Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Kodak Full Frame CCD in New Leica M9

Yahoo: Kodak full-frame KAF-18500 CCD was developed specifically for the newly announced LEICA M9, the latest member in Leica’s legendary M-series of cameras. 18MP KAF-18500 features offset microlenses to improve performance at the edges. In addition, the sensor incorporates a new IR-absorbing cover glass as well as a new red color pigment for improved color fidelity and improved image quality.

Update: Kodak's Plugged-In blog adds few details on the new CCD design trade-offs.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting choice of marketing tactic. After the Leica M8 IR debacle, I would have thought they would fix the problem silently in their next camera. That is, add an IR cut filter and not mention anything about it. Then they would not be calling attention to the M8 mistakes.

    Another possibility would have been to leave the IR problems in place and market it as a feature.

    It appears they've taken a combined approach: fix the IR problem and market the fix as a new "feature".

    Since other manufacturers fixed that problem a decade ago, I wonder what other old features Leica will "discover" and then market in the next camera. OLPF? Live view?

    I don't think I'll ever understand marketing.

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  2. Does anyone know the specifics the full spectrum [UV-vis-IR] of the Kodak KAF-18500 CCD [Leica M9]? I mean with IR/UV cut filter removed and replaced with Borofloat [pass everything] glass, typical in full-spectrum conversions of digital cameras for the purpose of shooting in UV or IR light.

    I am wondering if the Leica M9 would be a suitable camera for ultraviolet of infrared photography [with modifications to the CCD filter cover of course].

    Rumor has it that CCD sensors are more sensitive to UV light than CMOS. Any data on this would be hugely appreciated.

    Mark

    mark@phytelab.com

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