Medium format sensor

[lars_bergquist]

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I recall people said the same thing with the M8? ie that a FF sensor was not possible.

 

But that was because of limitations of the sensor technology available at that time. This limitation is because of the diameter of the M bayonet diameter, which cannot be magically widened, and the size of the camera body, which would vastly exceed the dimensions of the unfortunate M5.

 

And some people here talk about a 30x30mm sensor, as that would have the same format diameter of 45mm and fit the M lenses' image circles. A 24x36mm sensor has an area of 864 square millimeters. 30x30 would mean 900 sq/mm. Not a big jump up into medium format territory, I think.

 

The S2 has the smallest sensor that can be called 'medium format' today, 30x45mm. This gives us 1350 sq/mm. A square format of that area would be 37x37mm, with a diagonal of 52mm. That would demand a 'Texas Leica' indeed.

 

The old man from the Age of Roll Film

[StephenPatterson]

I recall people said the same thing with the M8? ie that a FF sensor was not possible.

 

24x36mm, be it film or a digital sensor, is what M lenses were designed for.

[jedi996sps]

Thanks Lars...and Stephen, it all makes perfect sense when explained, but i can not help but think Ithat is wishful thinking) that the very talented gnomes will do their magic and give us something more, after all, that is what they are good at :-)

[jedi996sps]

Thanks Lars...and Stephen, it all makes perfect sense when explained, but i can not help but think Ithat is wishful thinking) that the very talented gnomes will do their magic and give us something more, after all, that is what they are good at :-)

 

something more without it becoming a brick

[skinner]

I'd quite like to stop tormenting my mind and future wallet with talk of potential number of Mp.

 

Please could someone answer me this - If I am unlikely to ever print beyond A3 size, what is the tipping point of number of Mp where I wouldn't notice the difference? Is the M9 already there with 18Mp?

 

My aim is to do a list so should a future M introduce new features I know which ones I can ignore as they are of no real world use to me and base a purchase decision on only the features that would make a difference (with practice being top of that list!)

 

Many thanks

Steve

[jedi996sps]

I'd quite like to stop tormenting my mind and future wallet with talk of potential number of Mp.

 

Please could someone answer me this - If I am unlikely to ever print beyond A3 size, what is the tipping point of number of Mp where I wouldn't notice the difference? Is the M9 already there with 18Mp?

 

My aim is to do a list so should a future M introduce new features I know which ones I can ignore as they are of no real world use to me and base a purchase decision on only the features that would make a difference (with practice being top of that list!)

 

Many thanks

Steve

 

i am bound to say the M8 was there. But then i would, as thats what i use

[StephenPatterson]

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i am bound to say the M8 was there. But then i would, as thats what i use

 

I absolutely agree that both the M8 and M9 are very capable of printing gorgeous A3 size prints. Focus on the results and not just specs.

[lars_bergquist]

I absolutely agree that both the M8 and M9 are very capable of printing gorgeous A3 size prints. Focus on the results and not just specs.

 

I would say that even a camera with a first-class APS-C sensor, a very good lens and competent firmware would do that too.

 

And an A3 print is so large that in order to see all of it, you have to hold it on outstretched arms. As has been discussed here before, normal people try to adjust their viewing distance to a painting, a print etc. so that it approximately equals the diagonal of the format rectangle.

 

The eye's closest unaided viewing distance is c. 25cm. That means that if you can print a very sharp ('gorgeous' if you will) picture with a diagonal of 25cm, you can print the same file at any size, because at any larger size and hence larger diagonal, the viewer will back off.

 

That critical picture has the dimensions – 140x210cm ...

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

[skinner]

Thank you all, What i get from that is 18mp on my M9 is more than enough for my 'normal hobby' use so that will go towards the bottom of my 'nice to have' new M features list [or even can be ignored].

 

Incidentally, the 'essential to even consider upgrading' list is very small anyway - higher ISO performance for my shaky hands in low light but it depends how much better; some sort of pseudo live view would be of use for landscapes with filters but I can do without it and a better LCD screen to check critical focus. I can't think of anything else that I would like to have.

 

Best Wishes

Steve

[SJP]

If Leica launches a "medium format" square sensor M9 Medium then we have a problem what to call the M9M. Suddenly the MM code makes sense:)

[jedi996sps]

Thank you all, What i get from that is 18mp on my M9 is more than enough for my 'normal hobby' use so that will go towards the bottom of my 'nice to have' new M features list [or even can be ignored].

 

Incidentally, the 'essential to even consider upgrading' list is very small anyway - higher ISO performance for my shaky hands in low light but it depends how much better; some sort of pseudo live view would be of use for landscapes with filters but I can do without it and a better LCD screen to check critical focus. I can't think of anything else that I would like to have.

 

Best Wishes

Steve

 

Here are 3No 44"x44" prints onto canvas that i took a while back, hand held with my M8 and 50lux. They live on a wall in my kitchen. Consequently, your M9 should be more than capable for your needs

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[SJP]

ALI,

 

......

 

Nice!

 

The whole discussion about "pixels" is slightly over top anyway IMHO. Composition, framing, talent, intelligence, originality - that is what we (should) want, not pixels per se. I think you have succeeded there.