What do you think will be the next great leap in photography technology?

[irishman]

I've got to believe that it can't be too much longer before we see in-camera HDR imaging. Your thoughts?

[The Hardcard]

That would be a safe bet.

[bad karma]

Hologram/3d photography

[Tsmith]

or just a sensor that would give us more dynamic range to work with while preserving both shadows and highlights.

[The Hardcard]

I wanted to make sure I got the quote correctly, so I tracked it down. While important steps have been made in low light capabilities, in my opinion, they pale compared to Chuck Westfall's statement in the June 2006 PC Photo:

We’re increasingly seeing improvement in the manufacturing of sensors. Right now, we’re looking at a native ISO sensitivity of 100 to 200, but that could move up to 6400 and higher very quickly. When that happens, it will make a big difference in a photographer’s ability to create images under low light.

Sensor with native ISO 6400 would be a revolution in photography. If such cameras could maintain the luminance and chroma integrity of today's sensors at ISO 100.

[JS4KIKZ]

or just a sensor that would give us more dynamic range to work with while preserving both shadows and highlights.


Wouldn't that require the camera to be able to accept multiple exposure data beyond the current f-stop, aperture, and ISO settings you would be using?

[cosworth]

DOF calculator/display and/or a focal length rule being broken warning buzzer. Much brighter focua point illumination could help. You see it in P&S clear as day yet many in the DSLR world miss it.

That could stop about 10 million lenses being returned or sent for service per year.

Essentially the breakthrough should come in usability for the newer shooters. Get some real people writing a manual. Or maybe 2 of them. One for technical one for shooting tips.

[danpass]

or just a sensor that would give us more dynamic range to work with while preserving both shadows and highlights.


A medium format sensor in a 1D body would be nice.


.

[Trainboy]

An HDR feature would be potentially awesome, but then there would be even more of them, which isn't good!

[cosworth]

A medium format sensor in a 1D body would be nice.


.

and physically impossible unfortunately.

[hotrod1935]

All digital cameras be full frame:wink:

[danpass]

What would it really take to do in-camera HDR?

Obviously the sensor can catch it with exposure compensation. What is so difficult about doing that shift over and above (and below) in one shot so you don't have to flip the dial?

Obviously you're just shifting the range right now when exposure compensating. But come on Canon! :mrgreen:

[gjl711]

Why HDR, HDR is a technique to expand the limited dynamic range of todays sensor. A better bet is improve the dynamic range negating the need to HDR.

But my guess is that it is time for a new sensor. I think we have about tapped out what CMOS technology and the Bayer pattern can give us. It's time for something new. Foveon is trying something but that technology will never take off unless they dump the licensing and sell the technology to everyone but something along those lines.

Maybe it's time for these bio-chips to take off. Motorola has their new display based on bio-technology. Maybe they could turn that around and make a sensor that works like the human eye further upping the pixel count and resolving power and reducing the noise.

[danpass]

and physically impossible unfortunately.


I guess. Those Hasselblad backs are pretty big lol


.

[prime80]

Dynamic range and high ISO noise are still significant obstacles to many shooting situations...I think that is where the most resources should be focused. AF accuracy should be next in line.

[roli_bark]

Post-shot Focus adjustment.

Chuck Westfall had mentioned this innovative technology which Canon is working on since 2 years ago !

[jonnythan]

HDR doesn't really expand the range of the sensor. It compresses a wide range of exposure data. I dunno if/when we'll ever see that in a camera.

[gjl711]

It's interesting how many want bigger and bigger. Am I the only one looking to get smaller. I hate, absolutely hate, dragging around huge heavy bags. It is so old school and I have been doing it for 30 years and am tired of it. I would rather see the noise problem solved completly so that we can have 1DsMkIII technology in a package that will fit in a pocket. Don't give me bigger sensors, give me smaller sensors that have the characteristics of bigger ones.

[danpass]

Maybe it's time for these bio-chips to take off. Motorola has their new display based on bio-technology. Maybe they could turn that around and make a sensor that works like the human eye further upping the pixel count and resolving power and reducing the noise.


Bio-nueral circuitry.










oh, wait, that's 24th century technology on the USS Voyager.
:p

.

[Trainboy]

Bio-nueral circuitry.










oh, wait, that's 24th century technology on the USS Voyager.
:p

.
Ya beat me to it, yew arse!

