I am quite sure the SL2 has a 3x4 crop mode which also masks the viewfinder.
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leaving medium format and use "just" FF? X2D vs SL2 (or SL3)
- Thread starter Paratom
- Start date
Shashin
Well-known member
I don't use it a great deal right now (I will most likely return to it when the itch is there), but the advantage over FF is the satisfaction it brings me. The only criteria I have for my gear right now is I enjoy using it. I have no technical or practical criteria for the photography I do beyond pleasing myself.
Godfrey
Well-known member
I have loved shooting with medium format film since I started photography way back in the Pleistocene ... 
... and when the Hasselblad 907x 50 Years on the Moon Edition was announced in July 2019, I immediately knew that I had to have one. It arrived 9 months later, along with the 21mm and 45mm lenses. And I added the 90mm and 65mm lenses to it. I swapped the CFVII 50c back onto my Hasselblad 500CM bodies too, and loved the results made either way. The key to the imaging qualities I love, for me, is the extraordinary dynamic range of the 907x/CFVII 50c sensor.
But ... Over the course of this past few years, I have found that the number of times I wanted to carry the bulk and weight of this class of medium format film and digital gear has dropped off to "almost never", and the advent of the Leica M10 Monochrom nets me near equivalent dynamic range and satisfactory enough pixel resolution at near 40Mpixels. So I've had a think about the medium format digital system and whether it is really appropriate for me at this point in time. And I've decided that it's not, not anymore. The M10-M, add an M10-R, will do anything I need in dynamic range and resolution, be a lot handier for me to work with, and I already have most of the lens kit that I need.
I actually made this decision before the holidays and started listing the gear for sale. But then all heck broke loose around me and my family, and I simply didn't get to it. I'm just now climbing my way out of the most recent of these calamities and it seems that things have finally calmed down to the point where I can think about normal life again. So I'll list up what I have in XCD lenses and other gear very soon now.
G
"Equipment is transitory. Photographs endure."
... and when the Hasselblad 907x 50 Years on the Moon Edition was announced in July 2019, I immediately knew that I had to have one. It arrived 9 months later, along with the 21mm and 45mm lenses. And I added the 90mm and 65mm lenses to it. I swapped the CFVII 50c back onto my Hasselblad 500CM bodies too, and loved the results made either way. The key to the imaging qualities I love, for me, is the extraordinary dynamic range of the 907x/CFVII 50c sensor.But ... Over the course of this past few years, I have found that the number of times I wanted to carry the bulk and weight of this class of medium format film and digital gear has dropped off to "almost never", and the advent of the Leica M10 Monochrom nets me near equivalent dynamic range and satisfactory enough pixel resolution at near 40Mpixels. So I've had a think about the medium format digital system and whether it is really appropriate for me at this point in time. And I've decided that it's not, not anymore. The M10-M, add an M10-R, will do anything I need in dynamic range and resolution, be a lot handier for me to work with, and I already have most of the lens kit that I need.
I actually made this decision before the holidays and started listing the gear for sale. But then all heck broke loose around me and my family, and I simply didn't get to it. I'm just now climbing my way out of the most recent of these calamities and it seems that things have finally calmed down to the point where I can think about normal life again. So I'll list up what I have in XCD lenses and other gear very soon now.
G
"Equipment is transitory. Photographs endure."
Ray Harrison
Well-known member
I find that very few people are ever going to be able to name the camera or lens I shoot with and I worry less about both that and justifications for shooting with what I do. They’ll like an image or not, they’ll say “wow” or “bah” or whatever. I use tools I enjoy and…tools are important. I always see the refrain that “a good photographer can use any camera to produce a good photograph”. While there’s truth to that, on the flip side, most don’t use just “any camera”. Most have their preferred and favorite tools. Those may change over time, sure. They have for me. It’s a golden age in many ways for cameras. IQ is great across many. There’s a “paint brush” (or “paint brushes”) for every artist. Depending on the paint brush I choose, how I approach a composition will change.
