[shuttertalk]

Hey guys,

Apparently there's a new technology being tested which uses a different method of increasing image resolution while keeping "noise" low. They are calling it the "invisible camera" and funny as it sounds, it apparently works on the principles of light polarisation.

Camera manufacturers are always looking for ways to reduce picture noise while increasing image resolution, especially in compact cameras and those used in mobile phones that cannot compete with the bigger DSLRs due to their smaller sensors. Up to now, the most common ways to increase resolution while maintaining noise performance were an increase in sensor sizes or the use of extensive image noise processing. German photographer Chris Marquardt has managed to come up with a way around this. With the help of scientists from the Max-Planck Institute and German film manufacturer Spürsinn, Marquardt developed a new type of camera system that uses an optical technology similar to polarization, to amplify the light that forms the image by harnessing ambient light.

Anyway, they are looking for 100 field test volunteers worldwide to perform testing of the camera - you can apply through the links below.

http://www.dcviews.com/press/invisible-camera.htm

http://www.theinvisiblecamera.com/fieldtest/

Should be interesting if you can get your hands on one...

I also hope it's not an april fool's joke. Test starting on Mar 30? Hmmm....

[shuttertalk]

Haha sorry guys, I had a hunch it would be fake and after more digging around on the internet, I'm pretty sure it is.

Feel free to try to participate in the field test though, just for fun...

[Don Schaeffer]

It seems like a hoax to me.

[Pavel]

I suspect that the update of my camera (Nikon D300 - and yes I heard of D300s) will remain invisible for a loong time.

[Toad]

Yes - it is quite possible that this is a hoax or an elaborate April Fools Day joke. It would be nice if it were real though - even if the reality of it falls far short of the expectations. The concept of taking what is essentially a pinhole camera and improving it scientifically to be a *real* product appeals to me greatly.

If it turns out to be a hoax, then Chris Marquardt gets his 15 minutes of fame, and reveals himself as a pathetic April Fool. A hoax only reflects badly on him - and not on the people who romantically embrace the idea of a simple device that records minute variations of light on film.

Dare to dream, people.

[Toad]

Well, as predicted, the invisible camera was an April Fool hoax, According to the perpetrators, their *goal* was to install a fresh sense of wonder in people and to dare them to dream (much like the sentiment I expressed on Thursday in the post above). I suppose that makes me part of his natural target audience for this foolery.

[Zig]

Yes, Rufus apprised me of it a few days ago; had bollox written all over it apart from being released before the 1st, light being rectilinear in propogation: I mean, the "film" plane would always be perpendicular to light. Anyway, boring meself thinking about it...

[NT73]

Even if it had not been an april fools joke, I would expect the cost of the film to be out of mere mortals reach.