LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Since I'm considering both of these cameras, the removal of the OLPF is a distinguishing difference between the D7000 & the D7100. DPReview has this to say in their review of the D7100"
"While Nikon has made much of the D7100's omission of an image-softening OLPF, we've found that in practical terms the filter's removal is essentially a neutral move. Under the overwhelming majority of real world usage you get no visible benefit in terms of image detail...."
So I'm curious what your comparisons show, in the "real world"....
Thanks
Since I'm considering both of these cameras, the r... (
show quote)
Let me speak about this from personal opinion. No, I do not have both a 7000 and a 7100 to make a definitive case for the low pass AA filter situation..
Having said that, I have formed my observations from research and anecdotal comments from Users. The problem is having an objective view based on situations where the two camera's are closely tested against each other. That's not going to happen in the average user market.
I personally think the comment you listed from DPreview is simply horseshit. Earlier they were very high on the improvement of the 7100 vs 7000 out of camera sharpness. So, what happened between those raves and this ambivalent comment.
My own personal experience with Olympus in simply weakening the AA filter has proven very positive on increased sharpness from the camera... starting 3 model generations ago. The EM5 and the new EM1 benefit by removal of the AA filter. This is highly documented in reviews and anecdotally on the internet in real life usage.
Then there is the absolutely documented process of the AA filter in the first place. Low Pass or AA filtering smudges sharpness to reduce aliasing in digital images. This is a known issue. So it seems that when you reduce the low pass or AA filter strength, or remove it altogether, one natural result is less smudging of the sharpness and let the aliasing fall where it may.
That's just a basic understanding of what low pass or Anti Aliasing does to the digital capture as a matter of the process.
Therefore, there can be no doubt that installing and using a low pass or AA filter processhas some negative impact on sharpness, while not passing the capture through those filter(s) precludes the "smudging" as it is commonly called.
Then there is the matter of degree of change.
Let me be clear on my personal observation on this matter. Digital SLR camera's have always been the biggest disappointment to me on the matter of image sharpness. I am constantly frustrated by capturing images with the best camera's and lenses I can lay my hands on AND THEN having to post process for more satisfactory results.
Therefore, anything the camera industry does to increase OOC sharpness, even marginally, is a HUGE deal to me.
I get pissed ever time I think about what lengths I go to in capturing sharp images. The mere knowledge that Low Pass AA filtering is even slightly retrograde in creating sharp images is just infuriation.
The camera manufacturers would have been better served to address this issue before addressing low light image capture for the few who shoot in dark venues, or smoky bars, or other venues that are a small part of the whole of image capture.
I don't care if taking the low pass filter out of a camera only offers a 5% improvement, or barely visible improvement. It's much more important to me than what the manufacturers have delivered to date falls short of what I look for, such a video, extreme low light shooting and other inconsequential "improvements"
Canon on the one hand shows no interest in dealing with the low pass, AA filter problem. Canon's DSLR video is fraught with "moire" problems if you read the reports closely. This seems like a counter argument to the issue of low pass aa filtering. But, is it because the instance of "moire" problems they are already dealing with a weak point in the technology of the sensors they use. Whose sensors do they use anyway?
Rant. Yes!!! Removal of Low Pass and/or AA filter removal is controversial. Yes.... the arguments weigh heavily toward getting that technology out of most cameras, for any improvement in OOC shooting at all.
By itself, it's a deal maker/deal breaker for me, and now Nikon just released the D5300 with the D7100 sensor, and same MP rating, AND REMOVED THE AA FILTER. Third camera in the Nikon line with no AA filter.