Thanks Marc and David.
I'd really appreciate some controlled tests comparing the H4D-31 and H4D-40 through the ISO range in contrasty light. If Hasselblad are prepared to do this themselves I'd be really, really impressed. The new H4D-31 is at a price that is seriously attractive to me but I wonder if I should push for the more expensive 40. The differences in resolution would probably almost be unnoticeable for me as I only print up to 20 x 25", but I wonder if I'd notice a difference in DR and noise between 100ISO and 400ISO that would justify the extra ticket price.
Thanks to you both again for your input.
Tim
Those are very good questions Tim. With a 20" X 25" print I'd say the difference would be more apparent to the viewing eye in the higher ISO range than at 100 and 200 ... specifically 400, 800 and 1600. More specifically 800, which is really a threshold I try not to breach even with high-end 35 mm DSLRs, like the Sony A900 and Nikon D3X I've used.
In my experience, the real world translation of the incremental gains you get with
evolutionary sensor unit development (Hasselbald or any other DB) is "forgiveness". The newer backs are a little more forgiving of slight exposure errors at all ISOs ... especially noticeable to the eye in the shadow areas and over-all color. You can push around the 40 file in post a little more than the 31. If I recall correctly, Guy Mancuso has said something similar about his P40+ compared to his previous P30+.
That said, I LOVED my H3D-II/31 and did paying jobs that were enlarged to 6' or 8' for lobby displays and trade-show booth mounted prints that were viewed pretty close up.
Which revealed another advantage of MFD over 35mm DSLRs ... the files definitely interpolate up-res better when using programs like Genuine Fractals ... or even just PS for that matter.
"No other manufacturer has published such a test."
As a former advertising guy, I'd think there is probably a good reason they have not ... usually comparison efforts are competitive marketing to sell one maker's digital back over another... or more commonly, MFD over 35mm DSLRs. I would think publishing definitive tests showing a comparison of maker's line of backs could be disheartening to those who can't afford a H4D/40 over the new entry level H4D/31. Just an opinion, and Hasselbald may think differently. But man, that would be a lot of work to really do it right ... :ROTFL: I've not seen many such comparisons that weren't lightening rods for criticism of the test methods employed matter who was doing the comparison :talk028:
-Marc