The subject of this thread is really interesting actually, and to many it seems.
As someone who doesn't post much, if at all, but reads an awful lot here, I would like to take the time to say I've found Erik's posts to be earnest and informative. He offers a fairly complete perspective of multiple systems' strengths and weaknesses, and although I don't go into as much detail in my own analysis as he does, many people spending this amount of money on a system should and do consider these things. He has praised features of the X1D, the Sonys, and many other cameras, while logically understanding that all of them have shortcomings. He's also posted links to information, videos, and discussions that others have neglected to. This has proven much more interesting to me than many side discussions or harassment of differing viewpoints.
I'm not sure that's fair. From Erik, I see valid points and appropriately logical defense from attacks. I did not find any of these posts to be helpful or in the spirit of an open forum, however:
On a related note, Ming Thein posted a summary
here of Photokina discussing in part the implications of increasing parity in image quality among cameras today: "I really don’t see anything fundamentally game changing that might make me break out the wallet and offer significantly better image quality." There's more discussion in the comments too. Of course, he already shoots an H5D, so he's in a different camp than I am. But, I think Erik's posts generally reflect similar views.
I have always assumed that I'd be able to value the medium format experience and final image from 35mm, but with the latest/next 35mm sensors, is there really enough of a difference? What is the actual difference? Are there known or hidden compromises? Are the manufacturers selling a tool worth its cost, or promises and emotions? Might the A7rIII/A9 give us the same quality in an even smaller, lighter, and less expensive form? Should we wait for version 2?
These are important questions to me, and I hope they can continue be discussed here openly.