Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

I was reading the article titled "Be A Digital Ansel Adams" in the March, 2014 Outdoor Photographer and came across the following statement:

"...D800E (with an AA filter but its effect has been negated)."

This is the first time I have read the D800E actually has an AA filter. Is it possible that, if this statement is correct, the AA filter in this camera could be turned off and on, possibly with some future software if Nikon chose to make it available?

The same article also states the Pentax K3 "incorporates an AA filter simulator you can activate when desired." The fact a camera does exist that has an AA filter that can be activated, or not, might indicate this feature will become more common in the future, and I find that intriguing.

Does anyone have any further info on this subject? I did do a search for it but didn't come up with anything.

I found this article interesting and informative. Although the context of the article is "what would Ansel have done?" it could also have been titled something like "A Guide to Landscape Photography Equipment and Technique."

TIA for any info on the AA filter question.

rebride

Check this out - http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/08/30/nikon-creates-selectable-strength-low-pass-filter

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I believe that's the case. It isn't that the filter has not been put into the 800E but that it has been overridden or bypassed somehow.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Interesting link and reading.
Thank you.

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

What about the D7100 that supposedly has "no AA filter"? Same thing?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Birefringence." Now we have a new photographic term. I imagine there will be lengthy discussions about the benefits and pitfalls of birefringence.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

From DPReview:
"The headline feature is, of course the D7100's 24MP sensor, which places it alongside the highest resolution APS-C cameras on the market.... Nikon went a step further though, and removed the camera's optical low-pass filter (OLPF), which in theory offers an increase in resolving capability...."

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Didn't the same statement apply to the D800e?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Yes, just can't locate it right now...

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

The K-3 uses its in body stabilization to simulate an AA filter by applying minute vibration to the sensor to cause slight blur it has 3 settings off and 1 and 2

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

The Outdoor Photographer article isn't entirely clear if there is a difference between the D7100 and D800E regarding their AA filters, or lack thereof. The text states:

"Some manufacturers now offer DSLRs without and OLPF,...... These include Nikon's 24-megapixel APS-C D5300 and D7100 and 36-megapixel full-frame D800E (with and AA filter but its effect has been negated)," and then goes on to list two Pentax and all Sigma DSLRs as also not having AA filters. From the way the sentence is structured I would interpret it as saying only the D800E has an AA filter that has been negated and the D5500 and D7100 don't have one at all, but I'm not certain if that was the writers actual meaning.

Thanks for all of the replies.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Let's see what MT Shooter has to say.

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

From the Nikon website: "...the D800E removes the "effect" of the optical low pass filter (OLPF) providing increased resolution in images. This brings a slight gain in sharpness and resolution, and is recommended for studio and still life professionals but carries an increased possibility that moiré and false color will appear. "

It does not say that the AA filter was removed, only that the effects were.

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

I can guarantee you that using a D800 (without the E) when you take a full length group portrait--with some space around them--you can count eyelashes --which (to me) seems like resolution enough--certainly the risk of moiré is not worth the very small additional you might otherwise gain.
Stan

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

I agree Stan. I also shoot with a D800 and I went that way rather than the 'E' because of the risk of moiré and the almost imperceptible difference in clarity.