Super charge your DSLR for maximum quality

Have you ever noticed that no matter how expensive the lens you use is, there still seems to be a little bit of blur? Well it may be a surprise to you to discover that the images you take from your DSLR are roughly 70% as sharp as your camera is capable of.

Now before you go ahead and pull out your "evil corporation" card, understand there is a legitimate reason for this.




Most DSLR cameras have a helpful blurring filter otherwise known as an AA filter (Anti Aliasing filter) which is placed on the digital sensor to help prevent moiré. For those who are unfamiliar with the word, moiré happens when there is a repetition of patterns on an object like, a pin shirt, screen door, or a chain link fence. With an AA filter the moiré effect is still present, it is however less noticeable. The effect is very noticeable when there is an absence of the AA filter because the camera is able to capture detail at the pixel level.


Some DSLR cameras such as the 39 megapixel Hasselblad H3DII-39 do not have an AA filter built in. This camera however does come with a hefty price tag of $29K. How do they get rid of moiré? Short answer: Post processing, though in some cases you cannot completely get rid of it.

Photographers who are into pixel peeping realize the sharpness and detail achieved by the lack of an AA filter far outweighs the issues that occasionally come up with moiré. So why do camera manufacturers put these filters on if the image quality is so much better with it off? Mass appeal! The truth is that most consumers do not understand nor care about having super sharp images as they do about having that ugly moiré effect in their photos. With the mega pixel race marketing bandwagon in full effect, consumers automatically assume that higher mega pixels = sharper photos. There is definitely more at work than just a digital sensor, but that is a story for another time.

Need more convincing?

Click to enlarge.


Max Max has created an article of the work he has done on a Nikon D200. This camera has been known to be a little soft out of the box, however after removing the AA filter the difference is fairly dramatic.

So how does one take off the AA filter?

There is one shop that will do it for you so you don't have to stumble around and possibly break something in your camera.

Max Max will do the job on a Canon 5D, Nikon D60, D70, D80 and D200 camera for about $450.
Feel free to inquiry on other models.
www.maxmax.com

If you need the image quality for large prints the conversion may be worth every penny to you!