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Which Truesense sensor for the M10?


andyedward

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In light of the fact that Truesense will continue to suppy leica with sensors (Leica hints at video features in upcoming M10 - British Journal of Photography), does anyone know which particular sensor is planned for the M10? Will an existing sensor be modified to suit leicas requirements, or will it be designed from the ground up? Will it be a CCD or a CMOS? [questions, questions.......]

 

I've just checked out the Truesense website, that links back to the old Kodak site, so I'm not sure how relevant it still is.

 

I imagine there's probably an existing thread on this topic, so I'd be grateful for the link.

 

Roll on photokina!

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It might not be a sensor from Truesense Imaging. Truesense is specializing in CCDs which may not be what is required for the M10 (assuming it is to support life view or video, although I’m not convinced about video support).

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Quote

 

But Leica's head of supervisory board confirmed that the brand would continue to work with Truesense Imaging, the equity firm that took over Kodak's sensor operations, to use their sensors in future models of the M series.

 

Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/

 

Unquote

 

Not what he is quoted as saying.

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Important distinction:

 

What Dr. K said: "....the brand would continue to work with Truesense Imaging, the equity firm that took over Kodak's sensor operations, to use their sensors in future models of the M series."

 

What Dr. K DIDN'T say: "....the brand would continue to work with Truesense Imaging, the equity firm that took over Kodak's sensor operations, to use their sensors in ALL future models of the M series."

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As Adan points out, that is exactly what was being said......

 

btw, it appears that TrueSense is the manufacturer for CCD technology. CCD technology tends to be more focused on commercial enterprises as opposed to the broader consumer market.

 

From a Jan 2012 article: Camera and Sensor Technology: Development Trends in Cameras and Sensors

 

"These trends in CCD sensor and camera design are the result of the continued growth in the applications for high performance machine vision systems and the demands placed on such systems. This growth has changed the way sensors and cameras are developed and resulted in a wide range of options not imaginable as little as two years ago.

 

Truesense Imaging, Inc. (formerly Eastman Kodak Company, Image Sensor Solutions), for example, made several design and process improvements when moving from 7.4 µm pixels to 5.5 µm pixels in their interline CCD products. The combination of these improvements enabled the 45% smaller pixels to maintain sensitivity and dynamic range, while improving the smear rejection ratio to -100 dB, when compared to the larger 7.4 µm pixels."

 

Camera and Sensor Technology: Development Trends in Cameras and Sensors - Feature Article - Vision and Sensors

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And by the way, Truesense Imaging isn’t “the equity firm that took over Kodak's sensor operations’ – that would be Platinum Equity. Truesense Imaging is what used to be Kodak’s sensor operations under a new name.

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It has nothing to do with the workload at Leica. The firm ware, like with many other camera makers, is farmed out to specialists. In this case Jenoptik. Whether Leica will do the M10 firmware in-house remains to be seen.

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Jaap,

 

I am familiar with the facts you cite.

The camera I bought, namely M9, has Leica written on it, not Jenoptik.

How Leica handles the work and workload, to whom they farm out or not, is entirely their responsibility.

Leica is in charge and makes the call, including if and when a new firmware gets issued, I would think.

So, I am counting on Leica that the ball doesn't get dropped on fixing the M9 firmware.

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It's interesting the article in post #1 hints coexistence of the M9 and M10 (and perhaps M Monochrom, M7 and MP too). The M10 could have a different sensor, and it makes the choices greater in the M range.

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It's interesting the article in post #1 hints coexistence of the M9 and M10 (and perhaps M Monochrom, M7 and MP too). The M10 could have a different sensor, and it makes the choices greater in the M range.

 

It would not be the first time Leica has done this, as after the M5 was introduced and sales flopped the M4 (in all it's variations) continued until the release of the M6. If Leica lays an egg with the M10 (and after Berlin we have to wonder) then the M9 might just be their savior.

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My feeling is that Leica will not show a new rangefinder camera at Photokina, but a prototype of an EVIL camera with M mount and 24x36 format.

 

A new rangefinder would be presented later (next year).

 

The M9 M starts to sell in August, and Photokina is just a few weeks later. It does not make sense to present a new rangefinder, unless the new model is twice the price of the old one!

 

The BJP article points to a recent change in the direction of the project for the EVIL. It seems like they were working on a very small camera, and then they changed the basic design (APS-C replaced by 24x36?).

 

I see the new EVIL like a X2 camera, but with 24x36 format and M mount. The problem is in the 24x36 sensor able to support a high resolution electronic viewfinder. They have to wait. Sony is ready to present a "reflex" with EVF, alpha mount and 24x36 sensor...

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It does not make sense to present a new rangefinder, unless the new model is twice the price of the old one!

 

 

Guess what? With the price increase of the 50mm Apo-Summicron, the M10 may be twice the price...

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I’m convinced the new sensor will be made in Europe. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is a matter of scale. And the factory will be within a few hundred Km of Solms...

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