We often start with someone’s final image and ask: “Can I create a similar image with a FF35 camera that I can create with a MF camera (or vice-versa)”? Technically, it might be close, sure, but if I’m running around with my M11 or d850, I’m going to be in a different mindset than if I were to walk out the door with my Phase gear. I might make different choices in composition and other aspects just by nature of the tool I choose to use. I love them both. I’ve decided that I’m not particularly interested (right now anyway) with having one camera to rule them all. I love having multiple “paint brushes” (yes, yes it sounds hokey). Others may not be able to tell the tool I use, but I can .
We often start with someone’s final image and ask: “Can I create a similar image with a FF35 camera that I can create with a MF camera (or vice-versa)”? Technically, it might be close, sure, but if I’m running around with my M11 or d850, I’m going to be in a different mindset than if I were to walk out the door with my Phase gear. I might make different choices in composition and other aspects just by nature of the tool I choose to use. I love them both. I’ve decided that I’m not particularly interested (right now anyway) with having one camera to rule them all. I love having multiple “paint brushes” (yes, yes it sounds hokey
). Others may not be able to tell the tool I use, but I can .Gofrey, I am quite surprised. You seemed to have so much fun with the 907x and kept posting images. So you really want to get out of it?I have loved shooting with medium format film since I started photography way back in the Pleistocene ...
But ... Over the course of this past few years, I have found that the number of times I wanted to carry the bulk and weight of this class of medium format film and digital gear has dropped off to "almost never", and the advent of the Leica M10 Monochrom nets me near equivalent dynamic range and satisfactory enough pixel resolution at near 40Mpixels. So I've had a think about the medium format digital system and whether it is really appropriate for me at this point in time. And I've decided that it's not, not anymore. The M10-M, add an M10-R, will do anything I need in dynamic range and resolution, be a lot handier for me to work with, and I already have most of the lens kit that I need.
I actually made this decision before the holidays and started listing the gear for sale. But then all heck broke loose around me and my family, and I simply didn't get to it. I'm just now climbing my way out of the most recent of these calamities and it seems that things have finally calmed down to the point where I can think about normal life again. So I'll list up what I have in XCD lenses and other gear very soon now.
G
"Equipment is transitory. Photographs endure."
Hope everything is better again with your family!
Godfrey
Well-known member
I love shooting with Hasselblads, both V and X system! When I do ...
And that's the kicker: I have found, over the past couple of years, that the fantasy of that joy is much greater than the reality of it, for me; I just don't feel the desire to actually do it all that often even if I confine myself to doing still life and table top work around the house. The bulk and weight of the equipment has simply become more than I want to manage. And while I love the rendering qualities of the Hassy sensor, lenses, and software, I have to want to carry it to gain the benefits.
This is not the first time I've had this revelation, btw. It was one of my fundamental issues with the Leica SL system ... the bulk and weight of the camera itself was just a little much, but the bulk and weight of the lenses was too far over the top for me to enjoy using it despite the excellence of the performance ... and other systems before that. I just don't learn, I allow my excitement and joy from the fantasies carry me forward too often. Ach!
I'm pretty convinced now that the Leica M system is about my limit and hope that I'll stick there. I want to forget about acquiring new gear and concentrate more on making photographs that satisfy me.
As a side note: One of my favorite "carry all the time" cameras of all time is the now long-discontinued and misunderstood Light L16. A single package about the size and weight of a folded Kodak Retina IIc, with focal lengths from 28 to 150 mm built-in, and 50 Mpixel output with amazingly broad dynamic range and acutance ... It's simply a great camera despite woeful shortcomings in responsiveness, an only so-so LCD viewfinder only, often clumsy haptics, impossible to use with filters or any kind of remote actuaion, and the need for a dedicated image processing solution to do the image integration/coalescence required. I'll use it (occasionally!) until it dies and honor it as a favorite shelf queen thereafter. It's a medium format camera in output quality, give or take, in a super-cell-phone sized package.
So it goes...
G
addendum: BTW, I'll keep shooting with medium format film using the Voigtländer Perkeo II mostly. I love carrying that camera, it's again about the size of the Kodak Retina IIc folded but with that big 6x6cm negative ...
