A Unique Monochrome Medium Format Back, article.
A monochrome (Black/White) digital camera would have greater resolution and greater sensitivity than the normal color ones. A lot more of both. Because you don't have the color filters to steal light. But unfortunately at the moment there is only one such camera, and it's unreasonably expensive (price like a good car). We can hope a more customer-friendly camera will be made some day soon.
Oh, and isn't just typical of this universe that making a good camera without the added complexities of the color matrix filters was harder than making a color camera, not easier? Ridiculous, but typical.
3 comments:
It's not more difficult, monochrome sensors are readily available. It's just that nobody is interested in making a consumer product with such sensors.
(captcha: mates)
I agree with Bert. I remember there being a conversation over on TOP about how nice it would be to have a digital camera with a monochrome sensor. I'd go for that.
And while we're at it, why can't we have a camera with interchangeable sensors? Start with color, monochrome, and IR sensors, then add more as demand develops.
Bert's point, I believe, is the only relevant one though. If either a monochrome camera or a camera that could swap sensors came out, how many units would sell? 10,000? 50,000? Either way, it's a lot of investment for a meager return.
Well, the article says that Phase One had a hell of a time making the camera (back) work well.
(Sadly it also says that he could see no resolution advantage. But it must be remembered that this was already a back with *very* high resolution. Maybe it would make more difference with 12 megapixels.)
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