Hi all, long time reader here, first time poster.
Firstly, a little background about myself. I'm a panoramic shooter, (think Peter Lik style), my preferred medium for the past decade has been 6x17 transparencies shot on Velvia 50 mainly with a Fujinon GX617 & 90mm. You just can't beat the colours IMO. Due to the difficulties of servicing my Heidelberg Tango drum scanner here in Australia and increases in Medium Format resolution I purchased a Phase IQ3 100MP XF w/ Schneider 80mm around 2 years back, and then the Schneider 45mm Blue Ring soon after. I'm now looking at switching to a technical camera mostly for size/weight reduction benefits and also the ability for shifts/movements & filterability. I travel a lot for shots and I'm finding the size and weight of my full kit prohibitive.
I'm very much a 'get everything in camera' type of shooter and don't like to stitch or Photoshop. However I've recently found myself in a couple of situations (zero moving elements) where I would consider very occasionally stitching frames with the right equipment. Thanks to two other threads on this forum that I have read religiously I have narrowed down my purchase to the Alpa 12 STC, starting with the ALPA Rodenstock 40mm f/4.0 HR Alpagon (for filterability, size and weight), with plans to add maybe the ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/70 mm later, and possibly ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/23 mm a lot later? Maybe? Although users provided good arguments to Cambo and other systems I knew that I would always lust after the Alpa and would rather spend the extra now than have to switch later.
I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to and hope that some experienced members might be kind enough to answer them for me.
- What is the difference between the ALPA Rodenstock 40mm f/4.0 HR Alpagon, SB17 (Short Barrel) and Long Barrel? Besides the obvious of the difference of barrel, what does this affect/change photographically if any? The Short Barrel appeals to me because of the (smaller?) footprint.
- My preference would be to use the Electronic Shutter as opposed to the wake up cable due to simplicity, shorter setup time and cost. I read that the read-out for the electronic shutter is around 1.6sec on the IQ3 100MP. How does this correlate to shutter speed (if at all). If I have some flora blowing in the wind and a shutter speed of 1.5sec yields motion blur will the Electronic Shutter also suffer from 'tearing'?
- I use a tripod 99.9% of the time but would love to experience some aerial shooting from the door of a helicopter. I know that the Alpa 12 STC is not the ideal camera for handheld, but can it be done (with difficulty)? Could it be done to a high standard using Electronic Shutter or would a wake up cable be needed? This is currently the only reason for hanging onto the XF but would love to recover some funds if possible.
- I've seen two versions of the ALPA Rodenstock 40mm f/4.0 HR Alpagon, SB17 listed on websites, one with a Gold band, and another with a Blue band around the lens. Which is newer, is there any difference between the two?
- We have 1 supplier here in Australia for this type of gear but am open to overseas suppliers if the price is right, can anyone recommend some? (I'm already familiar with Digital Transitions and know Doug is a proud contributor to the forum). In your experience is there much movement in price with regards to the prices listed on websites? With current exchange rates AUD-USD the outlay is hard to swallow.
- When stitching with Alpa 12 STC using shifts, does this have the same problem with filters as the nodal style of stitching? ie. imagine a Graduated Filter on a 45 degree, when you shift, is the graduation a continuation or does it start again (I hope that makes sense, sorry, not sure how to phrase this question).
- An upgrade to the IQ4 150MP.... could be an option down the track. Not a question, but if there are any considerations I should be aware of please let me know.
Thanks in advance.
Firstly, a little background about myself. I'm a panoramic shooter, (think Peter Lik style), my preferred medium for the past decade has been 6x17 transparencies shot on Velvia 50 mainly with a Fujinon GX617 & 90mm. You just can't beat the colours IMO. Due to the difficulties of servicing my Heidelberg Tango drum scanner here in Australia and increases in Medium Format resolution I purchased a Phase IQ3 100MP XF w/ Schneider 80mm around 2 years back, and then the Schneider 45mm Blue Ring soon after. I'm now looking at switching to a technical camera mostly for size/weight reduction benefits and also the ability for shifts/movements & filterability. I travel a lot for shots and I'm finding the size and weight of my full kit prohibitive.
I'm very much a 'get everything in camera' type of shooter and don't like to stitch or Photoshop. However I've recently found myself in a couple of situations (zero moving elements) where I would consider very occasionally stitching frames with the right equipment. Thanks to two other threads on this forum that I have read religiously I have narrowed down my purchase to the Alpa 12 STC, starting with the ALPA Rodenstock 40mm f/4.0 HR Alpagon (for filterability, size and weight), with plans to add maybe the ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/70 mm later, and possibly ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/23 mm a lot later? Maybe? Although users provided good arguments to Cambo and other systems I knew that I would always lust after the Alpa and would rather spend the extra now than have to switch later.
I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to and hope that some experienced members might be kind enough to answer them for me.
- What is the difference between the ALPA Rodenstock 40mm f/4.0 HR Alpagon, SB17 (Short Barrel) and Long Barrel? Besides the obvious of the difference of barrel, what does this affect/change photographically if any? The Short Barrel appeals to me because of the (smaller?) footprint.
- My preference would be to use the Electronic Shutter as opposed to the wake up cable due to simplicity, shorter setup time and cost. I read that the read-out for the electronic shutter is around 1.6sec on the IQ3 100MP. How does this correlate to shutter speed (if at all). If I have some flora blowing in the wind and a shutter speed of 1.5sec yields motion blur will the Electronic Shutter also suffer from 'tearing'?
- I use a tripod 99.9% of the time but would love to experience some aerial shooting from the door of a helicopter. I know that the Alpa 12 STC is not the ideal camera for handheld, but can it be done (with difficulty)? Could it be done to a high standard using Electronic Shutter or would a wake up cable be needed? This is currently the only reason for hanging onto the XF but would love to recover some funds if possible.
- I've seen two versions of the ALPA Rodenstock 40mm f/4.0 HR Alpagon, SB17 listed on websites, one with a Gold band, and another with a Blue band around the lens. Which is newer, is there any difference between the two?
- We have 1 supplier here in Australia for this type of gear but am open to overseas suppliers if the price is right, can anyone recommend some? (I'm already familiar with Digital Transitions and know Doug is a proud contributor to the forum). In your experience is there much movement in price with regards to the prices listed on websites? With current exchange rates AUD-USD the outlay is hard to swallow.
- When stitching with Alpa 12 STC using shifts, does this have the same problem with filters as the nodal style of stitching? ie. imagine a Graduated Filter on a 45 degree, when you shift, is the graduation a continuation or does it start again (I hope that makes sense, sorry, not sure how to phrase this question).
- An upgrade to the IQ4 150MP.... could be an option down the track. Not a question, but if there are any considerations I should be aware of please let me know.
Thanks in advance.