Profifoto and Docma have tried to run with Fujifilm’s value angle figure using the following formula:
Value Angle = 2 × arctan ((2 × Pad Ratio) / (Port Diameter – Sensor Diagonal))
But they got something wrong because their figures do not match Fujifilm’s calculation table.
Their table did help use decode Fujifilm’s original table over on FujiAddict thought, which shows that the Sony NEX has a great value angle, while the Sony FE system has a very bad one at 5.50. If these values are evident of a manufactures ability to deliver image quality then Sony must have some amazing engineer.
This way of calculating the quality of a mount could be of significance from an engineering perspective, but it really shouldn’t matter to photographers, beyond the possibility that engineering challenges can lead to higher prices. Sony has been very open about using software to fix optical weaknesses in their cheaper lenses and they probably do so in some of there GM glass, but GM glass pushes the limits of optics so it is probably incredibly difficult to make with such a low value angle as measured by Fujifilm.
To summarize I do not believe any of these numbers should matter to photographers, but it might make engineers lives easier when trying to design extreme lenses with maximum image quality. If Sony had a better value angle their GM glass might be cheaper or more profitable, but most entry-level cameras and lenses have been sufficient for most photographers needs for years now. We should take manufactures numbers with a grain of salt because everyone is doing their own thing and right now Sony is leading the way with features like their eye AF.
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via FujiAddict and docma and Profifoto