And that's the kicker: I have found, over the past couple of years, that the fantasy of that joy is much greater than the reality of it, for me; I just don't feel the desire to actually do it all that often even if I confine myself to doing still life and table top work around the house. The bulk and weight of the equipment has simply become more than I want to manage. And while I love the rendering qualities of the Hassy sensor, lenses, and software, I have to want to carry it to gain the benefits.
This is not the first time I've had this revelation, btw. It was one of my fundamental issues with the Leica SL system ... the bulk and weight of the camera itself was just a little much, but the bulk and weight of the lenses was too far over the top for me to enjoy using it despite the excellence of the performance ... and other systems before that. I just don't learn, I allow my excitement and joy from the fantasies carry me forward too often. Ach!
I'm pretty convinced now that the Leica M system is about my limit and hope that I'll stick there. I want to forget about acquiring new gear and concentrate more on making photographs that satisfy me.
As a side note: One of my favorite "carry all the time" cameras of all time is the now long-discontinued and misunderstood Light L16. A single package about the size and weight of a folded Kodak Retina IIc, with focal lengths from 28 to 150 mm built-in, and 50 Mpixel output with amazingly broad dynamic range and acutance ... It's simply a great camera despite woeful shortcomings in responsiveness, an only so-so LCD viewfinder only, often clumsy haptics, impossible to use with filters or any kind of remote actuaion, and the need for a dedicated image processing solution to do the image integration/coalescence required. I'll use it (occasionally!) until it dies and honor it as a favorite shelf queen thereafter. It's a medium format camera in output quality, give or take, in a super-cell-phone sized package.
So it goes...
G
addendum: BTW, I'll keep shooting with medium format film using the Voigtländer Perkeo II mostly. I love carrying that camera, it's again about the size of the Kodak Retina IIc folded but with that big 6x6cm negative ...
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I get what you are saying. Part of it is the reason I started this thread.
This weekend I will go to black forest, some hiking, some XC-skiing and a nice dinner.
First I thought - x2d - dynamic range and resolution for the beautiful landscapes and dynamic range for the snows and sun.
But then it became clear that during skiing I want it light, just a small backpack with some water and a small camera. Canon g1xIII. Or max a Leica M+28/5.6.
And for the hike and evening I will bring the M11 (since I want to bring at least one "real" camera). And its just a small bag with the M11+21-35-75.
Would I go there JUST for photography - I would bring the x2d. However it doesnt happen so often that I go somewhere just for photography.
What you daid about fantasy and reality is valid for some part for me as well. What I "think" I would use a lot and what I really use a lot differs.
But most of the times one finds out only later, after getting and owning all that equipment.
This weekend I will go to black forest, some hiking, some XC-skiing and a nice dinner.
First I thought - x2d - dynamic range and resolution for the beautiful landscapes and dynamic range for the snows and sun.
But then it became clear that during skiing I want it light, just a small backpack with some water and a small camera. Canon g1xIII. Or max a Leica M+28/5.6.
And for the hike and evening I will bring the M11 (since I want to bring at least one "real" camera). And its just a small bag with the M11+21-35-75.
Would I go there JUST for photography - I would bring the x2d. However it doesnt happen so often that I go somewhere just for photography.
What you daid about fantasy and reality is valid for some part for me as well. What I "think" I would use a lot and what I really use a lot differs.
But most of the times one finds out only later, after getting and owning all that equipment.
rdeloe
Well-known member
Being realistic with oneself can lead to significantly reduced gear purchase.
For what it's worth, my approach is to ask myself, "What can I do with this equipment I would like to buy that I can't do now with what I have?", and "Is there any evidence that I would actually do this thing I've convinced myself I can only do with this new equipment?"
Wow, that would be very tough for me. It would probably allow me to only keep my Canon R5 or R3 since this is the system which can do nearly everything from fast action to landscape, with maybe some slight scrifieces in IQ and simplicity.Being realistic with oneself can lead to significantly reduced gear purchase.
For what it's worth, my approach is to ask myself, "What can I do with this equipment I would like to buy that I can't do now with what I have?", and "Is there any evidence that I would actually do this thing I've convinced myself I can only do with this new equipment?"
rdeloe
Well-known member
If I lived faithfully by that rule, I would have a lot less camera stuff in shelves and drawers.
Just looked at this thread. It seems many of us are asking similar questions for perhaps different reasons.
