EXCERPT page containing first few paragraphs. 2021-05-06 03:53:58
UA_SEARCH_BOT_null @ 3.236.100.86
Enable javascript for this site to show Retina images, aperture series, image toggles, topics page menus and more.
Mitigating A7R Micro Contrast Diffraction Losses with Sharpening
See also Sharpening A7R Raw Files in Adobe Camera Raw and Topaz InFocus.
This discussion uses an image from the 36-megapixel Sony A7R, but the same principle applies to any camera. The finer the pixel pitch (the smaller the pixels) the more diffraction degrades per-pixel image quality*. This stems from the size of the “circle of confusion”, which grows in size as the lens is stopped down, and places a hard limit on resolution.
Speaking in full frame terms and when utilizing high-grade lenses, diffraction effects for a 36 megapixel sensor result in a faint dulling of micro contrast at f/8, a very noticeable but manageable dulling at f/11, and so much dulling at f/16 that f/16 is visibly inferior to the lens wide open (for a high grade lens). Moving to a ~54 megapixel sensor, take off one stop: f/11 is degraded to a similar degree as f/16 as on the 36-megapixel sensor. Again, this is on a per pixel basis.
Article continues for subscribers...
Diglloyd Guide to Mirrorless is by yearly subscription. Subscribe now for about 25 cents a day ($90/year).
BEST DEAL: get full access to ALL 8 PUBLICATIONS for only 68 cents a day ($249.95)!
Diglloyd Guide to Mirrorless offers comprehensive integrated coverage of most APS-C and full frame mirrorless cameras and lenses.
Special emphasis is placed on Sony full-frame, including Sony lenses and the high performance Zeiss Batis and Zeiss Loxia lenses plus Rokinon/Samyang and others. Fujifilm X, Olympus and Panasonic M4/3, Sigma dp Merrill and dp/sd Quattro are also covered in depth. Years in the making, it offers a wealth of material for choosing and using a mirrorless camera.
- Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away. For example, the best way to set up your Sony camera.
- Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly with the numerous lenses available for Sony.
- Make better images, a sort of “cheat sheet” saving yourself months or years of ad-hoc learning—best practices and how-to and processing parameters are discussed and shown.
- Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops.
- Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
- Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
- Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.
Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Sony.
