The next step after Helicon

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Helicon software is awsome when combining a stack of photos into a focused work. There is new technology that allows cameras to photograph at multiple depths of field and combine them into one photo much the same way Helicon does:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/21/lytro-launches-to-transform-photography-with-50m-in-venture-funds-tctv/

The writer isn't totally convinced of the usefulness of the product yet, noting some limmitations:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/22/doubts-about-lytros-focus-later-camera/

[DKS]

When this technology was announced a few months back, I started digging into it. Unfortunately, I tend to think it's more of a gimmick than something truly useful. Perhaps there are obscure applications where it has an advantage, but since it requires specialized hardware/software with no ability to export it in print form or embed it in documents, I honestly can't see any usefulness.

[pnolan48]

David,

Think DoD. Location of enemy shooter. Target to shoot at. Analysis of damage. It works with audio, why not light with far greater precision? Yes, it reduces HD images to 256 x 256 images--that's quite enough for a targeting sensor. And the resolution will increase. Just take a point and shoot 16-Mpixel sensor and expand it to DX or even much larger formats.

That $50M venture money is doled out in carefully measured portions.

If you can do it with sound and light, well, why not in between with radars? This looks to me like a next generation radar, which is already pretty sophisticated. Or probably a next-next generation.

[DKS]

David,

Think DoD. Location of enemy shooter. Target to shoot at. Analysis of damage. It works with audio, why not light with far greater precision? Yes, it reduces HD images to 256 x 256 images--that's quite enough for a targeting sensor. And the resolution will increase. Just take a point and shoot 16-Mpixel sensor and expand it to DX or even much larger formats.

That $50M venture money is doled out in carefully measured portions.

If you can do it with sound and light, well, why not in between with radars? This looks to me like a next generation radar, which is already pretty sophisticated. Or probably a next-next generation.

No argument. I should have been more specific, and said I don't see any usefulness in our hobby.