[prime80]

One thing I forgot to add was the hope that either a new shutter design or a move to an electronic shutter allows for significantly higher flash sync speeds. I see no reason why we shouldn't expect at least 1/1000s sync speed.

[danpass]

Ya beat me to it, yew arse!


Temporal Prime Directive!



.

[EspenW]

It's interesting how many want bigger and bigger. Am I the only one looking to get smaller. I hate, absolutely hate, dragging around huge heavy bags. It is so old school and I have been doing it for 30 years and am tired of it. I would rather see the noise problem solved completly so that we can have 1DsMkIII technology in a package that will fit in a pocket. Don't give me bigger sensors, give me smaller sensors that have the characteristics of bigger ones.


Exactly!


e

[Trainboy]

In-camera HDR?
http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9864843-39.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

[bad karma]

Entry level SLR's handling ISO 1600 like ISO 100

*dreams*

[I Simonius]

I've got to believe that it can't be too much longer before we see in-camera HDR imaging. Your thoughts?

Gotta be DR. (HDR by another name)
The resolution has gone far enough (21MP is enough IMO) we don't want ot have to do HDR we want really cool wide DR (and 16bit obviously) but there you are I think the next big leap wil, be in DR

[gpx4]

Auto composition!

The camera rotates 360 degrees to correct your composition.

[gjl711]

Gotta be DR. (HDR by another name)... HDR really isn't a big step forward. I mean it's here today. Adding a few more bits in really isn't a major advancement.

[I Simonius]

HDR really isn't a big step forward. I mean it's here today. Adding a few more bits in really isn't a major advancement.

If a sensor could encompass a wider DR , say 20 stops, I reckon that's a major advancemnet!

[_aravena]

Any one see that lens thing with Adobe. Bug eye lens effect where you can blur what you want, focus what you want, move images around, etc.

[I Simonius]

Any one see that lens thing with Adobe. Bug eye lens effect where you can blur what you want, focus what you want, move images around, etc.

no... do tell more...?

[_aravena]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/3d-magic/adobe-tinkering-with-3d-image-manipulation-using-camera-and-software-%5Bupdated-with-video%5D-308659.php

[I Simonius]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/3d-magic/adobe-tinkering-with-3d-image-manipulation-using-camera-and-software-%5Bupdated-with-video%5D-308659.php

rivetting stuff!

Future - here e come!

Damn it's jsyt gone over 5000 posts - I wanted to savour the moment...:lol:

[gjl711]

..I wanted to savour the moment...:lol:So whats it taste like. ;)

[I Simonius]

So whats it taste like. ;)

too rude to mention:o
;)

[spear]

Everyone will get what they want and more. It is actually quite simple ... sensors will get higher ISO since that is directly related to sensors using smaller transistors and thus being more sensitive. Today's 200 ISO sensor will be 3200 ISO or even 6400 ISO. Once that happens, all sort of things can happen ... for example on many HDR pictures you can only get good dynamic range on static objects, since any movement with "ghost". If you can go with a high native ISO then frame rates such as 1000/sec or even 2000/sec could be possible. You could shoot off a whole bunch of pictures with different speeds in less than a fraction of a second. Already 6 fps is on standard SLR's ... imagine in 10 years or so.

So yes the future is higher dynamic range and it will come because we will have higher native ISO and faster fps. Also nice crisp shots with almost no light will be possible ... the future looks really good. BUT I WANT IT NOW !!!

[Mike V]

On-chip HDR is coming within the next couple of years to high end video cameras.

See this sensor:

http://www.panavisionsvi.com/imagers_DMAX.htm

Eventually it will make it's way to stills cameras.

Someone just has to pay the licencing fee (i.e. it's patented).

[fumanchewable]

vastly increased dynamic range, noise free ISO 6400, removeable LCD screens which then function as remote controls w/ live view. you will be able to stand 15 feet from your camera and still receive live view, and be able to control the shutter and aperture.

[Brianbar]

I've got to believe that it can't be too much longer before we see in-camera HDR imaging. Your thoughts?

Would that not take away some of the enjoyment of doing things for our self on the computer?

Brian

[NickSimcheck]

I also see Dynamic Range as the #1 realistic improvement for the future. #2 would be noise/ISO.

