Hi Victor,
If your lenses keep up with the sensor an increase in sensor resolution will increase sharpness in a print. Looking on screen at actual pixels, it will probably not be the case as you would look at the image at a higher resolution.
If the GFX using an 100 MP sensor can hold up with the IQ3100MP is a bit hard to tell. Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on the lenses. In theory, designing the GFX lenses for a smaller format would make it possible to achieve better correction. Indeed, when Jim Kasson tested the Fuji lenses he found that they are extraordinary. But, Fuji uses a small trick to improve sharpness and that is to reduce the pixel aperture.
Using the presumed 100 MP GFX with the Phase One lenses, I don't think the GFX would keep up. The GFX would need higher magnification for any detail. So, I don't think so.
How the GFX sensors will work with view camera lenses is an open question. A smaller sensor will allow for more shift, but how angular effects are handled is a different question. We have to wait and see.
In general, a smaller sensor needs less stopping down for same DoF, and that may help sharpness as most lenses will be in diffraction affected territory at f/11. Actually, I mostly use f/11 with my Hasselblad V/P45+ combo. It is not so easy to focus exactly, and I don't think I will give upp that much sharpness. On the A7rII I use f/8. I know I loose some sharpness with some lenses but it seems to be a decent compromise. With tilts I use f/11 or f/13. It is seldom that the tilted focal plane matches the subject plane exactly.
So, I am very positive about the GFX (and the X1D) to offer a competitive alternative to the 54x40 mm 100MP backs. But 150MP is around the corner.
My perception is that Phase One is more of a 54x40 mm sensor player, my guess is that they are comfortable with the price level. Hasselblad, I guess they are more focused on 44x33 mm at lower price and higher volume. They have adjusted the price of the H6D50c down to the price of an X1D + an H5X. Seems reasonable... But the H6D100c is priced like Phase One IQ3100MP. Hasselblad needs to sell many X1Ds as earning per camera body are probably not that high.
But, I am just an interested bystander, the P45+ was my last venture in MFD. But, yes, I feel the GFX makes a lot of sense.
Best regards
Erik
Erik...... I always appreciate your contributions. I know just enough of this to be a little dangerous. The absolute bottom line for me is the print and how all of this will manifest itself at my print sizes. I'm always printing at 40 to 44 inches on the long side. With my current back (Phase 3100) this means almost (0) upsizing (native size of a file is 38 inches on the long side). I shoot at F11 almost exclusively and can see the effects of stopping down further on screen and print. If a 150MP back would keep me at the same level of sharpness at the same print sizes then I would consider that keeping me whole. However, and this has nothing to do with diffraction, it would never be worth $25,000.00 out of my pocket. If a GFX at 100MP can give me the same image I am getting now at the same aperture and size then that would be a very attractive system for me as I would be able to take advantage of all of my Schneider lenses and the movements of my Actus.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.......
Victor
