When researching MFDB, one of the big things that is tempting with Phase is the 1/1600 sync capability of the LS lenses. Hasselblad, by comparison, tops out at 1/800. However, one of the things I've seen pop up a number of times is LS lenses having issues with the leaf shutter that renders the lens and/or camera useless while at a shoot, and if you don't have a backup MFDB / lens then you're out of luck.
Is this actually a recurring problem which is common for folks?
Using Leaf shutter lens are a vital part of my photography workflow. I own the Schneider Kreuznach LS 28, LS 35, LS 55, LS 80, LS 110 and a LS150mm. My camera is an XF with an IQ260. Thus far I have never had a leaf shutter failure. I don't shoot high volume catalogue photography. My work consists of a mix of editorial and advertising photography. Gear failure is not brand specific it's always wise to have some sort of back-up. I don't carry an extra Medium format back on assignment. I travel with a Canon 5dsr as a back-up.
Here is an example of how I use Leaf Shutter lens. This is an athlete (College Football player) running on a
levee in Florida photographed for an American sports magazine.
ISO 100 1/1250 f/5.6 55LS lens | Profoto Air Remotes | Profoto 7B power packs
: Doug: So I'm based in San Antonio, TX. We don't really have any useful resources locally for this kind of gear. If I was in NY or LA it would be easy I imagine to stroll into a dealer where I can get some hands-on and really get a feel for things. But for me, it's pretty much impossible to financially justify a MFDB so it's much more of a want and I certainly can't afford to risk a system that seems to maybe not be so rock-solid. Sure, people post about negative experiences more than positive, but those negative experiences have a huge impact and I'm not seeing many of those about the alternatives.
I do love the tech in the Phase options, though. At least in theory (having never used one, nor the competition).
For the international readers of the forum, you can go get some coffee now. I’m going to share a bit of personal information.
I grew up in a small town in Texas population 25,000 and left to start my photography career at 17. My first job was to hang out of a heliocopter to photograph “fishing” ships in the pacific ocean for the U.S. Navy.
I only share this story because recently there have been a lot of voices (even respected photography professionals who for some reason have lost their minds…) on the internet who freely give advice based upon limited or no use of a camera just theory which is helpful to a point. But as the military hawks like to say, “Nothing beats boots on the ground”. I say, “nothing beats a camera in hand”
So a bit of advice for you. At some point you have put the research aside and take concrete steps to advance your photography. Rent a car, hop a bus or get on your motorcycle drive up to Austin, Dallas or Houston and surround yourself with photographers who are doing great things with all types of cameras. Meet up with Doug or go to a rental house and put your hands on either a Hassy MFD or a Phase One. Try for yourself.
I hope this is helpful.
Thank you.