edit: ah... I think I did get you wrong. You are referring to the DOF indication on the lens, right?
So, yes, it is actually completely useless with these highres chips.
They are in fact extremely useful. They are just inaccurate *as marked* for the resolving ability of the high res backs.
My field testing indicates:
For P25/P20/P21 - 1.5 stop
For P45 - 2 stops
For P40/P65 - 2.5 stops
Example: Shooting at f/11 with the P45 you need to use the f/5.6 marking for hyperfocal.
Of course the best method is to test your back/body/lens combo for hyperfocal focusing at your preferred aperture and then either mark on the lens, or memorize/record the specific place on the lens. Then you can "set it and forget it". Leave a bit of slack since lens focus changes slightly with temperature, human error, etc.
Rodenstock/Schneider can't possibly know what micron-sized sensors will be used on a lens produced today. So instead of trying to produce lenses with DOF markings specific to each micron size (i.e. each generation of back) they mark to a known standard, and it is up to you (or your dealer) to understand how much to adjust from the film-standard-DOF to your specific back.
Doug Peterson
(e-mail Me)__________________
Head of Technical Services, Capture Integration
Phase One, Canon, Apple, Profoto, Eizo & More
National: 877.217.9870 | Cell: 740.707.2183
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