Has Tamron solved low light problems once and for all? Tamron say they have developed a new sensor that can capture good color pictures at 0,03 lux or less than starlight darkness.

JPL

Tamron say they have developed a new sensor that can capture good color pictures at 0,03 lux or less than starlight darkness. This may be the ultimate low light solution. But I find it very interesting that Tamron has come up with this and not Sony or Canon or Nikon etc.

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

JPL wrote:

Tamron say they have developed a new sensor that can capture good color pictures at 0,03 lux or less than starlight darkness. This may be the ultimate low light solution. But I find it very interesting that Tamron has come up with this and not Sony or Canon or Nikon etc.

Maybe it's a "theoretical" sensor they were talking about!?

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

Interested ---- Show your source & if possible web address
Thanks

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

JPL, that may be the case, but how does the sensor react across the board? Does it work well in "normal" light conditions?
--Bob

JPL wrote:

Tamron say they have developed a new sensor that can capture good color pictures at 0,03 lux or less than starlight darkness. This may be the ultimate low light solution. But I find it very interesting that Tamron has come up with this and not Sony or Canon or Nikon etc.

JPL

Here is more about this. I am not sure what this really is as it is described as sensor, optics and software. Maybe it is just a sensor with some nano optics, maybe it is something else.

http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2016/1107.html

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

JPL wrote:

Here is more about this. I am not sure what this really is as it is described as sensor, optics and software. Maybe it is just a sensor with some nano optics, maybe it is something else.

http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2016/1107.html

It sounds like a high falutin' way of saying night vision binoculars/camera.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

if they use the CMOS it will be interesting to see what kind of packing densities the come up with.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

No. The sensor is still in development where it is likely to remain for some time. This is a joint collaboration with a university and still in the realms of research. When - if - it does appear it is believed it will be a somewhat costly industrial product first long before it filters into the mainstream.

There are several other projects on low light sensors; Nikon / Sony are believed to be working on a new sensor design to resolve issues with the D5 dynamic range and may well be the first to announce something on this.

Gpa-15 Loc: Tinton Falls, NJ

jethro779 wrote:

It sounds like a high falutin' way of saying night vision binoculars/camera.

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Hi 'jethro779'... Totally AGREE.!!! --- I alluded to THAT 'built-in' in a previous Post; ...I (at that time), was soliciting comments for the Design of the Ultimate P&S Camera (i.e. With a 'perfected' HDR; ...etc.)

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

JPL wrote:

Tamron say they have developed a new sensor that can capture good color pictures at 0,03 lux or less than starlight darkness. This may be the ultimate low light solution. But I find it very interesting that Tamron has come up with this and not Sony or Canon or Nikon etc.

That is a two megapixel full-frame sensor. How much would you be willing to spend for a two megapixel camera? Max print size 4"x6".
If you need to crop your image . . .

But maybe there is a market for miniature prints and images, and Canon and Nikon are working a one megapixel sensor with even better low light capability.

By the way, I found a secret to getting fantastic images in complete darkness with a 24-megapixel camera . . . flash.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

As far as I know Tamron makes optical lenses, not sensors. I would expect such an announcement from a company like Sony but never Tamron.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Sounds interesting. Maybe someday...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

jackpi wrote:

That is a two megapixel full-frame sensor. How much would you be willing to spend for a two megapixel camera? Max print size 4"x6".
If you need to crop your image . . .

But maybe there is a market for miniature prints and images, and Canon and Nikon are working a one megapixel sensor with even better low light capability.

By the way, I found a secret to getting fantastic images in complete darkness with a 24-megapixel camera . . . flash.

I believe Canon has a 4 million ISO sensor in a production camera now.
It is on their Web site as for sale with the EF mount.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

JPL wrote:

Tamron say they have developed a new sensor that can capture good color pictures at 0,03 lux or less than starlight darkness. This may be the ultimate low light solution. But I find it very interesting that Tamron has come up with this and not Sony or Canon or Nikon etc.

Patents can be worth a lot. It does hurt to do R&D.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

All this has to do with Tamaron's development of survalence cameras of all sorts; not photography ( I think)….but you never can tell.

JPL wrote:

Here is more about this. I am not sure what this really is as it is described as sensor, optics and software. Maybe it is just a sensor with some nano optics, maybe it is something else.

http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2016/1107.html