For example imagine having a low noise ISO 204,800 (I know I know, but we also thought 256MB was a lot of RAM 15 years ago) you could shoot most images at 1/1000sec f/whatever and overexpose the heck out of them. Then with your 20-30 stop dynamic range adjust the exposure in post to exactly how you want it. Really the only thing that would matter at that point is what f/stop you want for the DOF and if you want to drag the shutter for motion blur. Exposure would not be a factor.

I think a higher shutter sync would be nice, and not that hard to do. Also WHY does Canon not have a decent flash system? I want RF control of 4 slaves. It's easy, just do it already Canon. The SB-900 has a zoom range of like 17mm-200mm and the 580EX has 24 to 125 I think? So yeah, give us a super beamed 100' flash while you're at it.

Movabe LCD screens I'm sure will be part of the next gen, but it doesn't mean much to me as I'm not a fan of liveview. However if they did as Fumanchewable said and made it a removable LCD with controls then it would be pretty neat.


The new super high speed CF cards they are talking about could open up a whole new ballgame.

Who says 30 FPS isn't possible?

Then once we have 30 FPS then we get into movies. Which I know most of you don't like the idea BUT think about this, people pay huge money (10-15K for a good one) for 35mm adaptors for their cams cause even the 1/3" or 1/2.7" sensor stuff like Canon/Sony don't have the DOF that a 35mm lens can give you. So if it's done right those people can buy a 1 series for less then an adaptor which means more sales for Canon which would mean a low price for us.


Imagine full 1080i with the DOF of 35mm. That is a videographer's dream.

[NickSimcheck]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0806/08062001sonyhvlf58am.asp


This is what I mean with improving their (Canon's) flash system. This Sony will sync up to 1/4000 sec.

[danielyamseng]

an idiot proof DSLR:)

[Trainboy]

an idiot proof DSLR:)
As long as lens caps exist, that is not possible.

[NickSimcheck]

As long as lens caps exist, that is not possible.


Idiot proof cameras will come with clear lens caps. :lol:

[FlyingPhotog]

I hope they come with "Speculation Squelch" ;)

[danielyamseng]

embedded camera to our head:)

[2.8orfaster]

Post-shot Focus adjustment.

Chuck Westfall had mentioned this innovative technology which Canon is working on since 2 years ago !


Yup, your absolutely right on that one roli. I can't wait for this one!

[Jpatten]

There will be a limit to the amount of noise reduction / ISO that can be achieved.
If I am right, astronomical CCD's, high-end ones, cryogenically cool the sensor so as to reduce noise as far as possible and get single photon sensitivity (or try to get it ). Currently at some point, you are going to hit a signal / noise ratio that you can't get past because your sensor isn't sitting at absolute zero and heat is causing your noise.

[NickSimcheck]

There will be a limit to the amount of noise reduction / ISO that can be achieved.
If I am right, astronomical CCD's, high-end ones, cryogenically cool the sensor so as to reduce noise as far as possible and get single photon sensitivity (or try to get it ). Currently at some point, you are going to hit a signal / noise ratio that you can't get past because your sensor isn't sitting at absolute zero and heat is causing your noise.


I'll shoot at the south pole if I have to, who's going with me?

[Jpatten]

I'll shoot at the south pole if I have to, who's going with me?

Better yet.. soak your camera in Liquid nitrogen first? might want to wear gloves!

[M_ark]

Idiot proof cameras will come with clear lens caps. :lol:

which results in burnt out sensors where the cam is left in direct (facing) sunlight :|

[Trainboy]

Better yet.. soak your camera in Liquid nitrogen first? might want to wear gloves!
Being from Georgia, I forgive you for not understanding the effect that cold has on battery life.
New from Canon, a low-noise sensation! Just dip it in liquid nitrogen before every shot!
Note: Battery life is ten seconds. :confused:

[opus13]

Then once we have 30 FPS then we get into movies. Which I know most of you don't like the idea BUT think about this, people pay huge money (10-15K for a good one) for 35mm adaptors for their cams cause even the 1/3" or 1/2.7" sensor stuff like Canon/Sony don't have the DOF that a 35mm lens can give you. So if it's done right those people can buy a 1 series for less then an adaptor which means more sales for Canon which would mean a low price for us.


Imagine full 1080i with the DOF of 35mm. That is a videographer's dream.
1080i? 35mm? aim higher (http://www.red.com/cameras)

[debonaire]

A sensor with the ability to have adaptive/dynamic ISO which would be calculated from the AF points of the camera.

