Marketed as an 8x10 digital camera, the sensor of LargeSense's LS911 is actually a bit larger at 9x11 inches. That's nearly 30 times the area of medium format digital cameras. All things considered, the price is somewhat reasonable if still relatively unaffordable.
With pixels 75 microns in size, this sensor has only 12 megapixels. Of course, you can do a lot with 12 megapixels. But in today's world, a 12-megapixel black-and-white image won't do too much for those seeking ultimate image quality. Even with extremely high sensitivity with low noise, it's difficult to think of applications that justify this camera's $106,000 price tag.
While there have been digital scanning backs that scan similarly large areas over a period of time, those are not useful for any subjects that move. What makes the LS911 special is that this is a single-take camera with shutter speeds of up to 1/26s. An external shutter accessory will allow up to 1/500s exposures in the future. The internal shutter speed allow the LS911 to take video footage. Again, although this is black and white, it does allow for extremely high-quality video footage at up to 4K resolution at 24 fps. In full HD, the LS911 can hit 70 fps.
Below, you can see some quick sample footage from the camera:
The LS911 also lacks an infrared filter, which can be compensated for with the attachment of a similar filter on the lens. But this means it is a bit more flexible for high-quality infrared photography as well. With CF, SD, and external storage options, the LS911 also boasts 900GB of internal storage as well, which will cover plenty of still frames and a good bit of video as far as internal storage goes.
What applications do you see for the LS911?
This seems more like a proof-of-concept. For stills, 1/26 of a second is only good for landscapes and portraits, but 12 megapixels is not good for either. Would be really compelling to see the tonality of a sensor with 75 micron pixels in color, but that's not an option.
Video might be an interesting application, but without color I doubt the ultra low light possibilities will be noticeable. Black and White is surreal, noise isn't a problem.
Here you have all of the disadvantages of a large camera and none of the advantages. Fun project though.
"1/26 of a second is only good for landscapes and portraits"
What else would you be shooting with this?
"...but 12 megapixels is not good for either." That was my point. This would only be good for portraits and landscapes and it's not good for portraits and landscapes, especially landscapes.
At least not by any of today's standards and DEFINITELY not by the standards of large format film photography which blows every digital sensor ever made out of the water.
Andre The Giant could shoot a wedding with it.
I'd sell it.
I can’t imagine any of these actually sell.
So with a 75 micron pixel size, does this thing have great IQ at ISO 1 gazillion?
For my 4x5 B&W film work shooting landscapes and the zone system I usually shot at 1/2 second, F64 or f45, ISO 300. Exposure was based on where I wanted Zone 3 Shadows and Zone 8 highlights to fall. 1/25 of a second is overkill for those practiced in the Landscape using the Zone system... Yes, it's not the same as my DSLR. Its a tool and the most important thing is the 12 inches behind the camera so you can use the tool...12 MP, if you don't crop, would produce great images.
PS I used D76 developer and figured out the workflow that yielded great tonal range too. It's all in knowing how to use the tools you have...
I see no point to this overfilled bathtub of a camera.
What you photograph had better be very still or dead.