks Fotosenmeer and TMarchev :)
- posted by
Maddrew
on February 21, 2012 |
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Thanks Ego, and M4rio for the info.. I need to check out that Tamron :)
- posted by
Maddrew
on February 21, 2012 |
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BradC : with a 36 MP sensor, I think even the best of Nikon glasses will start to shiver! Camera manufacturers will need to start making new glasses soon to cater for these mega-resolution bodies..
- posted by
Maddrew
on February 21, 2012 |
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Indeed, the admins warned about the Canon 7D at 18MP - that it was demanding on lenses. I can't imagine how the new Nikon D800 will be with no AA filter! Suddenly macro lenses look like a great bargain for high resolution...
- posted by
Bradcalkins
on February 21, 2012 |
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Cngratulations for your new camera... Great info, thanks.
- posted by
Egomezta
on February 21, 2012 |
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Btw. I have just recently upgraded from my Sony SAL75-300 to Tamron 70-300 Di USD lens, and it is great. I also recommend you this upgrade. This Tamron is build in 2011. so I think that there is a good chance that he will able to deliver a decent image quality even on 24MP camera. I payed that lens about 550$ and people are saying that image quality is the closest to Sony 70-300G currently available on market.
- posted by
M4rio1979
on February 21, 2012 |
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I think a77 will be my upgrade from excellent a700 which I own now. 24MP resolution is a great thing for microstock photography, because you really have much room for adittional cropping or editing due to wrong framing or something like that, and still have a decent MP size file after cropping is done.
- posted by
M4rio1979
on February 21, 2012 |
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Congrats on buying that beautiful body. The 1118 is known for being a lesser design in the Sony family of glass.
That was the main reason for me to keep the a850. For wide angle jobs, I'm thinking of going to medium format digital like the pentax or the mamiya.
And it is true. A high pixel count will bring you more money in the pocket because the highest prices are paid for the highest resolution
happy shooting with your new gem
- posted by
Fotosenmeer
on February 21, 2012 |
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Good photos ! Congrats!
- posted by
TMarchev
on February 21, 2012 |
Comments (12) |
This article has been read 551 times. 1 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Maddrew, Maddrew. |
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