Like you I have been a long time M user. For some reason that is the camera system I keep coming back to over 13 years in digital photography.
Sure I talked myself into Phase gear with the 39MP P45+ on a Hassy SWC and 503CW. I should have just stopped there, but after viewing large prints I convinced myself I needed a large (24 or 44!!) printer. To make the printer function with my gear I then convinced myself to get an Alpa system with eventually 5 lenses (40,70,90,150,210) and worked my way past 39MP to 100MP Phase and then 150MP. I loved the challenge of creating those images because when you get it right the satisfaction is enormous, but found myself using it less and less as I became older and older. Like someone else said, non-photographers either love, like or dismiss images and could care less about the gear, only about the image.
My wife paints and after looking around the now smaller house there is very little room for more on our walls especially large prints, meaning larger than 17x22. So I never bought the large printer and stuck with my 17" printer where I have now amassed well over 100 prints, many in boxes.
We have no kids (nor dog as of today) so AF systems are less important to me than a system that talks to me in a special way where I feel really good using it and where it inspires me to take steps toward better image making. That to me means it inspires me to get out and photograph and envision new projects at home and for travel.
So I sold Sony due to it not having a voice with me and lately sold all my Fuji GFX gear planted behind the 100S. Why did I get this gear? Because I told myself I still needed MF get to make good images. How stupid of me. Inspiration helps me make good images.
I made an eventful trip to Morocco some years ago and found the XT-2 was terrific for my needs, especially in a culture where strange men should not take photographs of strange women. During COVID I made several books, one of which was about just a few special days during the one month Moroccan trip. It was about Berber life and the small port city of Essaouira. That book has thrilled many people from many cultures including Moroccans. Is not that the end game? Not one person asked about the camera system used. Not one.
So in my last gear migration I have decided to go back to a system that worked and inspired me , but which had AF. Even though I still have Leica M gear, I returned to Fuji with the XT-5. Small form factor if you allow it (meaning stay away from large lenses) with an analog (Leica like) operation-using 3 parameters-SS, ISO and f stop. It is about the size of an M, but with AF lenses the size of Leica M MF lenses. Both of these systems will allow for large images if one is compelled to go big. To be honest I all too often find myself posting images instead of printing images anymore. I should print more often as I have hundreds of pages of unused inkjet printing paper just begging me to use it.
This is too long, but the bottom line is use what inspires you within your budget. If you and others like what you produce that should be enough. End of story.
Like you I have been a long time M user. For some reason that is the camera system I keep coming back to over 13 years in digital photography.
Sure I talked myself into Phase gear with the 39MP P45+ on a Hassy SWC and 503CW. I should have just stopped there, but after viewing large prints I convinced myself I needed a large (24 or 44!!) printer. To make the printer function with my gear I then convinced myself to get an Alpa system with eventually 5 lenses (40,70,90,150,210) and worked my way past 39MP to 100MP Phase and then 150MP. I loved the challenge of creating those images because when you get it right the satisfaction is enormous, but found myself using it less and less as I became older and older. Like someone else said, non-photographers either love, like or dismiss images and could care less about the gear, only about the image.
My wife paints and after looking around the now smaller house there is very little room for more on our walls especially large prints, meaning larger than 17x22. So I never bought the large printer and stuck with my 17" printer where I have now amassed well over 100 prints, many in boxes.
We have no kids (nor dog as of today) so AF systems are less important to me than a system that talks to me in a special way where I feel really good using it and where it inspires me to take steps toward better image making. That to me means it inspires me to get out and photograph and envision new projects at home and for travel.
So I sold Sony due to it not having a voice with me and lately sold all my Fuji GFX gear planted behind the 100S. Why did I get this gear? Because I told myself I still needed MF get to make good images. How stupid of me. Inspiration helps me make good images.
I made an eventful trip to Morocco some years ago and found the XT-2 was terrific for my needs, especially in a culture where strange men should not take photographs of strange women. During COVID I made several books, one of which was about just a few special days during the one month Moroccan trip. It was about Berber life and the small port city of Essaouira. That book has thrilled many people from many cultures including Moroccans. Is not that the end game? Not one person asked about the camera system used. Not one.