[debonaire]

A sensor with the ability to have adaptive/dynamic ISO which would be calculated from the AF points of the camera.
Now when I read this, I see I need to clarify my idea more.

What I mean by adaptive/dynamic ISO is not a single ISO for the entire sensor, but a variant ISO across the sensor.

Depending upon the AF readings, sections of the sensor will have different ISO states.

[gjl711]

Now when I read this, I see I need to clarify my idea more.

What I mean by adaptive/dynamic ISO is not a single ISO for the entire sensor, but a variant ISO across the sensor.

Depending upon the AF readings, sections of the sensor will have different ISO states.
Yikes, so dark areas of the pic get a higher ISO making them brighter and bright areas get a lower ISO making them darker. Won’t you just end up with a dynamic range of 1 stop? Or worse yet the entire frame will be a neutral gray.

[debonaire]

Yikes, so dark areas of the pic get a higher ISO making them brighter and bright areas get a lower ISO making them darker. Won’t you just end up with a dynamic range of 1 stop? Or worse yet the entire frame will be a neutral gray.

Hey, I JUST took this picture with my futuristic camera with this sensor!! ;)

[strobe monkey]

Waterproof and shockproof DSLR's with built in GPS, 5-inch screen, MP3 player, Radio and TV.

[debonaire]

Yikes, so dark areas of the pic get a higher ISO making them brighter and bright areas get a lower ISO making them darker. Won’t you just end up with a dynamic range of 1 stop? Or worse yet the entire frame will be a neutral gray.

hmmmm...
from www.canonrumors.com ? ? ?
:p
Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 07:54 AM - Canon 5 Mark II
Evolution
This one people thought it could be a 1d body. It's not... it's the next 5D

http://www.canon.com/moon/en/index.html (http://www.canon.com/moon/en/index.html)

From the world of "Say What?"
This is a quote from an email I received.

"I've been told that Canon has a new "miracle sensor" coming that has the ability to sense the proper ISO needed for several "zones" within a photo at once. IE, the bright sky will get ISO 50, while the shaded area under the brim of a person's hat may get ISO 400....all automatically to allow the entire image to be correctly exposed. Something similar to in-camera, one-frame only HDR results.

This tip was free...so take it for what you paid for it!"

Thanks for the email, it's an interesting concept.

Additional Credit:
Also from [NL] Aug 27. (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_5d2_3d_7d.html)


Of course....
It's just a rumor! ;)

[strobe monkey]

I've read somewhere that Canon is working on embedding a photographer's iris onto pictures taken thereby automatically and digitally embedding copyright of the picture. This is cool.

[debonaire]

I've read somewhere that Canon is working on embedding a photographer's iris onto pictures taken thereby automatically and digitally embedding copyright of the picture. This is cool.

hmmm...
It's feasable (well...maybe not the actual iris! ;) but an image like a fingerprint basically), but I'm not sure if I like the idea.:shock:

[strobe monkey]

I've read somewhere that Canon is working on embedding a photographer's iris onto pictures taken thereby automatically and digitally embedding copyright of the picture. This is cool.


Here is the article. (http://www.photographybay.com/2008/02/09/canon-iris-registration-watermark/)

[Big Sam]

id like to see camera companies make some ergonomic changes to their lineup, i reckon instead of having a button, the shutter should be activated by giving the grip a squeeze, this would leave the shutter button free to fulfil some other use.

An interchangeable revolving lens magazine would be cool.

A nice feature would be the ability to apply "actions" in camera, users could write their own and upload them for others to use, essentially it would be an elaborate version of the custom picture styles feature which , lets face it, is a bit rubbish, has anyone here ever used purple toning? It would be nice to be able to switch from a high contrast sepia, to a holga, to velvia and so on,

[Canuck]

An interchangeable revolving lens magazine would be cool.


This would give spray and pray a whole new meaning!! :lol: :rolleyes:

[danielyamseng]

real eye focusing

[strobe monkey]

Built-in digital TV

[alyson]

how about a photo editing software which is voice activated?

[ROCKFISHER]

Id like to see the internal sensor filter capable of switching between visible and infra red capability,that would be great and save having to mod a standard camera.Also thermal imaging built in to a standard top end dslr!!

[strobe monkey]

Built-in photo filters like ND grads... that would be cool.

