Following on from the 120Mp sensor, the 205x205mm sensor

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Lots of innovation coming from Canon at the moment, it seems ...

Canon says it has developed the world’s largest CMOS image sensor, which it hinted will be used to develop HD video enabled digital SLR cameras able to capture filmed action in one-half the brightness of a moonlit night.

In a statement released this morning it said the chip measures 205x205mm, which is around 40 times the size of the full-frame sensor it uses in its EOS 1Ds Mk III and EOS 5D Mark II cameras, and is claimed to be among the largest chips that can be produced from a 12-inch (300mm) wafer.”

“Because its expanded size enables greater light-gathering capability, the sensor is capable of capturing images in one one-hundredth the amount of light required by a professional-model digital SLR camera.

“In the past, enlarging the size of the sensor resulted in an increase in the amount of time required between the receiving and transmission of data signals, which posed a challenge to achieving high-speed readout. Canon, however, solved this problem through an innovative circuit design, making possible the realisation of a massive video-compatible CMOS sensor. Additionally, by ensuring the cleanest of cleanroom environments during the production process, the sensor minimizes image imperfections and dust.

“Because the increased size of the new CMOS sensor allows more light to be gathered, it enables shooting in low-light environments. The sensor makes possible the image capture in one one-hundredth the amount of light required by a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor, facilitating the shooting of 60 frame-per-second video with a mere 0.3 lux of illumination.”

“Potential applications for the new high-sensitivity CMOS sensor include the video recording of stars in the night sky and nocturnal animal behaviour.

“Through the further development of distinctive CMOS image sensors, Canon will break new ground in the world of new image expression, in the area of still images as well as video.”

BJP Article
 
That's going to take more than a couple of drops of Eclipse fluid and a mighty sensor swab to clean! :D

Looks impressive.
 
I guess that'll be going to space?

Even if we got this sensor our standard lens (like 50mm f/1.8) would be like a 300mm f/11? Then for the rich they can get a 300mm f/7.1 with amazing bokeh :D
 
Yeah you'd need like a 2500mm lens to fill the frame at the footy. The lens would be a 2500mm f/20 to equal a 400 2.8! :p

I think large format is designed for studio/landscape work really. (especially with the weight and slower apertures of lenses).

I can see wedding/portrait shooters adopting digital medium format at some point though, once it becomes as fast and easy as 35mm.
 
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I wonder if there is not some lost potential in using medium format for wildlife.
Nick Brandt's work is very impressive, and I think one of the reasons why is he shoots medium format and somehow manages to get up close to the animals. This gives a very natural and live perspective. People shooting a 600 f/4 with 1.4TC from afar can get sharp shots for sure, but they loose the 3D realism of the close perspective.

The issue is getting so close to the animals to make medium format viable means you would have to be 100% dedicated full time and immerse yourself in the animal world. The byproduct of which will probably show up in the photographs since one will grow such a connection to the animals. I guess this is what happens to Nick Brandt living in Africa for months at a time.
 
I wonder if there is not some lost potential in using medium format for wildlife.
Nick Brandt's work is very impressive, and I think one of the reasons why is he shoots medium format and somehow manages to get up close to the animals. This gives a very natural and live perspective. People shooting a 600 f/4 with 1.4TC from afar can get sharp shots for sure, but they loose the 3D realism of the close perspective.

The issue is getting so close to the animals to make medium format viable means you would have to be 100% dedicated full time and immerse yourself in the animal world. The byproduct of which will probably show up in the photographs since one will grow such a connection to the animals. I guess this is what happens to Nick Brandt living in Africa for months at a time.

Funny thing was I was going to mention Nick Brandt and potential for wildlife work with it, but I decided not to because I though it would lead to an unclear post! :p
 
Will it really, though? It's not going to be ultra-high resolution if the purpose of it is low-light capability, so it's not like it will particularly out-resolve current lenses.

I think he means just just the coverage area required.
Lens will need to be 10x bigger just to have the same reach as 35mm FX
 
Will it really, though? It's not going to be ultra-high resolution if the purpose of it is low-light capability, so it's not like it will particularly out-resolve current lenses.

It wouldn't be for low light since the lenses would be slow anyway (like a 300 f/11 would look like a 50 f/1.8 so you'd need ISO409,000 to make it more or less equal to the best today (25600 on. The d3s?)
 
Will it really, though? It's not going to be ultra-high resolution if the purpose of it is low-light capability, so it's not like it will particularly out-resolve current lenses.

As far as I understand yes. You're going to need some way of projecting the image onto the sensor. Stick a normal 35mm lens on and you're going to get a mass of black.
 
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