Jack:
I enjoyed reading your findings and observations between the variuos backs. I just wanted to point out a few details that need to be understood when one attempts to make this comparison both visually and in printing that I have discovered during this process.
First, each chip sees color a little differently as we have seen. Each chip has a default ICC camera profile that is automatically loaded when you open a Phase One file in Capture One software. This ICC camera profile is the recipe for the color and contrast that is going to be rendered when the original image comes into Capture One. That being said you can slide the white balance, contrast and exposure before you process the images to get them closer to each other. But as we see one file may show more saturated reds than the other files. One file may show more punch due to the contrast being a little steeper. One file may show more DR than another file due to the camera profile being applied. Once again each chip sees color differently and each chips has a different profile.
Color Editor is a very powerful tool that will allow you to tweak each profile and get them closer. But in the end we really only want the camera we use to have what we perceive as the best color and range.
My very brief testing of the new Phase One P65+ also showed that the files were a little different color and contrast due to the different camera profiles being use. I have always been a firm believer that I should use the profile that was designed for the chip being used and then make changes to it if I want to modify the way my camera is seeing color based on the camera profile being loaded in Capture One or Capture 4. Sure you could select the same camera profile for all three images but my experience has been that the color gets a little weird. The shadows may shift and have a color cast when using a profile from say a P25+ on a P65+ Raw file.
On many occasions I have been asked by people who were testing new cameras and of course comparing them to their old camera that they have built much of their confidence and trust on, why does each camera not match in color when tested side by side on the same camera body and lens? With this high end level of color we are seeing captured from most MF digital backs, we notice that one looks different than the other. And that's okay.
I truly feel we are just scrapping the surface on the quality and color levels of these new technologies.
And good observations on the pixels size and ability to see morie or not to see morie. There is not doubt that the P25+ still produces a great image and one with great range, color, and contrast. But when challenged by textiles such as clothes and fabrics or printed materials, the smaller pixels wins hands down by eliminating most of it up front before the workflow starts. There are many factors that help dictate what digital back is best suited for one's specific application. And output size is one of the main factors.
Subject matter also plays a big role. If I take a picture of a purse and it fills the frame, that image may be just a good on either of the MP backs. But when I have a picture of a model holding a purse, you really start to appreciate the fine detail that the bigger MP backs can resolve.
Optics also play a very important role here. But as Guy has just posted a shot with the P25+ and 55mm Mamiya lens($500) has great detail and edge sharpness. Now the real question is, if the new 45mm D Lens resolves detail from edge to edge as well as the 80mm and 150mm D Sekors do, we are in for a real treat.
Just wanted to share this because I think it has a lot to do with how we perceive the color and dynamic range of new products and I really feel that the camera profile is controlling much of this. On the other hand I still feel like many do that Capture One and Capture 4 produce a better rendered image so use the profile you like the best that is recommended for your chip.
Good work.
Chris Snipes
Image Production, Inc
Phase One Resller
Phase One Test Studio
www.imageproduction.com
[email protected]
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