[fdw]

I've got to believe that it can't be too much longer before we see in-camera HDR imaging. Your thoughts?

I agree completely.

[gjl711]

I've got to believe that it can't be too much longer before we see in-camera HDR imaging. Your thoughts?

I agree completely.I was poking around and it seems that it's already available. Both Pentax and Fuji offer in camera HDR.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/pentaxhdr/
http://blog.eyesopen.co.uk/?p=231

There might be more. Looks like both Canon and Nikon missed this boat.

[mikekelley]

Built in HDR is not a good thing :lol:

As if we don't have enough mediocre/poor HDRs floating around.

How about redesigned ergonomics...the right-hand grip could be tilted 45 degrees backward. Keep your wrists in a natural position and bend them at the elbow...the kinked wrist that we've been using forever to shoot is so unnatural. I think if there was a camera grip that was slanted to hold the wrist in a more natural position, we'd be able to A. reduce vibration from awkwardly handholding and B. be more comfortable.

[2.8orfaster]

I don't know if anyone has said this yet, but eventually our sensors will be constructed of man made diamonds, instead of silicone. 5X less heat.

[Mark II]

I'd like to see auto focus on the dslr video.

A waterproof dslr capable of 300' depths would kick it in the nads too.

[Trainboy]

I'd like to see auto focus on the dslr video.

A waterproof dslr capable of 300' depths would kick it in the nads too.
-cough- sony -cough-

[gcflora]

Bugger HDR ;)

Built in GND where a section of the sensor above a user-defined line is "switched off" or accumulates data more slowly for a specified period of time and then begins gathering image data at the appropriate time. Could make hard and soft user choose-able as well

[cccc]

Bugger HDR ;)

Built in GND where a section of the sensor above a user-defined line is "switched off" or accumulates data more slowly for a specified period of time and then begins gathering image data at the appropriate time. Could make hard and soft user choose-able as well

This would be nice. You could take a sample picture and use it as template for the blown areas. Kind of like a mask in PS?

[erickboileau]

or just a sensor that would give us more dynamic range to work with while preserving both shadows and highlights.

it will be good

[mladams]

Actually transistors getting smaller may not be a great thing to sensors. Smaller transistors actually have higher resistance which causes more heat. I think it's correct to say that we will hit a limit as far a dynamic range. It's just like PC processor technology. There's only so small you can go. And we've hit the wall as far as speed goes. Unless optical computing takes off we're not going above 5 Ghz. As far as man made diamonds. Yeah, diamonds are great for processor technology, fast an cool, but making man made diamonds is a) very hard to do, and b) good luck finding someone who can and will do it. There are many good reasons why even those who can do it won't do it. That and the technology isn't all there yet. I think of imaging technology a lot like processor technology, just cause we've moved fast to the point we're at now doesn't mean we'll keep progressing that fast forever. We'll improve something cause that's what we do, I just wouldn't expect us to keep going at the rate we have. At some point you reach a limit.

[Purple Puppy]

Actually transistors getting smaller may not be a great thing to sensors. Smaller transistors actually have higher resistance which causes more heat. I think it's correct to say that we will hit a limit as far a dynamic range. It's just like PC processor technology. There's only so small you can go. And we've hit the wall as far as speed goes. Unless optical computing takes off we're not going above 5 Ghz. As far as man made diamonds. Yeah, diamonds are great for processor technology, fast an cool, but making man made diamonds is a) very hard to do, and b) good luck finding someone who can and will do it. There are many good reasons why even those who can do it won't do it. That and the technology isn't all there yet. I think of imaging technology a lot like processor technology, just cause we've moved fast to the point we're at now doesn't mean we'll keep progressing that fast forever. We'll improve something cause that's what we do, I just wouldn't expect us to keep going at the rate we have. At some point you reach a limit.

Yes, processor clock speed has hit a wall, but processors are still getting exponentially faster despite not increasing in clock speed. (I'm sure everyone knows that clock speed does not correlate well with processing power when comparing across different architectures)

With new architectures, processors can execute many times the number of instructions within a single clock cycle.

Things will always get exponentially better, except that at different points in time, things will get exponentially better using different methods. As such, I think that we have NOT hit a wall with dynamic range.

