Hasselblad H3DIII-50MS with unique color detection

[Doug Kerr]

Hasselblad H3DII-50MS with unique color detection

Hasselblad has announced their H3DII-50MS camera, a "multi-shot" (MS) version of their their H3DII-50. It is a 50 Mpx machine using the unique color detection scheme first seen in 2008 in their H3DII-39MS camera (39 Mpx). This system provides a true tristimulus acquisition of the color of each pixel of the image.

The sensor assembly include a familiar color-filter array (CFA) using the well-known Bayer pattern. In its basic mode, the camera operates in the familiar way, with one image pixel per sensel being derived by "inference" (CFA interpolation).

But in its "MS" (multi-shot") mode, during each shot, the sensor assembly is shifted by piezoelectric transducers to four different positions, the shift in x- and y- directions being one sensel pitch.

Thus, each spot in the scene (a prospective pixel of the image) is regarded by sensels with red, blue, and (twice) green sensitivities. Thus, a true tristimulus ("three-color") indication of the color of each pixel is acquired.

The H3DII-39MS can operate with shutter speeds up to 1/800 sec, and a quick perusal of the spec sheet does not suggest this is compromised by the use of the "MS" mode. I have not yet seen the specifications of the H3DII-50MS.

The image size of the H3DII-39MS is 36.7 x 49.0 mm, and the sensel/pixel layout is 4512 x 7212.

The spec sheet on the H3DII-39MS can be found here:

http://www.hasselblad.co.uk/media/997168/uk_h3dii_ms39_datasheet_v3.pdf

The true tristimulus pickup of pixel color affords the prospect of freedom from demosaicing artifacts and in fact more faithful color representation of color detail.

At B&H, the price of the H3DII-50MS is $40k.

 

[Asher Kelman]

The sensor assembly include a familiar color-filter array (CFA) using the well-known Bayer pattern. In its basic mode, the camera operates in the familiar way, with one image pixel per sensel being derived by "inference" (CFA interpolation).

But in its "MS" (multi-shot") mode, during each shot, the sensor assembly is shifted by piezoelectric transducers to four different positions, the shift in x- and y- directions being one sensel pitch.

Hi Doug,

It's not a complex idea and one the face of it, could be done in photoshop. In fact, just taking 20 pictures without the mirror being raised and summing them and running a deblur filter might achieve the same thing!

Asher

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi Doug,

It's not a complex idea and one the face of it, could be done in photoshop.

Not from a single shot taken with a CFA camera.

In fact, just taking 20 pictures without the mirror being raised and summing them and running a deblur filter might achieve the same thing!

Without the mirror being raised? Wouldn't give any image.

Do you mean without the mirror being locked up?

Are your predicating that on a small random displacement between shots (as if this were done handheld, or with a "feeble" tripod)?

Then maybe so.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Doug Kerr]

Let's see, if the "MF genre" sensor size reference is "full frame 120", and we consider that to be 56 x 67 mm, that new Hassy has a 1.4 X sensor.

Doug

 

[Asher Kelman]

Doug,

Just remember for most cases we can zoom in on the object and devote more pixels to each unit area of subject, stitching if need be. So the silicon size of the Hassy is not critical.

Asher