EOS 5D Mark III hacked: Anti-aliasing filter removed, more sharpness

This is a hardware hack performed on the EOS 5D Mark III. It voids guaranty and should absolutely be avoided without the necessary technical knowledge.

James Miller teared down his brand new EOS 5D Mark III and removed the Optical Low-Pass Filter (aka Anti-Aliasing filter) that’s put on the sensor. It seems that the filter is really blurring the image, since the pics shot without the filter are much more detailed. Judge for yourself – first pic shot with the OLPF and the second without:

EOS 5D Mark III with anti-aliasing filter
EOS 5D Mark III with removed anti-aliasing filter

NOTE: pictures shot at different days, using same camera settings. Original pics can be downloaded:

As you can see the pic shot without the OLPF has more detail and more sharpness in general. Brick walls and roofs reveal details not seen on the crop from the pic shot with the mounted OLPF. Moreover, the filter is responsible for reducing moire and aliasing, but looking at the crops you can see some aliasing but no moire. Two more crops, left one with, right one without OLPF – look at the clock and at the roof above the clock:

        
OLPF mounted                                                         OLPF removed

The is a big difference regarding image details with details appearing in the pic shot without the OLPF that are barely if even visible in the crop from the pic shot with the OLPF mounted.

Miller also shot a video with the modded 5D Mark III:

Given the strong increase in details, it looks like if Canon has put on the EOS 5D Mark III an OLPF that’s too strong, and that’s sensibly reducing the native capabilities of the sensor. Reducing moire is important, but I question if it has to come with such a considerable loss in detail (not just for video mode, also for stills). However, the absence of moire in the crops from the frame grabs does not mean that in other circumstances there would not be more moire. James Miller is now using his 5D Mark III without the filter, so more news will come. Stay tuned.

Here are some pics of the tear down:

James Miller on Twitter

For the latest 5D Mark III pics uploaded to Flickr and our eBay live-ticker for possible 5D Mark III deals click here.

The following shops have the EOS 5D Mark III in stock and ready to ship:

  • Amazon: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 – click here
  • Canon store: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 – click here
  • B&H: 5D Mark III body $3,499 – click here
  • J&R: 5D Mark III body $3,499 – click here
  • J&R: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 – click here (NOTE: shows up as out of stock, should be in stock in a few hours)
  • Adorama: 5D Mark III body + free photo-book $3,499 – click here
  • Adorama: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 –click here
  • DigitalRev: 5D Mark III body – location-based price, different kit options, ships in 24h – click here
  • DigitalRev: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L – location-based price, different kit options, ships in 24h – click here
[via EOSHD]

 

EOS 5D Mark III in stock & ready for shipping news round-up and DPreview test-lab samples

1) This shops all have the 5D Mark III in stock and ready for shipping, some offer various kit combinations:

    • Amazon: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 – click here
    • Canon store: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 – click here
    • B&H: 5D Mark III body $3,499 – click here
    • J&R: 5D Mark III body $3,499 – click here
    • J&R: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 – click here (NOTE: shows up as out of stock, should be in stock in a few hours)
    • Adorama: 5D Mark III body + free photo-book $3,499 – click here
    • Adorama: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L $4,299 –click here
    • DigitalRev: 5D Mark III body – location-based price, different kit options, ships in 24h – click here
    • DigitalRev: 5D Mark III w/24-105mm f/4 L – location-based price, different kit options, ships in 24h – click here
2) DPreview published a new set of professional samples images shot in test-lab setting, JPG and RAW, comparison widget (Nikon D800, 5D Mark II, Sony A900 on crops) – click here.
World-wide EOS 5D Mark III check:

A possible Canon mirror-less ILC concept by D. Riesenberg

Credits: David Riesenberg

For the time being Canon is the only major brand that still did not jump on the mirrorless bandwagon (at least not for a ILC – Interchangeable Lens Camera). The closest thing to a mirrorless camera that Canon made is the G1 X. Even Nikon did its thing with the Nikon V1. While we are all eagerly waiting for Canon to announce a true mirrorless system camera (and I am almost sure we will see something in September at Photokina 2012), David Riesenberg, a designer, has come up with an interesting mock-up made using CAD-software. D. Riesenberg called its concept AE-D, clearly having in mind Canon’s AE cams of the seventies. In his own words:

Like many others, I too have been waiting for quite a while for Canon to release its mirrorless system. There are speculations and indications that they may very well do so this year, but I personally grew a bit restless. Because of this, I decided to put to paper, or rather to CAD and rendering software, my vision of such camera. After about a month of learning, debating, modeling and rendering, the Canon AE-D came to life.

