Thierry, Phocus is being demonstrated in an Alpha form right now, so Beta testing is yet to come .... or may be underway already. It was thought to be available by late January, but I don't see how that will happen ... and I don't really care how long they take as long as it is right when launched. My bet is early Spring in the US.
I've been working with Flexcolor for some years now, and participate in a worldwide Hasselblad Digital forum of Professional photographers who share tips and tricks. Flex does more, and has complex feature combinations many folks can't appreciate unless you use it on a daily basis. No different than any other good RAW software I'm sure.
Not to discount any one else's opinion, But if I were entering the MF digital market fresh, there would be two systems I would consider: Hasselblad and Hy6 (Probably Sinar if they update their backs in the near future). Then it would come down to what intuitively feels the best to do the work you do, and who has the most immediate/local technical support. All the rest is arguing minutia.
I view MF cameras as just boxes to hang stuff off of. Contax 645, Mamiya 645AFD-II & RZ Pro-IID, Hasselbald H, Hasselblad V, Rollei, Hy6 etc. .... all with slightly different attributes to consider against your needs ... but essentially boxes.
In the leap-frog race concerning digital backs, the race is constantly neck and neck, with a front runner's lead position evaporating in a matter of months. The differences are usually minutia hyped up by back makers to appear further ahead than they really are.
Lenses are a personal thing. I use most all of the H/C lenses on my H3Ds when AF is important, but have two CF adapters to use one of the widest selection of MF lenses on the planet, from fisheye to 500mm when I have the leisure opportunity to shoot Manual Focus. Relatively inexpensive but excellent optics these days. I gather that the Hy6 also offers the expanded possibility to use existing Rollei glass ... which is why my selection would be between the H and Hy6 where I starting afresh. Since I already had ALL of the CFi & CFE Zeiss lenses from Fisheye up to 350mm my decision was easy.
A word in support of the lowly Mamiya 645 AFD-II often discounted in these discussions: I use this camera with an Aptus 75s and an adapter to mount any Zeiss V lens ever made (including the F & FE optics). I did the same thing with my Contax 645 before selling it. As a "box" this camera works just as good as any, and is quite easy to operate for tripod work.
BTW, Multishot backs are very specialized pieces of equipment requiring very specific needs and shooting conditions. I do not own one for this reason ... not to mention the cost. However, as an advertising person, I have shot with photographers who DO use them for our static product work and they are amazing. Point being that in these discussions amongst mere mortals, perhaps the gear closet of the Gods shouldn't weigh-in on the argument to heavily.
I've been working with Flexcolor for some years now, and participate in a worldwide Hasselblad Digital forum of Professional photographers who share tips and tricks. Flex does more, and has complex feature combinations many folks can't appreciate unless you use it on a daily basis. No different than any other good RAW software I'm sure.
Not to discount any one else's opinion, But if I were entering the MF digital market fresh, there would be two systems I would consider: Hasselblad and Hy6 (Probably Sinar if they update their backs in the near future). Then it would come down to what intuitively feels the best to do the work you do, and who has the most immediate/local technical support. All the rest is arguing minutia.
I view MF cameras as just boxes to hang stuff off of. Contax 645, Mamiya 645AFD-II & RZ Pro-IID, Hasselbald H, Hasselblad V, Rollei, Hy6 etc. .... all with slightly different attributes to consider against your needs ... but essentially boxes.
In the leap-frog race concerning digital backs, the race is constantly neck and neck, with a front runner's lead position evaporating in a matter of months. The differences are usually minutia hyped up by back makers to appear further ahead than they really are.
Lenses are a personal thing. I use most all of the H/C lenses on my H3Ds when AF is important, but have two CF adapters to use one of the widest selection of MF lenses on the planet, from fisheye to 500mm when I have the leisure opportunity to shoot Manual Focus. Relatively inexpensive but excellent optics these days. I gather that the Hy6 also offers the expanded possibility to use existing Rollei glass ... which is why my selection would be between the H and Hy6 where I starting afresh. Since I already had ALL of the CFi & CFE Zeiss lenses from Fisheye up to 350mm my decision was easy.
A word in support of the lowly Mamiya 645 AFD-II often discounted in these discussions: I use this camera with an Aptus 75s and an adapter to mount any Zeiss V lens ever made (including the F & FE optics). I did the same thing with my Contax 645 before selling it. As a "box" this camera works just as good as any, and is quite easy to operate for tripod work.
BTW, Multishot backs are very specialized pieces of equipment requiring very specific needs and shooting conditions. I do not own one for this reason ... not to mention the cost. However, as an advertising person, I have shot with photographers who DO use them for our static product work and they are amazing. Point being that in these discussions amongst mere mortals, perhaps the gear closet of the Gods shouldn't weigh-in on the argument to heavily.
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