[gcflora]

Yes, processor clock speed has hit a wall, but processors are still getting exponentially faster despite not increasing in clock speed. (I'm sure everyone knows that clock speed does not correlate well with processing power when comparing across different architectures)

With new architectures, processors can execute many times the number of instructions within a single clock cycle.

Things will always get exponentially better, except that at different points in time, things will get exponentially better using different methods. As such, I think that we have NOT hit a wall with dynamic range.

The things that processors do (branch prediction, parallelism based on the branch predictions, pipelining, etc, etc, etc) that speed things up is truly amazing

[OregonRebel]

How about curved sensors, more like what your eye sees?

[hsmoscout]

Sensor with native ISO 6400 would be a revolution in photography.
Apparently not

Imagine full 1080i with the DOF of 35mm. That is a videographer's dream.

Some of the predictions of 2 years ago are pretty amusing

[irishman]

As the OP, glad to see mine came true!

[Lowner]

A total rethink in sensor design and manufacture. This is a presently a major stumbling block. Maybe a colour and light senstive emulsion with a simple electronic matrix behind it, sort of an electronic equivilent to film. Its been suggested as viable for simple/cheap cameras already and I can foresee the development progressing rapidly.

[Chippy569]

Tbqh I think Sony has released one of the significant new techs -- their A55 camera has what the marketing calls "translucent mirror" instead of the SLR. Basically there is a semitransparent mirror in front of the mirror. Most light goes through it, but that which is reflected goes to the autofocus. The can uses an instantaneous LED viewfinder.

Reviews say it's a bit clunky and busy and has some GUI issues, but when that's all sorted I think Sony will be on top ofthe next big technological development.

[Trainboy]

It's called a Pellicle mirror, and Canon already tried it.

[gjl711]

It's called a Pellicle mirror, and Canon already tried it.As have others way back in the 60s. Not really new technology.

[robojack]

It's called a Pellicle mirror, and Canon already tried it.
Any reason why Canon shouldn't try it again? You guys are all making it sound like defective technology, but Sony has been able to implement it pretty well in their latest body.

[gjl711]

Any reason why Canon shouldn't try it again? You guys are all making it sound like defective technology, but Sony has been able to implement it pretty well in their latest body.It seems like interim step towards something new but not what i would consider a great leap forward. The mirror is there only to provide AF. You are sacrificing %33 of the cameras ability to gather light just so you can have AF in video mode. I applaud Sony for the removal of the shutter and viewfinder, but the mirror and separate AF detector have to go as well. Once they figure out how to use the image sensor for both image capture and AF, then you've taken a step forward.

[Chippy569]

It seems like interim step towards something new but not what i would consider a great leap forward. The mirror is there only to provide AF. You are sacrificing %33 of the cameras ability to gather light just so you can have AF in video mode. I applaud Sony for the removal of the shutter and viewfinder, but the mirror and separate AF detector have to go as well. Once they figure out how to use the image sensor for both image capture and AF, then you've taken a step forward.

Agreed... should be fun when that comes around.

[workerdrone]

we've got face detection, how about eye detection for effortlessly nailing focus on those portraits with the really fast, wide open lenses

built in wi-fi for:
instant upload of images to your pc or your cloud storage when in range,
or wireless tethered shooting with your smartphone or tablet pc controlling,
or locating stolen equipment?

built in gps for geocoding all images,

in-camera watermarking

set focus points by tracking the shooter's eye movement

[gjl711]

we've got face detection, how about eye detection for effortlessly nailing focus on those portraits with the really fast, wide open lensesThat's why someone needs to come up with a fast way to use the image sensor to focus. As long as we stay married to today's technology where there are three separate light paths, one for image capture, a different one for auto focus, and a third one for viewfinder display, there are just too many sources of error.

[Joris]

You are sacrificing %33 of the cameras ability to gather light just so you can have AF in video mode. I applaud Sony for the removal of the shutter and viewfinder, but the mirror and separate AF detector have to go as well. Once they figure out how to use the image sensor for both image capture and AF, then you've taken a step forward.
They got rid of the moving mirror thingy and the optical viewfinder (as it's still using an electronic viewfinder), but there's still a conventional shutter in there...:)

I agree that really fast on-sensor phase detection AF would be nice though. I've heard of it quite recently, but I can't remember which company was working on it. Maybe Sony is/was - could be the reason why they've been working on their A700 replacement for so long :p. I mean, by the time that camera will be announced, the A700 will be like four years old.