So in my last gear migration I have decided to go back to a system that worked and inspired me , but which had AF. Even though I still have Leica M gear, I returned to Fuji with the XT-5. Small form factor if you allow it (meaning stay away from large lenses) with an analog (Leica like) operation-using 3 parameters-SS, ISO and f stop. It is about the size of an M, but with AF lenses the size of Leica M MF lenses. Both of these systems will allow for large images if one is compelled to go big. To be honest I all too often find myself posting images instead of printing images anymore. I should print more often as I have hundreds of pages of unused inkjet printing paper just begging me to use it.
This is too long, but the bottom line is use what inspires you within your budget. If you and others like what you produce that should be enough. End of story.
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Thats a great post..just today sell my Epson 7900. 92 prints in 10 years
Well, I also had/have an A2 printer which I use more often, but also not very often.
But yes, I have some prints on my walls and I sometimes give (smaller) prints to friends etc.
And I enjoy it, but the A2 printer is fine for me now and if I want bigger I will just order a big print.
What I wonder regarding the xt-5 - do you feel you get close to the same IQ like the Leica?
Well, I also had/have an A2 printer which I use more often, but also not very often.
But yes, I have some prints on my walls and I sometimes give (smaller) prints to friends etc.
And I enjoy it, but the A2 printer is fine for me now and if I want bigger I will just order a big print.
What I wonder regarding the xt-5 - do you feel you get close to the same IQ like the Leica?
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bab
Active member
It’s not clear in my mind why camera manufacturers can’t produce a camera with lenses that would best the photo genres wanted by most photographers knowing what photographers complain about.
Sony great job needs firmware date for A1. I own it.
Phase One ? Tried leasing through dealers making the pricing outrageous. Would of owned it!
Hasselblad owned all old ones the company was great then, as mentioned above no live histogram why not? Own the H6D 100c plus most lenses my go to camera for studio and some landscape work.
Leica SL-2 could work for all genres biggest issues with native lenses way to heavy. Owned film and M cameras sold off everything due to my ability to get sharp focus out of rangefinder’!
Canon shot it for years it’s the same as Nikon a life style.
Fuji wow four years five cameras all lenses just didn’t get critical focus, colors great, pulling shadows ok, highlights ok nothing great…best jpegs OOC ever. Sold it all, no regrets.
Best advice get the camera that does 80% of what you need buy two bodies and four lenses at most! Shoot lots of images and hope you have enough time to PP.
Sony great job needs firmware date for A1. I own it.
Phase One ? Tried leasing through dealers making the pricing outrageous. Would of owned it!
Hasselblad owned all old ones the company was great then, as mentioned above no live histogram why not? Own the H6D 100c plus most lenses my go to camera for studio and some landscape work.
Leica SL-2 could work for all genres biggest issues with native lenses way to heavy. Owned film and M cameras sold off everything due to my ability to get sharp focus out of rangefinder’!
Canon shot it for years it’s the same as Nikon a life style.
Fuji wow four years five cameras all lenses just didn’t get critical focus, colors great, pulling shadows ok, highlights ok nothing great…best jpegs OOC ever. Sold it all, no regrets.
Best advice get the camera that does 80% of what you need buy two bodies and four lenses at most! Shoot lots of images and hope you have enough time to PP.
PeterA
Well-known member
These days all I care about is [size+weight] / [acceptable image quality] - that is my personal amenity and utility equation.
My complete Fuji GFX system and lenses was sold for a switch into the X11D in preparation for the 100MP X2 or whatever it is called (only because of smaller size) - a camera I dont think I will buy because it doesn't even have focus peaking and when I add a 35-70mm lens it all starts to look pretty much the same as my SL2 system and lenses - ironically looking to get smaller in MF has seen me reject both the Hasselblad and Leica SL2 systems- because quite frankly I dont like the weight and size of these systems anymore. They are both fantastic cameras and lens systems as was the Fuji GFX100 - but if I am not predisposed to carrying them around because they are just too big - their amenity and utility for me is too low.
My most used camera is my Q2Mochrome after which is my Leica M11 - even the M11 gets a bit too heavy when walking around all day with a spare lens in a pocket - and I dont like carrying it when riding my motorbike.
