Makten
Well-known member
I've also thought about a back for my 500 C/M, but just as you suggest, I doubt that the focus accuracy would be good enough. Especially since it's hard enough to get it right with film. Also, probably the old Planar lens is not really up to the task of using with a smallish sensor compared to true 56x56.I went through the same set of considerations, and just bought a H3D-31. I got into MF digital with an amazing deal on an iXpress back for my 500C, but I had so many missed shots due to focus issues, that when the deal on the H came along it was a no-brainer. It is at the end of it's economic life for pros, but as an amateur, I don't care.
The fat pixel back on my V had a special look which I preferred, the 31 is still a CCD and gets files that look a bit like my old M9, but not as wonderful as the iXpress. Also, 22Mpix would have been enough. However, I have never seen a 22 back for sale in my budget, so that made the decision easy. On the upside, the 31 is one stop faster than the 22, and that makes a difference when using the camera outside of the studio. ISO 400 is fine, 800 could be used when in a pinch and being careful exposing. The lens choice is a bit less obvious than for the V series, because of the expense. I am therefore renting different lenses to figure out what works for me.
I have just started testing my new setup and so far I am happy with the choice I made.
Since I would be using this camera in the same way as I do (or did) with film MF, I think the limited ISO performance won't be an issue. Got the a7 with a bunch of fast glass for those occasions.
Also, I'm one of those who love the files from oldish CCD cameras, such as the M8 or M9. There is just something special with the colors, that I don't see in modern cameras (at least no FF or smaller sensors). Probably partly because of the "high ISO race" and low noise priority before nicest possible colors, but that's just my guess.
Regarding lenses, I think I might want a ~50 mm to complement the 80/2.8. But OTOH I like to limit myself, so it all comes down to if I like the AOV of 80 mm enough.
Haha! Yes, I'm glad to be nuts in cases like this. I don't want a "better" camera than my a7, just different. And a 5D mkIV would almost be uninteresting even if I got it for free.I would say you are nuts: A Canon 5DmkIV or equivalent is a better camera in almost every technical metric. The "large sensor" doesn't really offer much benefit over smaller newer sensors.
That said, it is a good kind of nuts, and if you go in understanding it's a 10 year old camera, with all the drawbacks that implies, it can be fun. I chose Phase One when making the same decision last year, picking up an old P30, so that shows how much weight I put in the evaluation above.
My only concern is if the handling – including PP – is just too bloody awkward. OTOH, I've developed slide film at home just for fun, for quite a while. And scanning film must be worse than anything, right? :grin:
I'm one of those guys that shoot like 10 frames on a day. I don't push the trigger before I know it will be an image that I'm happy with. If focus is correct and there is no unintentional motion blur, of course. So in that sense, even if these cameras are sloooow, I guess they would fit me and my intentions.
Now I just got to investigate if the price is right.