Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

All digital cameras have had an anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor, the function of this being to slightly blur the image and avoid moire interference patterns in areas of fine detail. Consequently, we need to sharpen all digital images during the post processing, to some degree.

Now the Nikon D800E is on the market, a version of the D800 without the AA filter. This is said to give a marked increase in sharpness and resolution, with some risk of moire. This is shortly to be joined by the Pentax K-5 IIs, a version of the new K-5 II, again without the AA filter. The tiny Pentax Q already apparently has no AA filter, and certainly punches above its weight. The medium format Pentax 645D also has no AA filter.

So far I have seen no evidence of moire on the Q, and clearly both Nikon and Pentax are confident enough to make a special model. Maybe they could have done away with the standard version with AA filter, but no doubt a howl of protest would have erupted.

It may well be that as technology has advanced the need for an AA filter has reduced. It's an interesting trend. Does anyone have a D800E yet that they can share their experiences?

John I may stand corrected but do Digital backs for 'Blad's and the link have AA filters ? I know their mp count usually start around the 30 plus mark .. May this be somethign to do with the lack of aa filters for high MP counts ?

Like I sia dnot the greatest on the technical side of things.

Not sure Brian, will have to research that one.

It will be interesting to see the difference. Apart from occuring naturally when resizing an image, I have never sharpened an image, mainly because if I try, then I am never happy with it. If I have an anti-anti-alias (or an alias) camera, will I thn have to soften it.....?

Brian wrote: do Digital backs for 'Blad's and the link have AA filters ?

A quick search on Google for Hasselblad shows that apparently Hasselblads and most digital MF don't have AA filters.

More info - http://www.luminous-landscape.com/revie ... 800e.shtml

"Virtually all medium format digital backs do not have AA filters. Neither do Leica M8, M9 and S2 cameras, or the Pentax 645D (optional). Neither does the new Fuji X1 Pro or any Foveon sensor based cameras."

Thanks paul, it looks as though one day it may become the norm.

Yeah thanks Paul .. makes you wonder if we will ever fall into the bracket of judges being used to slightly "soft" images stating that ones on d800's and the like being "OVER SHARP" :S