Top Secret Photo equipment, does it exist?

[10kman]

I've been involved in cycling for 13 years (more than half my life!), and know that there are certain gadgets and equipment options ONLY available to factory riders, people in the biz, etc.

Are there things like that for Photography? I'm thinking about some secret digital slr, 100 megapixels, better resolution than your own eye can produce, maybe a 400mm lens with a f/1.4 or better (i'm reaching, but having fun).

Anyone? Past or present items will cure my curiousity........

10k

[Photo-John]

There's absolutely super photo gear that isn't available to the public. The US military, NASA, and JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratories) have had megapixel digital cameras for decades. There was a time when that technology might have been classified. But the real reason it doesn't trickle down is economics. In the eighties, when good digital sensors were absolutely available, they cost thousands of dollars - just for the sensor. And the size of the components meant that they couldn't be built into a reasonably-sized camera. And now, there are much better sensors being made. You can go to optics tradeshows and see all kinds of them. But again, the prices make it impossible for them to be built into cameras that people could afford. Manufacturing techniques are the biggest issue. As the sensor manufacturers figure out ways to manufacture larger sensors at lower prices, the technology will become available to the rest of us. Until then, all the super badass stuff will still be short-run or one-offs made for scientific or military purposes. They're the ones who have the money to pay for stuff like that.

[Dzerzhinski46]

Another area I can think of is film. The military has terribly specialized and difficult requirements for film and such. Very fast film (in excess of 3200 ISO or more), and infrared film come to mind. Infrared film is not such a secret anymore as it is commercially available, but not many people use it. It is difficult to use in any case, but can give amazing results. It gives a very surreal atmosphere to ordinary scenes, white foliage on trees (as opposed to grey in B&W), nearly black skies. Not so much a secret as a study in frustration.

Dzerzhinski

[another view]

Nothing that I really know of, but pros do often get special treatment with service. Both Nikon and Canon have professional services that take quite a resume to get into, but your repairs go to the top of the list, you can get loaners, try new stuff out, actually be able to buy the latest gear without having to sit on a waiting list for six months, etc.

I agree with John about the economics of new technology. Read my post about the History of Digital, it's an interesting story.

[10kman]

Being a software developer, I know that there are computer parts in development, but they aren't released so the "market can be filled". Big example I can think of are CPU's, some of them were up to insanely fast speeds, but since we didn't already have 3, 3.2, etc. ghz chips, they weren't going to release them. And again, as you guys have noted, the military has the fun stuff.

I figured as much with the priority service on your parts, and the loaners, if you work at a car dealership you can get that type of treatment. I want the goods baby, I wanna see the pimp-daddy stuff!!!

[Outdoorsman]

Well, we've all known about the spy satellites that can resolve tiny objects on the ground from space. They've had that stuff for years now-- imagine what they might have now or in the future. Even using TerraServer/National Map aerial photography gives me the creeps!
Hey, I can see my house from here...

[Ryguyinlj]

on that same token, look at the images coming out that were shot by the probe sent to Titan. The probe was launched in 1997 and the equipment on there was from then too. Just imagine what they have now, 8 years later.

[megan]

Yes, but if we told you about it, it wouldn't be Top Secret!

I know, I'm the only one laughing, but someone had to say it!!!!

Megan

[Dzerzhinski46]

No no,

Yes, but if we told you about it, it wouldn't be Top Secret!

I know, I'm the only one laughing, but someone had to say it!!!!

Megan

But if we told you, we'd have to shoot you, HA HA HA ha ha ha!!!!!! (insert maniacal laugh)

Dzerzhinski

[92135011]

400mm f1.4?

not a problem. Just has to be really big

[10kman]

That's the thing, does it *really* have to be that big??

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop????????

[92135011]

following all optical physical laws, yes

[Trevor Ash]

following all optical physical laws, yes

following all optical physical laws, 3,567,234 licks to get to the center.

[alienator]

You might ask Lockheed Martin or Ball Aerospace that question....they're big in the spy satellite game.

As it happens I've been doing some work on a little f1.25 imaging system w/ a 3 giga pixel sensor. Unfortunately, it won't fit in my Nova camera bag.

[walterick]

"How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop????????"

Is that a metaphor for the universe?

[straightarm]

There's absolutely super photo gear that isn't available to the public. The US military, NASA, and JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratories) have had megapixel digital cameras for decades. There was a time when that technology might have been classified. But the real reason it doesn't trickle down is economics. In the eighties, when good digital sensors were absolutely available, they cost thousands of dollars - just for the sensor. And the size of the components meant that they couldn't be built into a reasonably-sized camera. And now, there are much better sensors being made. You can go to optics tradeshows and see all kinds of them. But again, the prices make it impossible for them to be built into cameras that people could afford. Manufacturing techniques are the biggest issue. As the sensor manufacturers figure out ways to manufacture larger sensors at lower prices, the technology will become available to the rest of us. Until then, all the super badass stuff will still be short-run or one-offs made for scientific or military purposes. They're the ones who have the money to pay for stuff like that.

look at the cameraquest site,

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

it shows various military specials

Simon