Hi experts,
I am considering getting into Digital MF. Currently, I mainly used Leica Monochrom and Leica M. Rangefinder Leica has been my companion and best tool for a while. Yet I have also been a little dissatisfied with the limitation of the 35mm sensor, especially when I try to make prints larger than 17x22. Driven by the search for better image quality, I took class in large format film photography, and have been shooting 4x5 and 5x7, but i find the workflow of film still more depressing than liberating. I am a generalist. I do not specialize in one genre. I am not a commercial photographer either, and I treat photography as art. All my projects are personal projects, some landscape, some urban places, people and street photography too.
I am wondering which of the following would be a good start for me in digital mf:
1. Leica S or S2.
Pro: most versatile, best lenses
Con: small sensor, less pixels, high price
Neutral: 2x3 ratio
2. Hasselblad CFV-39 or CFV-50 back with 500cm V system
Pro: I already have the film body and 2 lenses. Large Sensor
Con: some integration problems between back and machine
Lens might not be adequate to resolve for the sensor
3. Phase one p45+/p65+ with Hasseblad V system
similar pros and cons to the CFV backs
4. Hasselblad H5D40
I am not familiar with the H system. Looks big and cumbersome.
I know about the Pentax 645Z or Mamiya options, but I am not keen on them at all. I handled a Phase one 645df camera, but did not like it at all.
I am most interested in the Leica S, but I am wondering whether it does have significant advantages in image quality over the 35 DSLRS such as Nikon D800e or D810. I also like manual focus, but I have no idea whether Leica S and its lenses are good for manual focus too.
IF you can offer some suggestions, it will be great.
Yours,
George
I am considering getting into Digital MF. Currently, I mainly used Leica Monochrom and Leica M. Rangefinder Leica has been my companion and best tool for a while. Yet I have also been a little dissatisfied with the limitation of the 35mm sensor, especially when I try to make prints larger than 17x22. Driven by the search for better image quality, I took class in large format film photography, and have been shooting 4x5 and 5x7, but i find the workflow of film still more depressing than liberating. I am a generalist. I do not specialize in one genre. I am not a commercial photographer either, and I treat photography as art. All my projects are personal projects, some landscape, some urban places, people and street photography too.
I am wondering which of the following would be a good start for me in digital mf:
1. Leica S or S2.
Pro: most versatile, best lenses
Con: small sensor, less pixels, high price
Neutral: 2x3 ratio
2. Hasselblad CFV-39 or CFV-50 back with 500cm V system
Pro: I already have the film body and 2 lenses. Large Sensor
Con: some integration problems between back and machine
Lens might not be adequate to resolve for the sensor
3. Phase one p45+/p65+ with Hasseblad V system
similar pros and cons to the CFV backs
4. Hasselblad H5D40
I am not familiar with the H system. Looks big and cumbersome.
I know about the Pentax 645Z or Mamiya options, but I am not keen on them at all. I handled a Phase one 645df camera, but did not like it at all.
I am most interested in the Leica S, but I am wondering whether it does have significant advantages in image quality over the 35 DSLRS such as Nikon D800e or D810. I also like manual focus, but I have no idea whether Leica S and its lenses are good for manual focus too.
IF you can offer some suggestions, it will be great.
Yours,
George