[Victor Ruiz]

A really high quality digital camera with the shape of a Film Roll that fits in that old Manual analog Cameras and takes pictures by the sense of the light coming from the analog camera as Film does...

[ImSwedish]

A really high quality digital camera with the shape of a Film Roll that fits in that old Manual analog Cameras and takes pictures by the sense of the light coming from the analog camera as Film does...

That would be amazingly awesome. 35mm and 120 format, would buy it no doubt.
I reckon the next big thing will be as has been said here, more dynamic range.
Or as the trend shows right now, the average amount of megapixels in a camera will jump from 14-16 to 40. With the more pro cameras having 100-200.

Built-in GPS does exist in some cameras but it would be nice to see it more often.

[gjl711]

A really high quality digital camera with the shape of a Film Roll that fits in that old Manual analog Cameras and takes pictures by the sense of the light coming from the analog camera as Film does...
We have that today. Checkout the hasselblad (http://www.hasselbladusa.com/products/h-system.aspx)cameras. You can use either a film back or a digital back. Because of the sensor size though, it doesn't come cheap.

[ImSwedish]

We have that today. Checkout the hasselblad (http://www.hasselbladusa.com/products/h-system.aspx)cameras. You can use either a film back or a digital back. Because of the sensor size though, it doesn't come cheap.

That's not really what he meant though. A normal looking film roll that you can put into any camera that takes that format. So you can use your old lovely film camera with digital "film" instead of having to buy a Hasselblad and a digital back to it.

Found this by the way, http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?WO=2006129331

It seems like it might actually become a reality. How nice.

[woos]

Yes, processor clock speed has hit a wall, but processors are still getting exponentially faster despite not increasing in clock speed. (I'm sure everyone knows that clock speed does not correlate well with processing power when comparing across different architectures)

With new architectures, processors can execute many times the number of instructions within a single clock cycle.

Things will always get exponentially better, except that at different points in time, things will get exponentially better using different methods. As such, I think that we have NOT hit a wall with dynamic range.

Yeah, clock speeds are going back up again though :). Many sandy bridge chips have no problems hitting 5ghz on a nice air cooler even. 5ghz+ is easy on water, and it wasn't 2 years ago, 4ghz was the norm. I bet Ivy Bridge will have no problems hittin 5 ^_^---but I could be wrong.

[Katalyst]

That's not really what he meant though. A normal looking film roll that you can put into any camera that takes that format. So you can use your old lovely film camera with digital "film" instead of having to buy a Hasselblad and a digital back to it.

Found this by the way, http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?WO=2006129331

It seems like it might actually become a reality. How nice.


As far as I know, there is already a company that will sell them within a short while!
God forbid I forgot what the name was, but I'm sure you'll come across! ;)

[tkbslc]

I keep hoping someone comes out with talent and inspiration pills. I really don't think the photo equipment technology today (which is amazing) is holding anyone back.

[FlyingPhotog]

I keep hoping someone comes out with talent and inspiration pills. I really don't think the photo equipment technology today (which is amazing) is holding anyone back.

bw!

[tmwag]

I keep hoping someone comes out with talent and inspiration pills

Have you tried prozac;)

[GrendelKhan]

Cup holders....wait, that was Detroit.

I think there's a lot of the technology already out there. GPS labeling, face recognition, auto tagging, auto posting, etc. It's just got to get quicker, easier, cheaper....which it will.

[tkbslc]

Cup holders....wait, that was Detroit.

I think there's a lot of the technology already out there. GPS labeling, face recognition, auto tagging, auto posting, etc. It's just got to get quicker, easier, cheaper....which it will.

None of that is really photography, though, just indexing tools.

[GrendelKhan]

None of that is really photography, though, just indexing tools.

Okay, how about predictive focusing. I catch my son playing soccer and the focus follows him as he runs through a crowd. Or I tag a car, bird, dog in a position where differentiation is easy then follow them through a group or into a background where image differentiation is harder (a black car from a grass background into heavy traffic). That's just processing power - something cameras should be able to handle - if not now then soon.

[gjl711]

Okay, how about predictive focusing. I catch my son playing soccer and the focus follows him as he runs through a crowd. Or I tag a car, bird, dog in a position where differentiation is easy then follow them through a group or into a background where image differentiation is harder (a black car from a grass background into heavy traffic). That's just processing power - something cameras should be able to handle - if not now then soon.The 7D does this now. Just set the AF to slow.

