Sensor Choice?

[Vivek Iyer]

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I found an interest fact about the M8 sensor that isn't addressed (AFAIK) at all. Without making it very technical, I will throw in the connections here and would like to hear from others who have hands on experience with various cameras.

 

The Kodak sensor in M8 uses a ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) CCD as opposed to the CCD used in an Epson R-D1(s). The Epson RD1(s) has a weaker IR cut filter on its sensor than the corresponding one on the M8' s sensor. Epson sensor also has an integrated AA filter.

 

The purported advantage of the ITO based CCD over the ones based on Silicon are:

 

1. Higher sensitivity

 

2. Enhanced dynamic range

 

In practice, the cameras (and digital backs) that used Kodak's ITO based CCD are (among others):

 

1. Kodak DCS 760 (based on a Nikon F5)

 

2. Kodak DCS Pro back (for various 645 cameras)

 

The DCS 760 came with a removable (cyan) IR cut filter and an optional AA filter.

Sample shots from this camera on the web clearly show color moire. There is no obvious "magenta madness".

 

The DCS Pro back (16mp) back appears to have a stronger IR cut filter- cyan (absorptive) with IR reflecting dichroic coatings. No apparent color problems from this either.

 

I wonder if the M8.1 will have better features if a Silicon based CCD is used instead of the currently used ITO based CCD..