David Schneider
New member
Short history is I've used C330, RB67, and especially Bronica erts and 6 lenses before I went 100% digital in 1998 or 99 with Kodak 520 ($12,500 at the time) and did youth sports and equestrian events for a few years. Last 8 years I've owned small portrait studio, about 150 seniors, families, an occasional wedding. I understand the shallow dof, and small sensor effects if not full frame, but, man, this mf digital is pretty confusing stuff, especially if on a budget.
I'd say in 6 months to a year I'd like to bring MF into the studio. I've missed that MF experience. I understand the swordsman is more important than the sword, but I have clients that have the same or better camera gear than my Canons.
Frankly, business is not exactly booming. Have to do more volume to have the same net while expenses keep increasing. I did get some nuggets of info from the Short Course thread (http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18463). I'm not prepared to go for my lungs. ROI won't be great and this is partly for me and not just the bottom line.
So looking for mf that's at home on camera stand, but can jump on tripod and go outside the studio for outdoor senior work 2-5 times a day during senior season or go off to family session at their home or a park. Tethered won't work, cf cards seem best
OK, what I see is the Pentax 645D has promise, but no one, including Pentax, has any idea of when it will be available in the US. Specs seem fine for my use (although I don't know how to compare it's 14 bit to others 16 bit). Price point is in my ball park. Hassy H3DII-31 at $10K plus a couple of lenses (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/617782-REG/Hasselblad_70380560.html#reviews) seems like it would also work, especially since it might have higher ISO capabilities. I have no idea what good choices would be in the used market.
Any suggestions, reasons why one system might be better than another, comments, etc. are greatly appreciated.
I'd say in 6 months to a year I'd like to bring MF into the studio. I've missed that MF experience. I understand the swordsman is more important than the sword, but I have clients that have the same or better camera gear than my Canons.
Frankly, business is not exactly booming. Have to do more volume to have the same net while expenses keep increasing. I did get some nuggets of info from the Short Course thread (http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18463). I'm not prepared to go for my lungs. ROI won't be great and this is partly for me and not just the bottom line.
So looking for mf that's at home on camera stand, but can jump on tripod and go outside the studio for outdoor senior work 2-5 times a day during senior season or go off to family session at their home or a park. Tethered won't work, cf cards seem best
OK, what I see is the Pentax 645D has promise, but no one, including Pentax, has any idea of when it will be available in the US. Specs seem fine for my use (although I don't know how to compare it's 14 bit to others 16 bit). Price point is in my ball park. Hassy H3DII-31 at $10K plus a couple of lenses (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/617782-REG/Hasselblad_70380560.html#reviews) seems like it would also work, especially since it might have higher ISO capabilities. I have no idea what good choices would be in the used market.
Any suggestions, reasons why one system might be better than another, comments, etc. are greatly appreciated.