M8 Problems might be Opportunities!

So far I don't see problems, but some huge opportunities!<p>

 

The cure to the M8 IR problem appears to be a specific IR filter such as the

B&W brand #486. I can live with that! Such sensitivity also opens the door to

interesting applications for deeper IR imaging. That's a very good thing,

IMHO. (If they would do the same for their SLR I would jump on the opportunity

to use IR to cut haze for very long lens work.)<p>

 

My day job includes coding digital imaging applications and I already have

some stand-alone code (droplets) that apply certain correction curves based

upon EXIF data or user input should the EXIF not exist. I would need some

scientific quality high-resolution samples of M8 images for specific lenses.

<i>And I am positive there are better programmers than I who are already

making such applications.</i> Adobe could jump on this opportunity to come up

with some slick scripts and plugins. Imagine how good it would be for Adobe to

be coupled to mentions of Leica's M8.<p>

 

<p>Also, if someone could get just one high-resolution picture of the lens

coding, and its dimensions we could cut stickers to put on our older lenses.

With the codes we can automate the application of adjustments based upon EXIF

data.<p>

Oh, FWIW, EXIF data can be added to existing images, or to DNG data.

 

So, for example if I were to shoot a lot of pictures with an uncoded lens, I could just batch the addition of data in the blink of an eye.

 

So far, I see no problems except noodling out just exactly what postprocessing needs to be done to accomodate specific lenses.

 

I truly hope that Leica isn't messing with the images in-camera before writing the DNG format. It would rather defeat the idea of RAW or DNG!

Just had a quick look at a DNG from:

 

http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/Leica_M8_review.html

 

in ExifTool. As it's a DNG, even my old version of ExifTool can read (and presumably write) many of the tags, including (e.g.) focal length and shutter speed.

 

I don't think coding stickers would work well - isn't the code on the surface of the lens mount, where the fit to the camera is very tight?

Not promising in software... Due to expanded spectral sensitivity, the sensor apparently

translates IR to visible magenta. Once sampled and out of the sensor, software can not

differentiate

genuine magenta objects from those that are black but misinterpreted as magenta. Kind of

like aliasing; once the damage is done, you (software) can't tell the real from the fake...

Brad you seem to know your stuff regarding these sensors, so if you can, answer a question that's been bugging me. All this talk about the magenta cast seems to have eclipsed the green reflections of bright lights and the streaks from bright lights. Those seem (to my reasonably intelligent but digitally-uninformed mind)like they could be related to the sensor and/or it's cover. So wouldn't it be likely that if those need to be changed to solve the ghosting and streaking, Leica might just as well change to a slightly stronger IR filter on the sensor at the same time? Kill all 3 birds at once, no silly front-filter band-aid.

<i>Not promising in software... Due to expanded spectral sensitivity, the sensor apparently translates IR to visible magenta. </i><p>

Good thought. Bummer.