- Joined
- Nov 16, 2004
- Messages
- 3,272
I got a real chuckle out of reading back through this thread and seeing a reference to a digital back for 8x10. Digital has pretty much topped out at ersatz medium format (aka slightly bigger than 35mm full frame).
Excellent description of the current digital "medium format. "
However, with how the prices of the sensors are going down and down and down (take a look at the new Pentax full frame (24x36) DSLR for example), we're getting close to at least getting a true 6x4.5 digital sensor.
And then the prices of used medium format lenses, the ones that we currently use for film (as God intended this to be) will go up once they start using it on MF DSLRs. So start collecting now.
You read it first here in APUG!!
PS: I don't care either for those sensors, as long as film is available i'll be happy.
Now I am mostly back to 35mm again but the good condition MF gear is still out there and since prices did not change much ,people must be buying it and using it still.
Excellent description of the current digital "medium format. "
However, with how the prices of the sensors are going down and down and down (take a look at the new Pentax full frame (24x36) DSLR for example), we're getting close to at least getting a true 6x4.5 digital sensor.
And then the prices of used medium format lenses, the ones that we currently use for film (as God intended this to be) will go up once they start using it on MF DSLRs. So start collecting now.
You read it first here in APUG!!
PS: I don't care either for those sensors, as long as film is available i'll be happy.
Maybe it's because i shoot more MF gear, but I think MF is having a comeback due to the low prices.
Janurary 1999 issue of Pop Photo shows B&H selling the RZ67 for $2999 (Pro II, 110mm, 120 back). Checkout the prices now.Low price....?? Depends.
Price is going down??? You mean the Pentax offering? The problems with the D medium format system is that the ISO range is very limited. Burst speed is slow. Its applications is very limited. With $7k to $8k budget, you can get yourself a nice D4 or D5 with spare change for some nice lens too. So, if you want to experience the medium format system, you have to shoot film, period. Maybe getting a body in which you can buy a digital back for it.
Price is going down??? You mean the Pentax offering? The problems with the D medium format system is that the ISO range is very limited. Burst speed is slow. Its applications is very limited. With $7k to $8k budget, you can get yourself a nice D4 or D5 with spare change for some nice lens too. So, if you want to experience the medium format system, you have to shoot film, period. Maybe getting a body in which you can buy a digital back for it.
Pro MF SLR gear is at incredibly low prices compared to what it originally was. Great time to buy. But certain specific lenses might still be in such high repute, combined with relative scarcity, that they still command top dollar. And of course we're talking about film cameras. Why wouldn't we? This kind of gear was typically build to last for decades, and 120 film is abundant and affordable. Who needs a digital back that costs as much
as a car and will be obsolete faster than an ice cream cone melts in Death Valley?
Janurary 1999 issue of Pop Photo shows B&H selling the RZ67 for $2999 (Pro II, 110mm, 120 back). Checkout the prices now.
Sure, but when those cameras are out of production and used ones sell for cheap, that's not the sign of healthy, growing demand.
I got a real chuckle out of reading back through this thread and seeing a reference to a digital back for 8x10. Digital has pretty much topped out at ersatz medium format (aka slightly bigger than 35mm full frame).
Sal- that may as well be vaporware, and it's producing resolution on a par with a 2006-ish DSLR. And unlike a Betterlight scanning back, the 4x5 back still requires a much larger camera to be used. While I'm sure the ultimate image quality is vastly superior to the quality of a 2006-ish DSLR, there's an awful lot of inconveniences to it. And even they admit themselves that most of their product offerings are hypothetical. Not exactly what I'd call a market player.
Given the volume of medium format cameras that have been produced in the last century, and how many of those are still perfectly serviceable, I don't think there is really much to the point of whether or not new high end cameras are being made or sold. There is also the point that many of us don't even WANT a new high end camera for much of what we do. I personally want interesting mechanical designs, which ideally don't need batteries or anything.
A far better indication of how the medium format market is doing is sales of film. I've bought one medium format camera, but have already made multiple orders to buy more film, and plan to continue doing so. Might pick up another lens or two for my MF camera, but I really don't have much desire to buy more cameras. A 6x9 or something might tempt me if I find one for a decent price, but I'm far more likely to pick up a large format for different projects.
And yes the low price for the quality of the gear, even if heavily used, was a major factor in my decision to get into MF photography.
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I've also been responsible for corrupting more than one youth by introducing them to film photography and darkroom work; my daughter, who turns 20 this year, doesn't even carry her digital camera around with her, preferring instead her 35mm film bodies loaded with black and white (Proverbs 22:6).
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I've also been responsible for corrupting more than one youth by introducing them to film photography and darkroom work; my daughter, who turns 20 this year, doesn't even carry her digital camera around with her, preferring instead her 35mm film bodies loaded with black and white (Proverbs 22:6).
I love this site because there are so many people devoted to using the old stuff, and that makes me happy.
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