Why Do You Take Photographs?

Paulie’s video raises an interesting question: Why are photographers drawn to the practice? One of the individuals responds, “Because I must,” and several others see it as a therapeutic process or a way of being in the world. Still, others see it as a way to engage more with their surroundings. One other muses that having a record of your experience in the world is a good thing, a way of reflecting on your past and bringing it more vividly into the present.

References

Three Different Sensor Arrays

A sensor has a certain number of light gathering pixels, and typically the higher the number of pixels, the higher the image’s resolution. This absolute resolution is directly related to much white light or luminance is reaching it. 

Colour in an image is created through a demosaicing process that interprets the light reaching the sensor through a colour array placed between the light source and the sensor. 

The colour array has a pattern of coloured pixel-sized pieces of glass that allow only one colour to reach each individual pixel on the sensor sensor, usually they are either red, blue or green. A demosaicing algorithm, know as colour reconstruction estimates what the original colours were and then blends this information together to create a colour image.

Bayer Filter Array

Bayer filter arrays are found in most cameras, Fujifilm X cameras being one of the few exceptions. A bayer filter has a two by two array with one red, one blue and two green filters. One of the problems with a bayer filter is the demosaicing algorithm working with this very repetitive pattern can result in the risk of moire. You can see moire in the image below. To prevent this, camera manufacturers would reduce the actual resolution of the image using an anti-aliasing filter. As sensor resolution increased camera manufactures began removing the anti-alias filters in favour of better resolution, however this remove the problem. When moire does occur post processing is one method of removing it, in otherwords the defocusing or slight blurring is done in post processing.

X-Tran Filter Array

An X-tran filter array placed over the sensor has a six by six pattern instead of the two by two pattern of the Bayer filter. So it will have a more complex demosaicing algorithm than the Bayer array. The resolution from cameras will be the same as a similar sensor that does not use an anti-alias filter, however the colour resolution will be less. Colour simplification is not necessarily a negative thing as it is often used used in post processing to enhance an image. As the resolution is not impacted it becomes a matter of personal taste. All cameras use a different processing engine which will result in a different look to its JPGs or RAW files, and in some instances this influences photographers camera choices.

RGBW Filter Array

A RGBW filter array uses a six by six array like the X-Tran array but rather additional green filters it uses white. In otherwords there is no filter the open pixel allows more light to pass through the array onto the sensor. The colours for the white filter are estimated by looking at the surrounding coloured filters. The net result is superior performance in low-light situations. This can be done in a number of ways as illustrated in the image below.

References

DJI Pocket 3 the iPhone and Microphones

Should I Use My iPhone and Add a Miniature Microphone?

The iPhone has an excellent video system, which I have been using exclusively, having avoided my cameras because of the size of the files it might produce. However, the sound quality is an issue; solving this would mean using a mic system after looking at the Hollyland, Rode, and DJi miniature mics and comparing both the sound quality and simplicity of the kits. It would appear that the DJI system is likely the best solution.

The DJI system is wholly contained within the charging case; some accessories items do not fit with the container provided. The DJI sound quality seems better balanced than the Rode system, emphasizing the lower tones, and the Hollywood mics seem to have too much treble. (DJI Mic Mini vs Rode Wireless Micro vs Hollyland Lark M2: COMPLETE Mini Mic Showdown)

There is an added benefit to the DJI system as it is entirely compatible with the Pocket 3 system should I decide to abandon using the iPhone for video purposes. Remember that the Pocket Three professional kit, which comes with a microphone kit, does not give a discount for buying the kit. The microphone system would cost the same whether or not you acquire it with the kit or separately. This means I can buy the microphone kit individually and see if the iPhone is all I need, and later, if I change my mind and purchase the Pocket Three, the cost will be the same.

DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)
$239.00 CAD

There will be savings if you consider the smaller DJI microphone system. However, it is a little more limited than the one that comes with the kit, as it does not independently store your recording on the microphone, nor does it have an external microphone port; it does have a more extended range, is much smaller and has a smaller transmitter. It is also more straightforward to synchronize with a camera or phone.

The Case for the Pocket 3

If I found the iPhone was inadequate, I could easily upgrade to the Pocket 3 video camera, a very lightweight portable system and use the same microphones. The Pocket 3’s main advantage is that it uses a one-inch sensor, so when compared to other similar small devices or an iPhone, the image quality is likely to be better, as most other devices, including the iPhone, have smaller sensors. However, compared to a camera, the quality will not be as good as most cameras have 4/3, APSC, FF or MF sensors. Cameras will perform better in low light and deal with dynamic range more effectively. Reviewers suggest at 800 ISO, the Pocket 3 will have very unpleasant noises, which is not the case with late-model cameras. Even so, when compared to capturing video on an iPhone, some have found it hard to distinguish the difference in quality. The first big difference between the Pocket 3 and an iPhone will be the gimbal, which provides much smoother video than an iPhone unless the iPhone is mounted on a gimbal. The second big difference the camera can be set to automatically track the subject.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3. $719 CAD
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo

$929.00 CAD

DJO Mimo App

DJI produces an app for the iPhone that allows you to view the Pocket 3 as it is recording. It can also download the videos, edit them on the phone, and share them. It also connects directly, allowing you to control the gimbal movements and view on a larger screen that provides a histogram and other information. The editor has a suite of tools with templates, filters, music and watermarks.

Black Magic App

The Blackmagic Camera app can connect the DJI microphones to iPhones and Google phones without a transmitter. This makes it possible if one does not want to buy DJI’s microphone kit to purchase one microphone independently and allow it to record directly to a smartphone. The app itself provides you with a more professional interface where you can adjust frame rate, shutter angle, white balance, and ISO. It also provides the ability to connect directly to DaVinci Resolve.

References