Personally, with the benefit of some experience now, I'd go for the best lenses and system first. The backs (I've had aptus 65, 2x P25+, P40+, IQ160 and now IQ260) are great but they're ALL great and you can shoot whatever you need even with the limitations of the P+ or Leaf backs vs the wonderful IQ series. I'd go for a perfect Rodie lens setup and MAX or FPS and a P45+ vs my IQ260 with the benefit of hindsight.
$0.02
Graham, your insights are important as you are out there shooting with this gear, so I'm sure there are lots of little tricks you've learnt along the way. I've been reading this forum back to front and upside down trying to pick up the gems of advice that ARE there for the searching. I've read many of your posts, looked at many of your images and am blown away - your work is inspiring!
So very interesting that your take on this is to concentrate on the body and lens system and go with whatever back is great value.
I agree.
But to hear it from you really confirms it for me and takes away any doubts i had.
I am going to go for the Max or XY, FPS (because i really want to try old lens systems - not looking for "perfect" - looking for character) and will get some technical lenses for those - "needs to be technical perfection" , times.
I think whatever ideas i have today will look much different a year from now though, so as always, its best to stay flexible .I think i know what i want to shoot and how i want to do it, but who knows up the track what my interests will turn into. I think the FPS covers that angle quite well. The Max or XY will give me the shifting i want to get into.
Thank you for your comments, highly appreciated!