timbutt2 wrote:I will say that returning to 35mm Still Photography, has made me embrace the concept of Blackmagic going to VistaVision/Full-Frame. Especially since I wouldn't mind them increasing the 12K pixel size to keep 12K resolution…
The easiest path to match 135 film gate or support a 36mm active sensor width with the current 2.2 micron photosites is a 16K version of their custom RGBWWW CFA. But it should be marketed towards 8K deliverables such as 8K HDR television. However the existing 12K camera can also support 8K deliverables so I’m not sure going to a 16K sensor will gain them more than headlines in the cinema reviewer ecosystem.
I believe higher dynamic range will be a more appropriate design goal than can be achieved in a few different ways, the easiest being fatter 4.4 photosites which could be used in combination with other electronic design techniques at the photosite level. A flagship 6K camera that achieves a usable 15 stops (or more) would be a better competitor to generate 4K deliverables that will be the largest market for 10 years minimum.
Best not to get too far ahead of the industry as it’s too difficult to predict technology breakthroughs. Yes, people are shooting for 8K deliverables, but I doubt they’re using the UMP12K to do that today for more than VFX plates. BMD may not have World Conquest as a corporate goal, but if they did they will need to build a taller pyramid beginning at ground level with sound footings (customer relations, quality, support, reliability, emergency support, etc). Chasing IMAX, 65/70mm sensors or even VV without those improvements to the footings won’t bring them any success at the top.
Upscaling to 8K deliverables from 4K deliverables today is astoundingly good in most situations including how an actor is portrayed. Let’s not forget the real actors for which even 4K may be the limit of our tolerance to suspend our disbelief and enjoy the art of the performance. 16K originals will have us focused on their pores and not their expressions of art.