GEAR TALK - LIFE WITH A PHASE ONE P25
Entry #8: Comparing the Phase One P25 files to a Canon 5D - Part III
MEDIUM FORMAT VERSUS CANON 5D PART III
Today’s entry brings a 3-way comparison of the Canon 5D, Canon 1Ds Mark II and Phase One P25. Looking at the previous Canon 5D and Phase One P25 images, it is a difficult to tell if the P25 images look better because the files are fundamentally better, or if the difference is the added pixels in the P25 images. After looking at hundreds of P25 and 5D images, there are some trends:
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•The P25 images have more snap, pop, crispness... This is very clear on product shots, but with landscapes the differences are not as profound. In some case the 5D images looked more pleasing when the images are scaled to the same size. The 100% P25 crop will always overpower the 100% 5D crop based upon the volume of detail.
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•The colors on the 5D (and 1Ds Mark II) look “mushy” where as the P25 images have added clarity and definition. A Canon image can be sharpened such that the edges and details look sharp, but the color information looks smudged, blurred, smeared, etc.
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•The Phase One P25 wins the dynamic range comparison; however, the added dynamic range lives in the shadows. Shadows are very clean and the levels can boosted be in post processing with little or no noise penalty. On the flip side the P25 will blow highlights (such as clouds) just as easily on a dSLR. With the P25 the exposure can be reduced slightly to hold the highlights, then the images rebalanced in post processing to bring the mid and lower tones. In the end the P25 will capture more dynamic range, but you have to post process the image to realize the benefits. The 1Ds2 and 5D images can be managed in the same way, but the there will be more shadow noise.
Trying to figure out how much of the medium format “wow factor” is due to pixel count vs file quality is a difficult to answer. The 1Ds Mark II has ~2/3 to 1 stop more dynamic range compared to the 5D, so the dynamic range comparisons should be more interesting between the 1Ds2 and P25. The goal in these images is to normalize the field of view. The tripod and subject did not move. The Canon 50mm L F1.0 was used for the 1Ds2 and 5D; the Mamiya 80mm F2.8 AF with a 12mm extension tube for the AFDII/P25 set-up. The Mamiya needed the 12mm tube to reduce the minimum focus distance.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Canon 5D & 50mm L F1.0 @ F8 ISO 100
Canon 1Ds2 & 50mm L F1.0 @ F8 ISO 100
The 1Ds Mark II sits higher due to the built-in vertical grip, so its perspective is slightly different. Overall this test is still flawed because the P25 maintains a pixel count advantage. I also think the Mamiya 80mm lens is a sharper lens than the Canon 50mm L F1. For a direct pixel to pixel comparison, the same lens should be used for all three images with no change in subject or tripod placement.
BORED WITH TESTING
The last four entries of gear testing is dull content. Some real images would spice things up, but it is impossible to capture identical images with two totally different systems. Taking a step back from the pluses, minuses and mundane testing, I see a different perspective. The best system is the one which leads to taking the best pictures. There are two key words - "System" and “Best”.
The Mamiya 645 AFD II & Phase One P25 cost around $13-$15k in the secondhand market. The same budget buys a 1Ds3 and nice lenses. A dSLR system can go more places more easily. Factor in the fast lenses and high ISO capabilities, and dSLR addresses a wider range of conditions. The question is simple - would you rather have a digital back or an array of lenses? Which will help you net the pictures you want?
“Best” is very important - what does “best” mean? Does it mean the highest file quality, or does it mean composition and light? A lousy file can still be a great picture. This is the trap I have fallen into. Over the past several years I have some pictures I really like. The next thought was, “if this file were a bit better...” In the search for higher file quality, many of the features needed (for me) to get the picture were compromised for the sake of getting a bigger, more expensive sensor. The Phase One P25 brings a higher level of file quality, but can I actually capture the image with the Mamiya 645AFD II? A catch-22 of sorts...
The Phase One P25 files have redefined my benchmark for what a high quality file should look like. The Canon 5D and Canon 1Ds Mark II do not compare. When downsized and processed the playing field levels a bit; however, when viewing the RAW files the differences are clear. On the hand seeing the P25 images at 100% and realizing they are out of focus is frustrating. What could have been a nice shot ends up being a deleted file. There are many trade-offs and compromises here...
