I think you are missing some info. The chip in the Dimage 7 is the same one that is in the Nikon D-1x which is 5.24 MP and 23.7mm x 15.6mm. It's a matter of semantics. When you see a CCD array listed as 2/3 inch it doesn't refer to the actual size but to the ratio when compared to a 35mm frame. If you multiple the 36x24 dimensions by 2/3 you get 24x16 which is the same as the Nikon chip just that they are using the exact measurement not a ratio. The Canon D30 uses another brand of chip which is 3.25 MP and 22.7x15.1 which is considered close enough to be listed as a 2/3 size chip. Which means a 1.6x lens ratio. The chips that say 1/1.8 inch (Dimage 5 is an example) are physically approximately 20mm x 13.3mm. The Canon EOS-1D uses a 4.1 MP 28.7x19.1mm array which might be called a 4/5 inch array if anybody else used it. This camera is not so much designed as something a D30 user would move to but something an EOS-1 user would use because the focal length aspect ratio change is not as great so keeping your existing lenses would still make sense in this case. Difference between a 200/1.8 being a 260/1.8 verses a 320/1.8 with the D30. Personally if it wasn't for the cost I'd think the EOS-1D is about the most perfect digital camera I've seen yet. It's spec favor my type of shooting. Unfortunately it doesn't use either Pentax or Minolta lenses. Kent Gittings
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Mike Johnston Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 3:40 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Implications for optics WAS: New Pentax digital SLR 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 . ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. www.mimesweeper.com ********************************************************************** - 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 .
