Great information in this thread. Thank you.
So here's a question for those of you with experience with MFDBs: If you were to purchase a body and back with the idea that you were looking for an improvement over full-frame 135 format for field work (i.e. not commercial, studio, product, etc.), which would you choose? When I say "an improvement" I mean without moving to a view camera and 4x5 film, but for making fine prints of about 24x36" or 30x40", etc.
I don't mind if reps are biased in their responses – we're all grown-ups (sort of) and we'll work through it. In fact it would be very helpful for reps to point us in the correct direction within their own lines if they feel their product is well suited to the usage I've described.
In my case, I'd like to find a combination that would make sense for short hiking trips, road trips, national parks, local outdoor stuff (you know, all the stuff that makes the uber-pros gag
). I don't do many portraits, but those that I do make are of the travel type mostly. Most of my work is not cropped at all so I will have to change my practice at times since I find the more square formats less desirable at times (personal taste and a phobia for throwing out pixels
). Many years ago I worked in a photo equipment shop and pro lab so I have handled or used many of the predecessors to what we currently have available (in terms of ergonomics and such). I love what I'm seeing in the Sinar ISO 800 thread that Thierry posted, but I doubt that I'd jump in with a 75s right off (unless that's the appropriate tier for this purpose), so info on the 54xx line would be great.
So if you don't want to shoot tethered, don't do fashion or commercial product or portraits, which components would YOU choose? We're talking working from a pack, outdoor light on the LCD, etc.
Thank you very much for any guidance.
Dale