A NEW EX1 first look

Eric Pascarelli · November 19th, 2007, 07:14 AM

Serena,

We are both saying the same thing.

But I just wanted to clarify that since the CoC spec is always given as a measurement on the sensor, it may be confusing to say the "same diameter of the circle of confusion" applies in both cases.

All in the effort to prevent a circle of confusion around this topic, for those who may have a more casual interest in DoF than we both clearly do!

Bob Grant · November 19th, 2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serena Steuart

Yes. But it's the circle on the screen that is the crucial issue, rather than on the sensor. DOF is determined by viewing conditions because the issue is whether or not a circle on the screen is perceived as a point. The larger the viewing angle the more critical the judgment. So Cc for 35mm got smaller as screens got larger, which wasn't related to film or lens resolutions. Obviously you can relate this back to the Cc on the sensor (the basis of DOF calculations) once you define the degree of magnification involved.

Isn't the CoC a result of the resolution through the whole process.
For example an image from a 2/3" SD camera would produce a larger CoC than one from a 2/3" HD sensor if they were both viewed at a large viewing angle. Conversely at a small enough viewing angle there'll be no difference in the CoC as our eyesight becomes the limiting factor.

From what I've noticed also the amount of EE in video cameras also creates a differently perceived DOF compared to film. With video the image appears sharp within a certain range and then 'snaps' out of focus ouside that range.

Eric Pascarelli · November 19th, 2007, 08:24 AM

Bob,

The CoC spec is an attempt to apply a number to the question "Does it look in focus to you?" There really isn't a threshold when things pop out of focus, just a threshold when they are perceived to be out of focus.

There are many factors that determine this. Even subject matter plays a huge role in this perception.

In 35mm film the sharpest standard generally used is .001" even though film resolution is considered to be four times as sharp as that.

The phenomenon you describe in video may exist to at the pixel level (never witnessed it myself) but generally defocusing is a gradual affair.

What you said is correct, but to rephrase it slightly, in most cases the acceptable CoC on an SD camera would be larger than the acceptable CoC on an HD camera. And the farther we get from the viewing screen, the more tolerant we are of a larger circle of confusion.

But other many factors come into play. Add some camera movement (with or without motion blur) and at larger viewing sizes I would bet you would want to see a more similar CoC spec between HD and SD.

November 19th, 2007, 08:24 AM	#18
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Bob, The CoC spec is an attempt to apply a number to the question "Does it look in focus to you?" There really isn't a threshold when things pop out of focus, just a threshold when they are perceived to be out of focus. There are many factors that determine this. Even subject matter plays a huge role in this perception. In 35mm film the sharpest standard generally used is .001" even though film resolution is considered to be four times as sharp as that. The phenomenon you describe in video may exist to at the pixel level (never witnessed it myself) but generally defocusing is a gradual affair. What you said is correct, but to rephrase it slightly, in most cases the acceptable CoC on an SD camera would be larger than the acceptable CoC on an HD camera. And the farther we get from the viewing screen, the more tolerant we are of a larger circle of confusion. But other many factors come into play. Add some camera movement (with or without motion blur) and at larger viewing sizes I would bet you would want to see a more similar CoC spec between HD and SD. Last edited by Eric Pascarelli; November 19th, 2007 at 01:14 PM.

November 19th, 2007, 07:14 AM	#16
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Serena, We are both saying the same thing. But I just wanted to clarify that since the CoC spec is always given as a measurement on the sensor, it may be confusing to say the "same diameter of the circle of confusion" applies in both cases. All in the effort to prevent a circle of confusion around this topic, for those who may have a more casual interest in DoF than we both clearly do!