Thoughts on development

I want to begin by saying that I know the Lytro cameras only from reviews etc and hin.- and over consider whether I should buy myself the Illum now and if the "play value" the high price also justified.
The kaleidoscopic predecessor was clearly me too bad, too inflexible and too much and too little toy camera, but at the Illum it is now slowly really exciting.
As perhaps others are in this predicament, and there are a few reviews of users already out there that vary considerably, I want to contribute my thoughts as a professional cameraman, maybe this is for the one or other additional helpful.

It is clear that a plenoptische Lichtenfeld camera like the Lytro Illum (and its predecessors) followed a very specific purpose and requires a fundamental rethinking about the purpose and the expected results, as well as, the meaning of the light field technology suggests customized choice of motifs, if not ever it restricts (low graded objects as possible from the macro area to later). And here begins for me the crux of the matter and ambivalence: if the creative design idea of ​​a (admittedly fascinating) must submit to technology, then it moves on very thin ice.

It has now nevertheless pleased at the opportunity after recording refocus, or to change the depth of field (but only on a limited and pre-defined prior to the start area), slightly perspective to change the camera position ("Living Pictures") and 3D generate -Photos of the light field data, so, for me, however, except the essential question of practicality, the question: But it's also a good camera?

In my opinion, a resounding yes - because it is a useful light field camera.
In my opinion, a definite no - because it is just a useful light field camera.

How So?
The Lytro Illum is basically an ordinary digital camera, with the addition of a microlens disc front of the sensor, which breaks down the incident image of the lens, simply put, depending on the angle of the light beams in many small pictures with different focal plane and slightly offset perspective and in a file writes everything else is assembled in the software after the Schärfe.- and perspective needs of the user and probably probably interpolated.
But what exactly the resolution of "40 Megaray" (beams) actually means how much native resolution of the sensor itself has and how much lenses includes the microlens disc, ie how much Schärfe.- and perspective stages the light field information are resolved, we are left with the Californian Startup Lytro from Mountain View wisely guilty. An open information policy is certainly not, despite the hope clear remote view into the mountains.

But, it would be really so easy:
Why has the, Rest of very bright and therefore well suited for limited depth of focus, zoom lens of Illum not yet even have a mechanical iris as any conventional camera and why can the microlens disc not folded away from the sensor?
Because they would have these options, you would except a light field camera and a normal digital camera with useful 2D resolution. And the screw-in ND filter to reduce light in case of sunshine would be superfluous and would not degrade the optical quality and reflect at a macro scale from zero millimeters in front of the front lens, the adhesive on the filter dust particles etc. with. And if necessarily already gray filter, then please behind the lens, outside the focal plane and quickly be folded via a switch, lever or wheel, because who wants to be happy in front of Sunshine recording still fast times dranschrauben the ND filter - bag rummage, search filters, clean filter, lens hood down, filter Screw, lens hood on it - CLICK - shutter lag overall good 1 minute, if you're fast.

My rating of 4 stars (unfortunately I can no asterisk Review no text) therefore applies only to the constraints inherent, missing features of this light field camera as practicable, timely and useful everyday camera. More I can not comment, because, it, let me again make explicit attention, I've never even held in hands.

For the artistic aspect of the design (not functional, I can not judge) but I would forgive no less than 6 also star. This is an excellent, minimalist and elegant reinterpretation classic camera design with exhilarating counterpoint (fragile, slender body, simple and solid-looking lens tube), bold, oblique angles and cuts, but without any embarrassing Over Design Ness and, without sentimental handle in the Retrocase although the Illum would have done well in the hands of Captain James T. Kirk good and authentic figure.

Konklusio:
I have let pass the tempting offer flash and wait and hope. As a third camera and adult toy is too expensive for me and I do not want next to my already heavy DSLR or EVIL roam even Draped in addition to a serious light field camera.
So I will as usual continue to decide for my prospects and sharpness levels just before shooting and not afterwards and me then for detail sharp 28 megapixel photos please - up, yes to ...
I buy myself definitely if I with at least APS-C sensor, or even better full-frame sensor vorfinde an excellent DSLR EVIL or ILC of Lytro with interchangeable lens mount, which provides 25 fps in full resolution and even UHD- and 4K video recording can and as a further option can swivel the microlens disk for the light field photography. With, say, 500 Megaray I would be quite satisfied, 2D photos with 50 Megapixel should then also it well be to generate. The memory card should then be very very big and very very fast.
Science fiction?
Watching Lytro: That would be an unrivaled range, which I could no longer resist.
Oh, Californian!
Watch out Lytro: That would be to offer unrivaled I could not resist anymore.