I would be happy to explain ... keeping in mind it is a personal opinion.Marc,
1) Please can you describe what do you mean by "experiential traditions"?
2) It astonishes me, given that Canon first provided an electronic first curtain shutter in a DSLR six years ago, eliminating shake caused by the camera.
3) Now that's ironic (refer to previous comment). Perhaps gourmet food outlets should try flipping a few burgers?
1) By "experiential traditions" I mean the separate digital back that allows cross mounting on other type cameras that so many "contemplative" photographers prefer. It promotes a different experience or relationship with photography that is more studied and precision oriented. People fuss with minutia on their tech cameras to tune them like Formula One race cars. There is also a similar relationship in some type studios and various institutions. I spent a lot of time perfecting my full movement Rollie Xact-II with a DB for very precise capture of precision product photography in studio ... however, I could mount the same back on a MF SLR and shoot a portrait of the CEO of that precision manufacturer.
I think it is often forgotten where these MFD systems came from. Many professional photographers were MF shooters, and the evolution of digital capture was forced on them by the rapid change of media over to digital reproduction. There was no D800 " good enough" alternative for a very, very long time. That MFD spread rapidly to advanced enthusiasts, or those involved in studied artistic pursuits like landscape photographers, is what helped keep it advancing ... but those advancements were still dedicated to a specific type enthusiasts experience or professional need.
While that may well change, I'd be sad to see it alter too far from being an alternative to the homogenized thrust so many seem to be clamoring for.
2) Interesting. I suspect that is possible due to a substantially smaller sensor, and that it is a CMOS feed ... but I wouldn't know for certain. I am certain that I do not want a Canon to do the work I do with MFD. I've fallen for the hype in past, and tried many times resulting in epic fails. Others may well succeed where I failed, but I really don't care since I get the job done with what I already have :thumbup:
3) Okay.
- Marc