Do we want Anti-aliasing filters?

[Brachytron]

I've seen some amazingly sharp shots from the Nikon D800E and the new D7100 comes without an AA filter, and looks very promising for enthusiasts. Also, the Sigma Fovean chip doesn't use one and produces really sharp images. I for one would love it if Canon offered a service to remove the AA filter from my 7D and if they removed it from the rumoured 7D MKII, I think that would help make one great camera.

I wonder how much user pressure it would take before AA filters become a thing of the past. Would love to know other's opinions, especially 800E users. Perhaps we can lobby the manufacturers (although Nikon already seem to be there!). Thanks.

 

[LCPete]

I read on Fred Miranda ( there is a thread on there at the mo talking about AA filter on 5D3 ) that Canon dont use very strong AA filters anyway so its probably not a big issue for Canon users
I think that the limiting factor on sharpness is the lens

 

[magicaxeman]

Its all very well to just remove the AA/low pass filter but if you dont do anything about removing the moire pattern issue, at least Fujifilm developed their own colour filter overlay to replace the bayer overlay that seems to cause the issues whereas as far as I'm aware Nikon have just removed the AA/low pass filter.

Glass of course can affect things, but coming from canon with fast/sharp glass to Fuji I can say that its much sharper than my old rig, iQ wise I wouldn't even think of replacing my X-Pro1 with anything less than a 5D mk3 with L glass or a Nikon D800E with premium glass.

Of course for those that love B&W like myself Leica have gone one better and not only dispensed with the AA/low pass filter but also the colour array as well, using a FF sensor that just records luminance, its not only outstandingly sharp but also has a phenomenal ISO range & performance.

 

[PJ S]

Pentax K5 IIs is another that removed the AA filter.
I imagine it's the thin end of the wedge at the moment - maybe in 5 years, AA filters will be out of the midrange bodies too.

 

[architectfadi]

No we don't. I ve never heard of anyone using Fuji x or a Nikon D800e complaining about not having it

 

[LongLensPhotography]

The less - the better, most of the time. Maybe not for portraits or fashion, but landscapes really don't need one

 

[markmullen]

I was asking Canon at Photokina to make a high MP camera with no AA filter to save me going to MFD in the future. They claimed it was too niche and they preferred to concentrate on models with a wide appeal. That said I'm sure they won't like to lose business to Nikon with the D800E so I wouldn't be surprised if they made one.