As you can see in the following pictures, the concept has a old-fashioned looking design that is somewhat resembling the Olympus E-M5 (it seems that retro-style aesthetics paired with up to date technology is the big thing for a lot of people).

Credits: David Riesenberg

David Riesenberg’s thoughts on his concept:

The design is inspired by the classic AE and AE-P which are two of my favorite Canon cameras ever. Simple, iconic, timeless. I couldn’t think of a better basis for a modern mirrorless system.
Some of the main features and the reasoning behind them are:
Full Frame – Might as well be the pinnacle of 35mm. Especially if a new lens mount is required. Future proof.
18.1MP sensor from the 1DX – This camera will not rob sales from the 1DX on form factor alone so it makes sense to use an existing sensor instead of a new one. Plus, it will make an excellent pair to someone with an 1DX.

The next picture shows the same concept without the viewfinder.

Credits: David Riesenberg

D. Riesenberg about the EVF:

Viewfinder – Design wise, I knew from the start that I wanted to incorporate the prism hump of the AE cameras. It is a prominent feature that without it, the context of the design gets somewhat lost. At the same time, it is obviously not a technical requirement in mirrorless cameras so making it detachable while housing the EVF felt like the the optimal combination of form and function. After all, if this is a camera for photographers, a viewfinder, even if electronic, is a must.

There are some considerations to make. Besides competing with the Nikon V1, a Canon mirrorless camera sporting a full-frame sensor would compete with the Leica M9 (which, besides being a $7000 toy, for the time being is the smallest mirrorless full-frame system camera you can get). The other big competitor would be the Fujifilm X Pro1, especially because the interesting price tag and its well known IQ (using an APS-C sensor).

Credits: David Riesenberg

Read the original article clicking here.

We can only hope that Canon got the message :-). In the meantime you can have a look at the G1 X, the closest thing resembling a ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) Canon has made so far. Or you can have a look to the latest images shot with a G1 X that have been uploaded to Flickr (click here). Canon G1 X price check B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA.

Check the following boxes (our eBay live-ticker) for possible deals regarding the cameras mentioned in this post.

Canon G1 X:

Leica M9:

Olympus E-M5:

Nikon V1:

Fujifilm X-Pro 1:

[shariff]

New pre-order option for Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE

Just want to let you know that you can pre-order the new Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 super wide angle lens at B&H (click here). Expected availability: April 2012.

Product Highlights

  • Ultra Wide-Angle Lens for Canon EF Mount
  • Excellent Zeiss Optical/Build Quality
  • Superb Chromatic Aberration Correction
  • Unparalleled Prevention of Color Fringes
  • Two Aspheric Lenses Improve Quality
  • Anti-Reflective Coating Cuts Stray Light
  • Integrated Lens Shade Protects Lens
  • Wide Field Angle of 110 Degrees
  • Focuses to Closer Than 10″
  • Manual Focus

The Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Lens for Canon EF Mount is a precision ultra wide-angle lens built with a Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflection coating that yields images with depth, contrast, and brilliance even under difficult lighting situations. It also delivers photos with contrasting edges, without color fringing. This manual focus ultra wide-angle provides the photographer with a tool that enables dramatic perspectives and creative possibilities. It’s useful for landscape photography, interiors and other subjects that require its unique spatial organization. It focuses to 9.84″ (24.99 cm).

The 15mm f/2.8 features electronic shutter control and additional electronic contacts to the camera. All existing exposure programs (P, AV, TV, M) and the AF confirmation function of the camera are supported; lens information (focal length and speed) is passed on to the camera. Certain functions that require the use of AF lenses (various scene modes, A-DEP) are partially unavailable. The Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 comes with an EF bayonet (ZE) mount for Canon film and digital full-frame SLRs. It has a M95 x 1.0 size filter thread and a built-in lens shade.

    Extraordinary chromatic aberration correction
    Prevention of color fringes caused by chromatic aberration almost without exception.
    Two aspheric lenses, special types of glass with exceptional partial dispersion and the floating elements design, guarantee high image quality from close-up to infinity.
    Anti-reflective coating and the advanced treatment of the lens edges with special dark black lacquers ensure insensitivity to reflections and stray light.
    Whether salt crystals or drops of water-its integrated lens shade and standard filter thread afford the front lens optimal protection from wind and weath