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Contax TVSD vs. Sony V1

Hi Ken,

in the Test-Images Gallery, click on the section of the TVSD and on the next screen on th upper right corner there is an upload button. Max. upoad restrictions are described in that upoad window. The image can not be seen immediately, we have to approove it, so please send us at the same time an e-mail to the webmaster.

Dirk
 
Hi Dirk,

Thank you for your clear instructions. I have uploaded an image and also emailed the webmaster.

Ken
 
Ken, do not use the Auto ISO setting. Set it according to the light conditions you are shooting in. Also, noise can be caused by underexposing any scene and then trying to lighten it to a normal setting. Because the TVS does not have a RAW setting, and only shoots J-Pegs, you must expose the same way you would if you were shooting slide film. Like slide film, there is little margin for exposure error. In addition, you must set the camera to record on fine as opposed to normal which has a lower resolutiuon (it comes from the factory set on normal ).

Hi everyone, I just returned from making a TV commercial in Hollywood California. I took my Contax ND and the new TVS Digital. I had one 512meg., and one 256meg. SD card with me as well as a spare battery. I never used the spare card or battery in the 6 days I was there. I did recharge the battery in camera once even though it was still showing a charge. I used the display for all shots and did a fair amount of in camera review with the screen...so the battery is fine, and a 512 meg. SD card holds a lot of images even though I was using the fine setting for the highest resolution.

I shot a lot of typical tourist type images with the TVSD, while using the ND for more serious photography like shooting production stills during the filming of the TV commercial I was there to supervise. The conditions were very contrasty, with very bright sun and deep shadows,. I often set the camera on -.03 or -.07 and when using flash for fill in bright conditions set it at - 1.

I will upload some images in the test area...just remember these aren't art shots but more like typical shots anyone would use a camera like the TVSD for...out to dinner, pictures of the place you are staying, etc.
 
Marc,

If you have time please take a look at the picture I uploaded called "The Naked Cowboy" on the test photo gallery. I actually shot it with FINE setting but AUTO everything else. The file was not manipulated at all after being downloaded from the camera. I apologize as it is quite big and takes a bit of time to download.

As the picture was taken in daylight, I suppose the AUTO ISO setting would be no more than 160 or so. But the outcome is rather noisy. Take a look at the bumper of the Volvo to the right of the cowboy and it is totally jagged. Is this considered acceptable for P&S's like the TVSD? Because to me, this is a bit disappointing. I would like to hear what you and others think. Thanks.

Ken
 
Ken, take a look at the redo I did in the Test area.

I simply lifted your image and set the size to 100 resolution with the longest side at 800 pixels. The original was distorted to much.
I see nothing wrong with it. I loaded an image at the worng size also, and it looks awful. I redid it and now it is okay.

You can expect excellent 5X7 and 8X10s from the 5 meg smaller sensor of the TVS. IMO, if you want to go larger you will need to use an interpolation program on the original file first before printing.
 
Hi Mark, I am an early user of this forum and your contribution has been fantastic, thankyou. Regarding the interpolation program; which one(s) would you recommend? James
 
James, go to www.fredmiranda.com and select actions from the menu. His step Interpolation program plugs right into PhotoShop 6 or 7..he provides no-brainer instructions on loading it into PS. (I don't know if it works with other PS selections like Elements). It's WAY less expensive (under $25.00), and works just as well for up to 20X30 prints (not that you could pull off a 20X30 from the TVSD).

While you're at it, order the Shadow Recovery plug in...it's amazing for pulling detail out of the shadow areas.
 
Marc, thanks for your feedbacks. By looking at the image size of your REDO on photoshop, I noticed that the only thing you did was to change it from 35.556” x 26.667” @ 72 pixels/inch to 8” x 6” @ 100 pixels/inch.

If my understanding is correct, your rationale is by increasing the camera-set 72 dpi to something higher, like 100 or even higher, would enhance the quality of the picture. Is this right, and if so why? Inevitably by increasing the dpi you have to sacrifice the overall dimension of the picture. I was always thinking that these two factors are interrelated and the quality of a high dpi/small size image and its equivalent low dpi/large size image should be the same. You also mentioned that the original was badly distorted. How so? I am sorry for asking so many questions but I am a little bit confused. Only answer me if you have time. Thanks.

Ken
 
Ken, you are correct that it is all realitive.

However, just look at the first image posted by James...as an upload...for some reason it's distorted. Plus it it huge, and reveals all the noise and jagged edges he was worried about. In resizing the image, the upload became less distorted and the noise became less intrusive or non-existant. I don't think anyone believes they can print a TVSD file 36"X27" @ 72 dpi and get a decent print, so why post it at that size? Most printers work at about 240 to 300 dpi. So a 72 dpi, 35.5X26.6
TVSD file becomes a 240 dpi, 8"X10.6" image or a 300 dpi, 6.4"X8.53" image...without any interpolation after the fact using PS or an interpolation program.

It's interesting that Contax outputs files @ 72 dpi at such a huge size. It's the same with the ND as well as the TVSD. The Canon S50 does a 180dpi smaller sized file, and the 1Ds and Kodak ProBack allow you to set it yourself.

But it is all relative in the end.
 
Marc,
I don't know... But I am having second thoughts about the TVS now. It is no doubt a very nice camera, and it does take beautiful pictures in daylight. But I think I crave for something with better performance at higher ISO. Maybe you will see me posting an ad to sell it very soon.
Ken
 
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