[GrendelKhan]

The 7D does this now. Just set the AF to slow.

Wouldn't you need a high f-stop to accomplish this with the 7D. I want to do this at f1.x and follow a fast moving object, person, animal. If I should be able to do this now, please tell me how?

[gjl711]

Wouldn't you need a high f-stop to accomplish this with the 7D. I want to do this at f1.x and follow a fast moving object, person, animal. If I should be able to do this now, please tell me how?I don't think the f-stop matters. Here is a quick tutorial on the 7D AI focus.
http://www.garyluhm.net/bio/tips_0310.html

[alessandro2009]

What do you think will be the next great leap in photography technology?
I hope a new type of sensor with the same dynamic range of the human eyes (about 20-21), very good low noise (but without losing detail) even at high iso and without heat problem on the sensor (with the advent of the video function this limit became more evident).

[Your Story Photoart]

I would have to say it would be a camera that automatically makes everyone a "professional" from the moment they pick it up.

oh wait, that's the way it is already anyway :lol:

[karobinson]

bw!I would have to say it would be a camera that automatically makes everyone a "professional" from the moment they pick it up.

oh wait, that's the way it is already anyway :lol:
bw!

[sardines]

Eye control, built-in wireless, built-in GPS, Sim card slot, auto upload, auto HDR, and the most important thing, finger print reader for security and copyright.

[erickboileau]

no AA filter , no Bayer
and nothing else

[gjl711]

no AA filter , no Bayer
and nothing elseAlready here. The Foveon sensor requires neither I believe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foveon_X3_sensor

[erickboileau]

but aps-c sensor, not a FF ... and Sigma lenses :-(

[gjl711]

but aps-c sensor, not a FF ... and Sigma lenses :-(
But the thread is about the next great advance in photo technology. This is already here. The chip has some shortcomings but with each generation it is getting better.

[ZoneV]

The next big leap would not be boring more pixel, higher ISO, a bit lower noise or a bit faster AF - that are all normal steps.
A big leap is someting really much better or new.

For instance I could imaging, that apodisation could be a big step.
I work at the moment on DIY apodisation filters in some of my lenses (see homepage) - but it would be no big problem, to move the iris during exposure at longer or equal exposure times than x-sync.

At the moment only the Sony / Minolta 135/2.8 STF has an optical apodisation filter integrated for background bluring.
Such a filtering of the bokeh is great to make unsharp image regions smoother. Great for unsharh bush in the background and such: Apodisation filtered image (http://www.4photos.de/galerie/Natur/slides/Löwenzahn.html)

[spear]

I would think the biggest leap will be higher dynamic range and a higher tolerance for out of focus pictures. I think that can be achieved as better and more sensitive sensors with dramatically higher MP count. Say if your sensor can pack 200 mega pixels and highest pixel count your lens can resolve is say 25 mp, you could use many of those pixels to take a simultaneous auto bracketed for exposure and focus bracketed pic that is actually only 25mp but with several variations. Since the base camera ISO is now 6400 ISO rather than 100 ISO :) this can also be done even with fast action pictures. Oh wait ... it is already fast action pictures since the pictures are taken in Super HD mode and you have 40 still frames per second at 25mp anytime you need it. Of course this can fill up your 1000 TB SD card rather quickly, but at $20 a pop you just get a bunch of them :lol:.

[DeaconG]

Amateur.

Everyone knows you can get SanDisk Ultra Extreme Pro 64 exabit CFast cards for $169!:lol:

[boerewors]

32 bit RAW files, 1/8000 flash sync speed, no AA filter, 100 megapixels with option for binning by average value, a new autofocus method thats controlled by the eye but has no predetermined focus points, it just focuses on whatever you look at through the viewfinder.

[Lowner]

I could easily believe that the very expensive sensor currently fitted to all Digital cameras might be replaced with something far cheaper to produce in the long term.

[edge100]

32 bit RAW files, 1/8000 flash sync speed

Even true 16-bit RAW files would be a huge step up over the current 14-bit, since every bit added doubles the number of 'levels' you have available. The major advantage of this is increased S/N.

An increase in flash sync speed would require faster moving shutter blades. I'd LOVE to see native sync speeds jump even to 1/500, which would give us all at least a stop of extra sun-fighting ability.