Everyone has different use/need cases and often they change - the good thing is that no manufacturer makes bad cameras or lenses - they are all good use what works for you and makes you happy.
My complete Fuji GFX system and lenses was sold for a switch into the X11D in preparation for the 100MP X2 or whatever it is called (only because of smaller size) - a camera I dont think I will buy because it doesn't even have focus peaking and when I add a 35-70mm lens it all starts to look pretty much the same as my SL2 system and lenses - ironically looking to get smaller in MF has seen me reject both the Hasselblad and Leica SL2 systems- because quite frankly I dont like the weight and size of these systems anymore. They are both fantastic cameras and lens systems as was the Fuji GFX100 - but if I am not predisposed to carrying them around because they are just too big - their amenity and utility for me is too low.
My most used camera is my Q2Mochrome after which is my Leica M11 - even the M11 gets a bit too heavy when walking around all day with a spare lens in a pocket - and I dont like carrying it when riding my motorbike.
Everyone has different use/need cases and often they change - the good thing is that no manufacturer makes bad cameras or lenses - they are all good use what works for you and makes you happy.
atanabe
Member
Hi, I am Al, I am a gearhead...
I can relate to the conundrum of having the means to buy gear for the express purpose of making images only to find one in dyer need of a sherpa to carry it. Been through the range of camera gear both film and now digital in the quest of the perfect balance of image quality and the practicality of schlepping it around. In reviewing my images in Lightroom over the past two decades, I can pick out the images shot with the various brands of cameras readily. I can revel in the details brought out by the various brands of lenses, marvel in the color balance of the sensor. Occasionally, I am surprised by a ringer image that defies all logic based on sensor size and camera brand. In the end, the best images that I have taken are all with the camera that I had in hand at the time. Limits as to how big I can print them aside, they all produce a pleasing image that I recorded and can view them at a normal print size. If it was shot with a 1" sensor or an 8x10 piece of film, images that I capture must first please me, if I am not comfortable carrying the gear, my experience and subsequent images will suffer.
Age is quickly catching up with me, the tiny and capable Leica M is useless without IBIS for my shaky hands, bye M... Other FF options that have IBIS also have large, heavy, obtrusive optics, sigh... The Hasselblad X2D with a 38V fills the bill for me currently not too big, large sensor to do whatever I need and great image quality. The look into my Lightroom library revealed that 75% of my images were taken with a 28-35mm focal length. So all the other lenses that I schlepped around got 25% of the use. HHHMMMMMMM
I can relate to the conundrum of having the means to buy gear for the express purpose of making images only to find one in dyer need of a sherpa to carry it. Been through the range of camera gear both film and now digital in the quest of the perfect balance of image quality and the practicality of schlepping it around. In reviewing my images in Lightroom over the past two decades, I can pick out the images shot with the various brands of cameras readily. I can revel in the details brought out by the various brands of lenses, marvel in the color balance of the sensor. Occasionally, I am surprised by a ringer image that defies all logic based on sensor size and camera brand. In the end, the best images that I have taken are all with the camera that I had in hand at the time. Limits as to how big I can print them aside, they all produce a pleasing image that I recorded and can view them at a normal print size. If it was shot with a 1" sensor or an 8x10 piece of film, images that I capture must first please me, if I am not comfortable carrying the gear, my experience and subsequent images will suffer.
Age is quickly catching up with me, the tiny and capable Leica M is useless without IBIS for my shaky hands, bye M... Other FF options that have IBIS also have large, heavy, obtrusive optics, sigh... The Hasselblad X2D with a 38V fills the bill for me currently not too big, large sensor to do whatever I need and great image quality. The look into my Lightroom library revealed that 75% of my images were taken with a 28-35mm focal length. So all the other lenses that I schlepped around got 25% of the use. HHHMMMMMMM
Paul Spinnler
Well-known member
Could it be that the average age of P1 / tech cam owners is 40-60 and that, as time passes, the wish for more compact systems (due to age, newer high-res alternatives) and lower money spend has cought up with that user group while the newer generation doesnt have the means and perceived need to go MFD anymore given good options like SL2, CaNikon, Hassy / Fuji?
