Canon Xti/400D Data Size Increase

Does anybody care that the file size of shots will be a bit bigger? Seems the sensor shake system is designed to remove the dust. But because of the new DPP 2.2 software change for dust removal in the "Stamp tool", there is also some extra EXIF data (or similar) embedded.

Canon wants to you to take a shot of a white wall (white card or maybe gray will work?), click some menu functions, and that "data" is added to subsequent shots.

Anybody care about that additional (or backup dust removal) feature?

I think it is actually too big of a filesize for a lot of their market for that camera. I think a lot of begginers/soccer moms/newlyweds/new parents buy a rebel to try and get better pictures, which can only happen if they learn about the camera and the basics of photography/slr usage. Once they have done that it seems that they will need more hard drive space than before. I can hardly keep up with my 5D's huge filesize (admittadly I'm shooting raw) on my computer...I have 1.5tb of storage on my computer!

I think that's a lot of work to be able to improve your photography. Learning about your camera and about photography is enough of an obstacle. Having to upgrade your computer's hard drive and ram to add more space/handle bigger file sizes in post processing seems a bit much.

I guess I just don't think the average consumer needs more than 8 megapixels right now. There are quite a few pros out there who still shoot 20D's, 30D's, and 1DmarkI's...all of which have 8mp or less

I've got a rocket blower...that's all the dust removal I need. Anything else seems like just one more thing to break

I tend to agree that it could be too much "work". Most that know, have a blower, brush, pec-pad technique anyway, and if you need to use the software dust fixer, you need the blower, brush, pec-pad technique anyway.

I read somewhere that someone thought it was funny that they announced a anti-dust sensor deal AND an anti-dust software deal at the same time. Like the one was the backup in case their motor didn't work right.

you don't want dust on your pictures, shoot at f/2.8 or faster, it won't show

I think that dust will not be the biggest problem to new dslr users. And with RAW files
capping around 10Mb each, and the following Jpeg at around 2.5Mb, it's not easy
on the computer. But the majority of users that will buy the 400D, will be happy to shoot Large Jpegs, using pictures styles, and bragging about their new 10mp toy...

I've seen the Canon Demo on the dust cleaning sensor technology.

First off, they use big technical words, on a non-technically oriented camera (compared to the 5D 1D). This is either a huge marketing mistake, or they do not wish peasants to understand the stuff they are pulling off.

I am a mechanical engineer by training, but I am not up to date with the latest electronics. However, I do feel comfortable saying that 400D users have a 50-50 chance of success with this technology.

Let me paint you this picture, a for instance. The Sensor assembly tends to collect dust, as any other electronic piece of material that is charged. There is a clear coat, that was designed to create a vibration frequency, in order to remove any spots of dust from the sensor. Ok, so far so good. Now, once out of the sensor cover plate, where does this dust spec go?... mmmhhh. Probably somewhere within the camera assembly. What keeps this removed piece of dust from finding its way back to the sensor? Nothing.

As much as the sensor kicks the dust out, that dust is building up and more prone to return.

The argument may be made, that perhaps with a regular blower brush the effect is the same, the dust is removed from the sensor, but the dust remains inside the camera.

In my case, I would rather clean the sensor surface, than the sensor clear cover, which being in close proximity with the sensor, may create issues if you try to press on it against the sensor while blowbrushing it.

That piece of material needs to be designed to vibrate about, but to never vibrate enough to touch the sensor surface (think of an S shaped movement of a plastic xray being shaken in front of your sensor). So if I go brush it, and I press to hard, I run the risk of slightly warping or inflicting some damage on that sensor dust cover. And I assume that is just the same as breaking or damaging the sensor, as it cannot be home repaired, or fixed with $20 dollars.

Anyhow, there is more to this system than meets the eye. It's like IS on the Sensor assembly. That is nice too. But wouldn't more charge attract even more dust? How do you keep the dust from forming between the plates?.. Lenses can be sealed, but sooner or later, the sensor must be exposed directly to the sourcelight.

Sorry about my ramblings, I hope my thoughts make some sense.

Cheers.

PS: Data increase on 400D? If it is caused by firmware or embedded software, it should not affect that much. How much difference are we talking about?...

I read that there is a sticky substance that catches the dust particles. Keeps them from returning to the sensor.

I was wondering what happens when you "teach" the dust removal software where the dust is and then the dust falls off? Does it try to correct for something that isnt there anymore?

I don't disagree with the concept that the size of the files will be more than can be handled by some consumers. I also don't agree. Look back at the number of posts here alone by the owners of the XT that didn't think Canon went far enough with the camera.

I don't know how many kb an extra field of data in the EXIF will add to a file size. I wouldn't think that it would be overly erroneous.

Today's consumers are alot smarter than we care to give them credit for. Afterall are we not normal consumers and do we want to call ourselves dumb.. You see many first time searches on this forum and others that are seeking the advice of experienced users in trying to make the right decision. There surely are those that go out and buy a DSLR because of the mindset that it has more megapixels, more options, more bells and whistles, it must take better images. They do not realize the learning curve nor some of the post effort that has to go into this.

Does it take any more effort to process a 10MP image than an 8MP. In effort no, time wise perhaps slightly more.

The auto clean should not be expected to remove 100% of dust but it'll help for sure. Its not a reason to buy just for that but with the other improvements, (AF being the most important) its certainly worth good consideration.

As Virtual_D said, there is a sticky strip underneath to collect the fallen dust.

As for the mapping technique, CameraLabs test proved that the dust info embedded in the EXIF is of negligible size as a shot of the same scene WITHOUT the info was actually bigger. It does NOT store another image of the dust but maps where they are and how big.

Interesting question. Personally I think that because the auto clean activates when the camera is turned on and off any dust thats still there when mapped will probably stay there until it gets cleaned in the conventional way.

That's why is good to have close a blower. Once in a while just blow off a couple of times the interior of the shutter chamber to seldom on dust. No big deal.

This dust cover you called it, is the AA filter wich is made of glass of some sort (layered glass and single crystals), and it's been there from the begining of digital SLR. It's quite tough also. Only that now it's moving. The plastic X-ray comparison is not viable.
And the shake direction isn't back-forth, but up-down, so there's no possibility for the AA filter to touch the sensor.

Well, I read what you said above. That it was an EXIF field. How does that work? I thought it saved a dust map to the image. If it doesn't save a dust map, then what happens halfway through a shoot, if more dust gets on the sensor?

Just clean it yourself. I did and i can't see what all the fuss is about : )