One thing that was very important for the MF users has now become a thing of the past.
Hasselblad was being criticized for deciding to va a "closed" system, and Phase and others were preferred greatly because of the ability to interchange components to some extent.
However now the industry is reducing to 2 or 3 (Hasselblad, Phase, Leica-if succesfull) main groups, and if you notice, all are heading to closed system eventually. No one can say that Leica is an open system for example. But Hasselblad is still accused for doing that, while Leicaphiles have not noticed that for Leica's strategy. Now Phase is in the same process, but not there yet completely. If you buy all your open system competitors, then what is left?
I own Hasselblad and Leica M8, and all Mamiya film cameras and lenses. I have no prejudice for any. For me the results count. And the moment I bought the HCD28 and HCD35-90 lenses, I agreed for the first time with Hasselblad's closed system. Otherwise I always had hoped to be able to use my existing DB with my Mamiya cameras. But not anymore.
The reason is the outstanding results that you get from a system, since lenses are designed accordingly, with compromises that may effectively be corrected with software, while improving the glass for other things. The result is just hard to beleive.
I like the HCD28, which is uncomparible with anything I have used until now. The HCD35-90 similarly is better than any 35mm or Mamiya zooms I heve used in the past. These are not even comparible.
Therefore from now on, I have to agree that "clsed systems" may yield better results, despite being more expensive and difficult to upgrade. The moves that are being made by Phase also excites me, because they have to be the side to push for further developments (hopefully not for even more pixels, but for photographic quality too, as they have always done).
I just wanted to remind you of the old discussion regarding Hasselblad's strategy. I know here is dangerous ground to write to. But these are also facts.
We need at least 3 competitors for better pricing and quality, and have to wish success to all 3 contenders to please stay afloat and continue to do the good products without further buying each other from now on.
Steve