"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...

Some claim that full frame sensors like the Sony a900's 24.6 Mpix or the
Canon 21 Mpix cameras cannot out-resolve the Nikon 12 Mpix full frame
cameras.

I therefore throw out this friendly challenge with results to be posted
(full frame raw images) in two weeks time.

Send me an e-meil at the address above (less the "Freelunch") if you're
"in" and your gear complies to the requirement below.

PROPOSED RULES
--------------
Here are some rules, you may propose changes, naturally, in reply to
this post.

Let's try to sort out rule changes by this Friday (2008.12.05).

I will not reply to anything other than serious proposed rule changes or
adjustments which are within the grasp of the average shooters in these
NG's and which enable participation with a minimum of fuss, but that
have reasonably controllable technical requirements/minimums.

1. CAMERA and LENS

a) Each uses his sharpest 50mm or longer lens at its sharpest aperture.
You may borrow, beg, etc. a lens if you want/need to.

b) Full frame 35mm cameras only (eg: [24 x 36mm] +/- 1 mm).

Film is permitted, nay, encouraged. Scanning is the
responsibility of the shooter. (If you're late on the deadline, I'll
still post the images, of course). Submit TIF's.

c) Camera set to its best ISO for image quality (per the
manufacturer).

2. TARGET

Subject to be a specific "The Economist" - "Positions" advertisement
(tend to have fine print) to be mutually agreed from the 6 Dec 2008
edition.

A ruler (cm or inches) must be part of the image but will not,
itself, be part of the evaluation.

Shooter to make sure the page is mounted as flat as reasonably
possible and normal to the lens axis. Eg: tape or clamp the page to a
piece of plywood.

3. LIGHTING

Tungsten lighting at a distance commensurate with exposure at chosen
aperture, ISO and speed. Assume two lights, one on each side, level
with the work and approximately 45 degrees to the lens axis.
I propose we agree on 100W for each light.

(I have no objection if folks prefer strobe lighting, as long as
everyone agrees on it and can do it. I would prefer strobe actually but
propose tungsten if that is more accessible.)

4. DISTANCE

Distance to be _1.25 inches per mm of focal length_ from the subject
to the sensor plane. (To allow a wide range of normal to telephot
lenses but a reasonable scaling for comparison.) If you know the 'true'
FL v. the marketed FL, then please use the true value.

(This constant to be refined but something on that order. Once agreed,
all shooters must use the same multiplier. A ruler (in cm or inches)
must be part of the photo(s)).

5. SUPPORT

Tripod, release cable and MLU are assumed.

6. RESULT FILES

Original, unchanged, raw files (no sharpening that way) to be sent
to me via YouSendIt.com. I will post these for access by all
participants.

7. OTHER FILES

100% crops (sharpened and not) to be posted as well as selected by
the shooters.

8. EVALUATION

Evaluation: center and corner sharpness. Discussion of results in
rec.photo.equipment.slr-systems.

Does anyone have a resolution tool on their computer?

9. DEADLINE

Deadline: 2008.12.14 - Sunday midnight, Los Angeles Time.

Cheers,
Alan

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.
-- usenet posts from gmail.com and googlemail.com are filtered out.

Item #7: What's "100% crops"? Either uncropped or nonexistent. May I
suggest an alternative to requiring huge files to be posted? Take the
picture as proposed, size to a large size (e.g., 20x30"), then crop a
section of about 6x9" (to fit on the screen). No need to evaluate the
entire image.
--
Alan Justice