Dear members
I am a Canon DSLR non-professional (do not make my living from photography) type of person, looking to get my feet wet with Medium Format (MF). I am intrigued by all the Image Quality references I hear about everywhere and when I see images taken with MF cameras I am wowed...
Trying to decide which equipment to buy (used) and have been going back and forth between used and part new part used.
Also been reading various forum posts and watching promotional videos, and anything in between.
Bottom line is I am confused.
So basically there are 2 camps, the Hasselblad (H5D-40) and Phase One (645DF+ or XF) that I am considering. In either case I like the IQ140, I like the ability to use the LCD to check focus and I am told these are the best.
I have a several questions bugging me regarding the Medium Format cameras/systems for the style of shooting I do. Which is mainly Indoor portraiture and outdoor editorial/fashion style. With that in mind can you please help me with the following questions.
1. Is the Hasselblad H5D True Focus system truly revolutionary? How does it work compared to say the 645DF+ or XF? I had read somewhere the new Phase One XF even though has a new AF system, it still will run into the same issues as the 645DF+ when it comes to focus and recompose which is what I do alot. Maybe at F8 or F9 it does not matter, but definately at wide open.
2 Do most users of MF on fashion/Editorial shoots using tethered? Is the ability of the IQ2 series backs to Wifi replace the need to tether and if so do the professionals no longer tether? or are you guys soley relying on the LCD to check focus?
3. I am hearing on the Phase One forums that it is not uncommon for 645DF+ bodies malfunction or the lenses to lockup? I have not been able to find similar lockup issues for the Hasselblad's. Maybe I am not looking at the right place? or are they just more reliable?
4. How much of a big difference does 1/1600 as opposed to 1/800 really make in practice when shooting fashion/editorial outside? I mean those with Hasselblad's do you wish you could go to 1/1600? or does 1/800 work fine?
5. Does the newer CMOS sensors really make that much of a difference if all I want to do is shoot with strobe or in bright light? I honestly don't think I will be shooting high ISO's just to get a shot...or would this help if I was shooting natural light portraiture as I do with my 5D mk3 and Zeis Otus fully open at f/1.4? Can that be done with the CCD backs satisfactorily?
6. Is there a big difference between the IQ2 series digital backs when trying to check focus on the LCD? or is a IQ140 just as good? Where do CREDO backs fit in all this?
7. When comparing Hassie and Phase One, does the fact that the Hassie is being marked down considerably not mean it is a great deal? Somewhere I had read about Phase One units/digital backs loose close to 40% straight after purchase...so does that not put both in the same bucket?
8. Why would I not get the best of both worlds and get a Hasselblad H5X and IQ140, that way I get True Focus, better LCD and ability to use C1 for RAW conversion?
9. Are the schneider lenses and Hasselblad lenses equally as good? or is the quality of one blow the other out of the water? I am interested in 110-150mm focal length.
Your comments greatly appreciated.
I am a Canon DSLR non-professional (do not make my living from photography) type of person, looking to get my feet wet with Medium Format (MF). I am intrigued by all the Image Quality references I hear about everywhere and when I see images taken with MF cameras I am wowed...
Trying to decide which equipment to buy (used) and have been going back and forth between used and part new part used.
Also been reading various forum posts and watching promotional videos, and anything in between.
Bottom line is I am confused.
So basically there are 2 camps, the Hasselblad (H5D-40) and Phase One (645DF+ or XF) that I am considering. In either case I like the IQ140, I like the ability to use the LCD to check focus and I am told these are the best.
I have a several questions bugging me regarding the Medium Format cameras/systems for the style of shooting I do. Which is mainly Indoor portraiture and outdoor editorial/fashion style. With that in mind can you please help me with the following questions.
1. Is the Hasselblad H5D True Focus system truly revolutionary? How does it work compared to say the 645DF+ or XF? I had read somewhere the new Phase One XF even though has a new AF system, it still will run into the same issues as the 645DF+ when it comes to focus and recompose which is what I do alot. Maybe at F8 or F9 it does not matter, but definately at wide open.
2 Do most users of MF on fashion/Editorial shoots using tethered? Is the ability of the IQ2 series backs to Wifi replace the need to tether and if so do the professionals no longer tether? or are you guys soley relying on the LCD to check focus?
3. I am hearing on the Phase One forums that it is not uncommon for 645DF+ bodies malfunction or the lenses to lockup? I have not been able to find similar lockup issues for the Hasselblad's. Maybe I am not looking at the right place? or are they just more reliable?
4. How much of a big difference does 1/1600 as opposed to 1/800 really make in practice when shooting fashion/editorial outside? I mean those with Hasselblad's do you wish you could go to 1/1600? or does 1/800 work fine?
5. Does the newer CMOS sensors really make that much of a difference if all I want to do is shoot with strobe or in bright light? I honestly don't think I will be shooting high ISO's just to get a shot...or would this help if I was shooting natural light portraiture as I do with my 5D mk3 and Zeis Otus fully open at f/1.4? Can that be done with the CCD backs satisfactorily?
6. Is there a big difference between the IQ2 series digital backs when trying to check focus on the LCD? or is a IQ140 just as good? Where do CREDO backs fit in all this?
7. When comparing Hassie and Phase One, does the fact that the Hassie is being marked down considerably not mean it is a great deal? Somewhere I had read about Phase One units/digital backs loose close to 40% straight after purchase...so does that not put both in the same bucket?
8. Why would I not get the best of both worlds and get a Hasselblad H5X and IQ140, that way I get True Focus, better LCD and ability to use C1 for RAW conversion?
9. Are the schneider lenses and Hasselblad lenses equally as good? or is the quality of one blow the other out of the water? I am interested in 110-150mm focal length.
Your comments greatly appreciated.