a short film produced WITHOUT POST PRODUCTION (save for resizing) with the 5D Mark II as source. impromptu petition has even been setup to try to convince Canon to bequeath it with 24p in a firmware update...
Being the leader in image manipulation, I am surprised that Adobe gave no details as to what CS4 is capable of ? This is an assumption on my behalf because I am sure you guys at Anandtech.com *would* report the nitty-gritty if it were made available . . . right ?
It is rumored that CS4 will take advantage of CUDA for parallel processing of images. This could be a HUGE boon for image retouchers, and judging from the current CUDA enabled scripting filter examples on Adobes site, I would view this as the next logical step for them.
The info provided by Adobe was short on specifics and big on sweeping generalities in the Press release. Adobe does claim more support of current hardware and is said to fully support quad core processing. That should interest our readers. CS4 also claims to better support today's graphics cards (GPU) for smoother pan and zoom functions though they don't specify which GPU hardware they are talking about.
To be blunt most PS users are forced to upgrade because Adobe makes new versions of its very popular Camera RAW plug-in incompatible with older PS versions. That means when you finally get your newer camera you are forced to upgrade PS if you want to process RAW files in Photoshop.
Yeah, thats exactly what I did: read adobes support pages, and the list is quite extensive. Albeit not as extensive as I hoped.
One thing that Adobe can not do quite right is standardize their UI, which they have changed AGAIN, and honestly it is annoying. They *claim* it will improve the user experience, and help speed things up, but that yet remains to be seen.
There's an error in the first chart. The Nikon etc. numbers should read 15.7 x 23.5.
This also shows why the 4/3 format has such a problem. If Olympus/Panasonic want to make a 15 MP sensor, the pixel density will jump to 6.2. That's way above where the other cameras will be. The 50D, with 15 MP is at 4.5. This will be a disadvantage in S/N. With less pixels, this hasn't been as much of a problem (though Panasonic has always has noise problems), but as site size continues to diminish, they will find it more difficult to make up for it.
They do use phase detect in their SLRs, along with some having contrast detect capability. The micro-4/3 cameras, as they have no mirror or other means of redirecting light, cannot use phase detect AF.
And I also wonder why anything in the lens has something to do with whether contrast detect AF works or not.
"The prototype has interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lenses and can fit today's Four Thirds lenses with full functionality by using an adapter"
As far as I'm aware the G1 does not have full compatibility with 4/3 lenses, there's no AF unless the lens supports contrast detect AF which is expected to be the same for the Olympus micro 4/3. The press release is vague on the point as it simply says you can mnount the lenses.
You are certainly correct that the Press release is less than crystal clear on this point. Based on the info you provide I have slightly changed the description you quote to remove "with full functionality".
We are also dealing with a prototype 6 months from introduction and we can only speculate on the shipping product. If your speculation is correct then four current 4/3 lenses support contrast detect. They are the 14-42mm, 40-150mm, 25mm f2.8, and the latest Panasonic/Leica 14-50mm.
Olympus was able to add contrast-detect compatibility to these lenses with a firmware upgrade. We are left to wonder whether that may be possible with other current 4/3 lenses. We will know with the shipping Olympus Micro 4/3 compact.
Since the contrast-detect AF compatibility on these lenses just required a firmware update perhaps more 4/5 lenses will be contrast AF compatible in the future. That is unknown right now.
It seems a bit stupid however :) I mean what does the lens do while focusing ? It just receives signals from the camera which way to move the lens groups. It does nothing in the focus evaluation.
It is not a DSLR but it does use a sensor that fits the broad APS-C category, where 4/3 cameras currently compete. We were very clear to call it an interchangeable lens camera without a mirror box.
We have changed the description to APS-C cameras for a more precise description.
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plonk420 - Saturday, September 27, 2008 - link
one person i know says that this is a breakthru for indy film producers. another person in film doesn't believe that it's coming from a digiSLR...http://vincentlaforet.com/">http://vincentlaforet.com/
a short film produced WITHOUT POST PRODUCTION (save for resizing) with the 5D Mark II as source. impromptu petition has even been setup to try to convince Canon to bequeath it with 24p in a firmware update...
yyrkoon - Saturday, September 27, 2008 - link
Being the leader in image manipulation, I am surprised that Adobe gave no details as to what CS4 is capable of ? This is an assumption on my behalf because I am sure you guys at Anandtech.com *would* report the nitty-gritty if it were made available . . . right ?It is rumored that CS4 will take advantage of CUDA for parallel processing of images. This could be a HUGE boon for image retouchers, and judging from the current CUDA enabled scripting filter examples on Adobes site, I would view this as the next logical step for them.
