Anyone have experience with medium format digital?

[archipirata]

Going back to school to work on a visual communication masters in photography. One requirement is a medium format with a digital back. I am familiar with the major brands, hasselblad, mamiya, phase one, etc. It looks like the base price for a setup with body, back, and a couple lenses will be $12,000 to $15,000. I have never used any of the digital backs and am looking for feedback. Thanks.

[Kraniac]

Jeez, that's a heavy requirement..sounds fishy to me coming from a school.

From what I've gathered..the new Sony A900 (dslr) is producing some excellent results @ 24 megapixs. 3 grand, no lens.

I've Seen some compares where folks were picking the A900 files over some medium format files in the tests.

Subjective as usual.

I just can't get over a Masters program that's requiring students to pick up what amounts to a 15-20,000 dollar rig????

[papercup]

I would rent several & test. Hassey & Phase One are the leaders.

I rent the Hassey system occasionally, and have used the Phase One system a fair amount as well.

My first advice is: what is available locally, both to rent or borrow? Peers w/equipment are a valuable asset. Find what system is most prevalent with them.

That being said, I would probably still recommend the Hassey system. Several bodies available, lots of used gear around.

I like the Phase One software better, though. Their highest-end camera bests the Hassey, but your price range won't include it, anyway.

[mattkime]

where are you going to school?

yeah, thats a hefty requirement. you could get quality close to the lower end medium format equipment out of a higher end dSLR. Also, you could get started with large format and film for $500.

[pixelzombie]

why couldn't you get a used hassey film camera and a lower end back for it?

[mrbigstuff]

that is a bizarre requirement. have you questioned that?

[jeffNOTjon]

I second pixelzombie's suggestion. Go with a Hasselblad V series and a Phase H25. An inexpensive rig to learn the ropes with that won't break your bank.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/review...h-25.shtml

[Racer X]

they aren't looking for file size/MP, they are looking for a camera/lens system that will allow you to work with specialized optics and swing/tilt bellows and maybe tilt/shift lenses. My Commercial Photography degree required a large format camera to learn the principles of perspective control. Try that with a dSLR and common lenses. I still have my Linhoff with Fuji lenses.

[Mr645]

I used to have a Kodak 465 digital back and I have rented an Imacon back a few times. The high end DSLR's will come close, but they can;t match the fine detail of the digital backs, which now are hitting 60MP capture. Since your asking about perspective control capabilities then I would look for a back that can be fitting to a 4x5 camera.
While a lot can be done with the Canon TS lenses (I have the 24mm), and futher corrections in Photoshop, there still is not the same level of quality, dof control and amount of rise/fall/ and swing that you get with a true view camera.
On the other end, the MF digitals are much slower to shoot with, don;t begin to come close to the hi ISO performance of the DSLR's and don't offer the features that are great for sports, weddings, candid photography.

Someone makes a view camera with an EOS mount on the back. May be worth looking into