Kent G. wrote: > I agree completely. Smaller chip size is often preferable because the same > aspect ratio can be done with a smaller lighter lens. Whether anybody > settles on 1.3x or 1.6x remains to be seen.
Kents, I know you're agreeing with ME here so for me to agree right back again is getting a little ridiculous, but I just wanted to second this. I truly think that the opportunity to standardize on a smaller chip size is one of the great opportunities of the digital revolution, for the very reason you mention--smaller, lighter, faster, cheaper lenses. The pro-level f/2.8-speed 28-70 and 80-200 lenses we put up with today are ridiculous. They're monstrosities--very expensive, and huge. The fact is, 35mm wasn't designed for zoom lenses and it's really too large for them. I'd like to see commonly used lenses get back down into the size and weight range of primes during the classic era. The makers have the opportunity to do that by standardizing on a somewhat smaller CCD size. I fervently hope they do it. The next shot in this battle will likely be heard when the Olympus-Kodak SLR comes out at PMA next year. It will be the FIRST interchangeable-lens SLR built from the ground up for digital, i.e., not meant for existing 35mm lenses. Should be really, really interesting. --Mike P.S. For an extreme example of what this can mean, look at the 28-200mm equivalent lens on the Minolta Dimage 7. Now, that's a crappy camera, and the CCD size is TOO small, but then lens is smaller than a 100mm f/2.8 SMCP-M lens, and it's fast, f/2.8 to 3.5, and it's a SUPERB little lens, really a bit of a masterpiece. Granted, this is an extreme example, but just imagine a Pentax digital SLR that looks like the MZ-S that you could buy an 80-200 f/2 for that was the size and weight of, say, the current 100mm FA macro, or a 28-70 that was the size of, say, the 77mm Limited and _faster_ than f/2.8. This is what smaller CCDs offer. The implications for optics are really exciting. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