Wesley Fink - Saturday, September 27, 2008 - link
The info provided by Adobe was short on specifics and big on sweeping generalities in the Press release. Adobe does claim more support of current hardware and is said to fully support quad core processing. That should interest our readers. CS4 also claims to better support today's graphics cards (GPU) for smoother pan and zoom functions though they don't specify which GPU hardware they are talking about.To be blunt most PS users are forced to upgrade because Adobe makes new versions of its very popular Camera RAW plug-in incompatible with older PS versions. That means when you finally get your newer camera you are forced to upgrade PS if you want to process RAW files in Photoshop.
We believed our readers would want to know a new version of Photoshop is coming, and they could find out more it they were interested. You can see the Press Release for yourself at http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressrel...">http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressro...srelease... We decided not to repeat it. We will know more when Photoshop CS4 and PS CS4 Extended ship next month.
yyrkoon - Saturday, September 27, 2008 - link
Yeah, thats exactly what I did: read adobes support pages, and the list is quite extensive. Albeit not as extensive as I hoped.One thing that Adobe can not do quite right is standardize their UI, which they have changed AGAIN, and honestly it is annoying. They *claim* it will improve the user experience, and help speed things up, but that yet remains to be seen.
melgross - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
There's an error in the first chart. The Nikon etc. numbers should read 15.7 x 23.5.This also shows why the 4/3 format has such a problem. If Olympus/Panasonic want to make a 15 MP sensor, the pixel density will jump to 6.2. That's way above where the other cameras will be. The 50D, with 15 MP is at 4.5. This will be a disadvantage in S/N. With less pixels, this hasn't been as much of a problem (though Panasonic has always has noise problems), but as site size continues to diminish, they will find it more difficult to make up for it.
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
Dimension is corrected. The area was correct, but the decimal number for one dimension got dropped in editing.melgross - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
Olympus doesn't use the faster, and often more accurate, phase detection for auto focus?Or is it that the compatibility will only extend to the older method of contrast detection?
If so, and there's no phase detection, that's a negative.
strikeback03 - Monday, September 29, 2008 - link
They do use phase detect in their SLRs, along with some having contrast detect capability. The micro-4/3 cameras, as they have no mirror or other means of redirecting light, cannot use phase detect AF.And I also wonder why anything in the lens has something to do with whether contrast detect AF works or not.
Johnmcl7 - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
"The prototype has interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lenses and can fit today's Four Thirds lenses with full functionality by using an adapter"As far as I'm aware the G1 does not have full compatibility with 4/3 lenses, there's no AF unless the lens supports contrast detect AF which is expected to be the same for the Olympus micro 4/3. The press release is vague on the point as it simply says you can mnount the lenses.
John
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
You are certainly correct that the Press release is less than crystal clear on this point. Based on the info you provide I have slightly changed the description you quote to remove "with full functionality".We are also dealing with a prototype 6 months from introduction and we can only speculate on the shipping product. If your speculation is correct then four current 4/3 lenses support contrast detect. They are the 14-42mm, 40-150mm, 25mm f2.8, and the latest Panasonic/Leica 14-50mm.
Olympus was able to add contrast-detect compatibility to these lenses with a firmware upgrade. We are left to wonder whether that may be possible with other current 4/3 lenses. We will know with the shipping Olympus Micro 4/3 compact.
haplo602 - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
sorry guys but WTF are you talking about? how is the AF type relevant to lens motor operation ?I mean the adapter should be translating the signals to the lens properly (unless 4/3 lenses are screw blade driven).
also you could then not AF in LiveView on regular 4/3 systems as they use contrast detect as one of the AF modes ...
please explain ... I am a bit puzzled here ...
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
Obviously it should be 4/3 and not 4/5 in my reply. We DO need an EDIT function.Wesley Fink - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
Olympus made it clear in specifications (and our testing of the E-520 and Panasonic Lumix L10) that only these four lenses are compatible with contrast detect. You can easily check the E-520 focusing specifications for yourself at http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product....">http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.....Since the contrast-detect AF compatibility on these lenses just required a firmware update perhaps more 4/5 lenses will be contrast AF compatible in the future. That is unknown right now.
haplo602 - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
ah thanks for the link.It seems a bit stupid however :) I mean what does the lens do while focusing ? It just receives signals from the camera which way to move the lens groups. It does nothing in the focus evaluation.
haplo602 - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
there should be an EDIT function ...EDIT of the above post: Please make a section specific to G1, it is NOT an APS-C DSLR :-)
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 26, 2008 - link
It is not a DSLR but it does use a sensor that fits the broad APS-C category, where 4/3 cameras currently compete. We were very clear to call it an interchangeable lens camera without a mirror box.We have changed the description to APS-C cameras for a more precise description.