Maybe we are transitioning into a sort of demographic crush for the digital back crowd?
Maybe we've entered a downward cycle for high end MFD as we know it exacerbated by the pandemic as catalyst for an economic / job reset for a lot of photogs and the crowding out of the P1 tech cam stuff by the lower end crop MFD systems and high end 35mm offerings?
What I am saying - 15 years ago, 25-45 something photographers "needed" to own a P30 / P45, etc. kind of system with a 35 XL or so to be on top of their game while FF digital was just getting started with the M9 and Canon 5D MK I; the quality difference was enormous between high end FF 35mm and MFD.
As technology evolved, that gap closed while the price delta increased between the worlds. Look at x-shutter HR lens prices now. One XT 90mm lens buys you a Canon and what 3 lenses?
Current gen 25-35 photographers need to be multimedia savvy (video as well) and do not have the cash to spend on a full blown P1 kit and there are also not the clients anymore that pay for it.
Basically the tech cam owners are ageing and want smaller, lighter stuff and the young ones cannot afford and justify it anymore via client willingness / needs.
High-end MFD is a luxury niche now and less than before the top-end of the professional world (of course still many pros use MFD digital, but not like in the past).
P1 is apparently firing all of its sales reps in Germany at the moment. No more demos at your studio.
World has changed.
Maybe we are transitioning into a sort of demographic crush for the digital back crowd?
Maybe we've entered a downward cycle for high end MFD as we know it exacerbated by the pandemic as catalyst for an economic / job reset for a lot of photogs and the crowding out of the P1 tech cam stuff by the lower end crop MFD systems and high end 35mm offerings?
What I am saying - 15 years ago, 25-45 something photographers "needed" to own a P30 / P45, etc. kind of system with a 35 XL or so to be on top of their game while FF digital was just getting started with the M9 and Canon 5D MK I; the quality difference was enormous between high end FF 35mm and MFD.
As technology evolved, that gap closed while the price delta increased between the worlds. Look at x-shutter HR lens prices now. One XT 90mm lens buys you a Canon and what 3 lenses?
Current gen 25-35 photographers need to be multimedia savvy (video as well) and do not have the cash to spend on a full blown P1 kit and there are also not the clients anymore that pay for it.
Basically the tech cam owners are ageing and want smaller, lighter stuff and the young ones cannot afford and justify it anymore via client willingness / needs.
High-end MFD is a luxury niche now and less than before the top-end of the professional world (of course still many pros use MFD digital, but not like in the past).
P1 is apparently firing all of its sales reps in Germany at the moment. No more demos at your studio.
World has changed.
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jotloob
Subscriber Member
Very well said . This is exactly my thinking too . Thank you .
Yes, well said Paul. The new gen of photographers need or want video. As an older photographer of 55 years, photography never included video since that was left to the cinematographers in Hollywood and family movie creators. Remember those old home movies?
BTW, many schools in my area insist young people first start with B&W and chemical darkroom techniques before "graduating" to digital. I applaud that approach. It also encourages many to review books with the old master's images. This inspires a new generation who appreciate film usage.
Maybe my hands are not as steady as when I started serious photography, but thank gosh the M11 has a hybrid shutter capable of 1/16,000 per second and the XT-5 can go up to 1/180,000/sec. Modernity of gear has helped me in these cases.
I wonder if the impact of Fuji MF cameras started and accelerated the trend away from MFD at about the same time as many of us older users were contemplating downsizing our gear and migrating away from MFD. Or did we just need a reason? G.A.S.?
BTW, many schools in my area insist young people first start with B&W and chemical darkroom techniques before "graduating" to digital. I applaud that approach. It also encourages many to review books with the old master's images. This inspires a new generation who appreciate film usage.
Maybe my hands are not as steady as when I started serious photography, but thank gosh the M11 has a hybrid shutter capable of 1/16,000 per second and the XT-5 can go up to 1/180,000/sec. Modernity of gear has helped me in these cases.
I wonder if the impact of Fuji MF cameras started and accelerated the trend away from MFD at about the same time as many of us older users were contemplating downsizing our gear and migrating away from MFD. Or did we just need a reason? G.A.S.?