Huge news for Dslr owners.

[Deadtrees]

There's been a talk about FF converters ever since this guy claimed that he's working on it. Well, it's been almost half a year and the guy managed to make production samples. I've seen 3 test shots of 350D+FF converter+17~35mm and 50mm 1.8 comparing to 5D+same lenses and the result is quite impressive. Well, there're always these geeks in every fields who come out with amazing ideas and the results.

For now, he's almost done with the Canon FF converter. He said he'll keep on working on other cameras' converters once he's done with the Canon one. However, it's harder on the other cameras as some cameras use FF mirror and that it blocks FF converter to go in(Ex: D50, D70, Pentax *ist series). Also, there were some other minor issues. He said he's working on it but not so sure at this time as he's busy finalizing Canon FF converter.

Well, the catch is that there'd be a slight decrease in image quality and this is the guy's main concern. Well, that's something I can't tell until I see the final product. However, sample shots were quite impressive. I can't wait to see sample shots of final products using 30D and 5D(Because 30D and 5D uses same image processing methods)

In addition, because it compresses the density of the light, the F stop of the lens gets lower(EDIT: The F stop is the same. It's just that the sensor will be able to get stronger light as the light is compressed. Thus, you'd be able to get faster shutter speed as if the F stop of the lens is lower) Simply, you'll be able to get faster shutter speed than using on the FF camera.
(Ex. 85mm F/1.2 lens becomes 85mm F/0.8 ~ 1.0 lens)

Anyway, this is such a good news for Dslr users!
(Well, I guess it wouldn't apply to those who have darn expensive FF Dslrs)

 

[yhelothar]

So is this really just a 0.6x wide angle converter in disguise? I'd rather not use those.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
So is this really just a 0.6x wide angle converter in disguise? I'd rather not use those.

Nope. I wouldn't even compare FF converter to any of wide angle converter.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
So is this really just a 0.6x wide angle converter in disguise? I'd rather not use those.

Nope. I wouldn't even compare FF converter to any of wide angle converters.
If it was like those converters, I would've not even written about it.
(those converters decreases F value of the lens and impacts image quality pretty bad)

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
So is this really just a 0.6x wide angle converter in disguise? I'd rather not use those.

Nope. I wouldn't even compare FF converter to any of wide angle converters.
If it was like those converters, I would've not even written about it.
(those converters decreases F value of the lens and impacts image quality pretty bad)

Then how would it work? The only other way is to actually change the sensor.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
So is this really just a 0.6x wide angle converter in disguise? I'd rather not use those.

Nope. I wouldn't even compare FF converter to any of wide angle converters.
If it was like those converters, I would've not even written about it.
(those converters decreases F value of the lens and impacts image quality pretty bad)

Then how would it work? The only other way is to actually change the sensor.

Sorry, I can't go into details as I haven't got a permission from him.
It's a wide spread news in xxxxxxxxx and he gave out open and detailed information to members there (more than 30,000 amateur to professional members). However, I just do not think I should give out all the information on the other forum.

Once I get his permission, I'll be able to give out more detailed information.
(However, you can pretty much guss how it works if you think about 1. that mirror issue 2. faster F stop value due to higher density of the light.

 

[yhelothar]

Optical technology hasn't really changed much in the last 60 years. We're still using the same Planar design that Zeiss made in the 40s for just about every 50mm F/1.4 out there.
I doubt that someone would come with a breakthrough product.
But we'll see.
The only way I see it working is if they took the FF image and condensed it to the size of the APS sized sensor, which is different than a wide angle converter making the image larger.
But to increase the focal distance of the lens, the F stop is compromised, I can't see it getting brighter.

 

[Malak]

I have no idea what you guys are babbling about.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Optical technology hasn't really changed much in the last 60 years. We're still using the same Planar design that Zeiss made in the 40s for just about every 50mm F/1.4 out there.
I doubt that someone would come with a breakthrough product.
But we'll see.
The only way I see it working is if they took the FF image and condensed it to the size of the APS sized sensor, which is different than a wide angle converter making the image larger.
But to increase the focal distance of the lens, the F stop is compromised, I can't see it getting brighter.

After reading your post.....I realized what you're saying makes sense.
I checked the exif data of the sample shots, and they, indeed, had same F stop and shutter speed value.

The thought of lens getting brighter(in fact, it's the sensor being able to get more light) was from an another member(who is also an profesional optic engineer). Given that, I'll have to check with the actual maker of the FF converter on that issue.

(He claimed the light that comes from the FF converter will have high density as the light is compressed in order to fit into APS-C sensor. Thus, even though the F stop is the same, sensor will be able to absorb more light(brighter) when compared to FF sensor)


I rechecked the Exif Data and he did step down exposure value (EV-0.3) on 350D in order to match it with 5D's exposure. Thus, you do get faster shutter speed using 1:1 converter.

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Optical technology hasn't really changed much in the last 60 years. We're still using the same Planar design that Zeiss made in the 40s for just about every 50mm F/1.4 out there.
I doubt that someone would come with a breakthrough product.
But we'll see.
The only way I see it working is if they took the FF image and condensed it to the size of the APS sized sensor, which is different than a wide angle converter making the image larger.
But to increase the focal distance of the lens, the F stop is compromised, I can't see it getting brighter.

After reading your post.....I realized what you're saying makes sense.
I checked the exif data of the sample shots, and they, indeed, had same F stop and shutter speed value.

The thought of lens getting brighter(in fact, it's the sensor being able to get more light) was from an another member(who is also an profesional optic engineer). Given that, I'll have to check with the actual maker of the FF converter on that issue.

(He claimed the light that comes from the FF converter will have high density as the light is compressed in order to fit into APS-C sensor. Thus, even though the F stop is the same, sensor will be able to absorb more light(brighter) when compared to FF sensor)

If the sensor can will be able to absorbe more light. Then won't that throw off your exposures?

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: PHiuR

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Optical technology hasn't really changed much in the last 60 years. We're still using the same Planar design that Zeiss made in the 40s for just about every 50mm F/1.4 out there.
I doubt that someone would come with a breakthrough product.
But we'll see.
The only way I see it working is if they took the FF image and condensed it to the size of the APS sized sensor, which is different than a wide angle converter making the image larger.
But to increase the focal distance of the lens, the F stop is compromised, I can't see it getting brighter.

After reading your post.....I realized what you're saying makes sense.
I checked the exif data of the sample shots, and they, indeed, had same F stop and shutter speed value.

The thought of lens getting brighter(in fact, it's the sensor being able to get more light) was from an another member(who is also an profesional optic engineer). Given that, I'll have to check with the actual maker of the FF converter on that issue.

(He claimed the light that comes from the FF converter will have high density as the light is compressed in order to fit into APS-C sensor. Thus, even though the F stop is the same, sensor will be able to absorb more light(brighter) when compared to FF sensor)

If the sensor can will be able to absorbe more light. Then won't that throw off your exposures?

Exposure metering sure will/can handle that just like how it handles your various lenses with various F stops.