I think a good game plan is to work in three year cycles. I purchased a H4D-50 with 3 year lease finance in spring 2010 and I won't consider any change or "upgrade" for three years, that is until Spring 2013. I'm not sure what purpose would be served by even larger files: I like the new high rez screens on the new Phase backs, but as I usually shoot tethered, I'm not sure that is such a big deal either.
USB3/USB2 tethering would mean you could carry a smaller/lighter laptop such as a MacBookAir when traveling (e.g. your "Old Architecture" gallery)
And the Retina LCD and In-Camera Live Preview should be enough to forgo the laptop altogether in situations where you're moving too fast or are in too tight/busy of a space to use a laptop to tether. (e.g. your Red Square Gallery)
The built in IQLevel system would ensure that all your images are perfectly level - a good tripod/bubble-level gets you almost-perfect, the built in digital level and Capture One coordinate to take care of the rest and (optionally) auto-rotate your images that last fraction of a degree. (e.g. your "local countryside" gallery)
The built in battery would allow much easier field use on a tech camera for significantly increased optical quality and movements for all of your landscape/interiors.
The 1/1600th of a sec wireless flash sync without loss of light might be useful for your pouring liquids shots, allowing you to open the aperture for DOF effects and not have to worry about your working/focusing/room lights. (e.g. your food and drink shots)
The Focus Mask would make it very easy for you to verify that you placed focus and have DOF where you wanted/expected even in really bright light and are keeping to a more casual style of shooting (e.g. XKEC event gallery)
When hand holding in available light the sensor+ mode of the IQ180 would give you 20mp at up to ISO3200 (e.g. your "Rochester Dickens Festival") quite possibly removing the need for you to have a dSLR kit as I don't see see any fast moving sports/action shots in your galleries.
Anyway, the point is there are a lot reasons why any particular photographer might consider an upgrade other than resolution. Especially this generational upgrade which is largely focused on usability/features rather than resolution (hence the 40/60 megapixel chips were also included in the new lineup).
There is also sound logic to your statement about skipping a generation (or two) between upgrades. As with anything that costs money you need to step back and ask yourself "what am I getting for what I am paying" - NEVER upgrade just because there is something newer.
Doug Peterson
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