MF with AF & AE and interchangeable backs...

srichards

srichards

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What is the best value and most flexible system if you wanted MF film with full AF and AE as well as interchangeable backs for both normal medium format roll film (easy to get hold of kind), easy to dev at many places kind and easy to have high res scanning included kind as well as to have the option of a high resolution digital back ie 30MP +?

What is a reasonable budget for camera, 3 lenses and 2 film backs? What is the sort of budget needed for a digital back?

I was looking at the mamiya 645 family as the most likely to be able to do all of the above but I wasn't sure what budget was realistic.

I also have no idea what lens lengths are in medium format so I'd want a 35mm 50mm equivalent as a minimum then something wider and something longer with macro (105mm 35mm equivalent)

Or would it be better (cheaper!) to find an MF camera with the AF & AE and just get everything devved and high res scanned instead of coughing for a digital back? I don't know how much use I'd get out of it. With a digital back I'd reckon I'd be prolific...

I'm basically after an MF version of my dynax 9 with digital back option for future proofing. It has to be as idiot proof as that is :)
 
I think if you want AF there are some pentax systems that cover this not sure .
 
If you want a digital back you had better count your kidneys and see if you have a spare...
 
Pentax 645N or NII woukd meet your AF and AE requirements, but they lack interchangable backs (they have 120, 220, polaroid and 70mm film inserts available).

For the Pentax 645 system, a 75mm lens is roughly similar to a 135 film 50mm, a 55mm roughly equal to a 33mm, a 45mm a 27mm, and a 180mm a 105mm.
 
It's most likely going to be a Mamiya 645AF system, with the option of a Phase digital back.
 
Several thousand probably! Depends of course if you want to buy new, or get a used one. Be mindful though that the majority do not quite measure up to 645 film completely (most are 44mm x 33mm so there is some cropping).
 
srichards said:
And the phase digital back is how much??
Click to expand...


I think this is one of those if you have to ask the price you ca.....

Realistically I believe 20 -40 new for a top flight back but if you are only looking at 30Megapixel's I would consider a D800 instead.

Teamwork have some secondhand options from about 10 000 here


Lenses would be 55mm 80mm and 120mm Macro in the Mamiya range, some one tried to tempt me a 645 AF once I didn't like it and while I could have possibly afforded it I would be thinking how much LF gear I could have for the same amount of money.

A recommendation from a friend of mine who used to work for one of the larger secondhand dealers is that the Pentax MF AF is much nicer at least with regards to the AF.

You should be able to get 30Megapixels from 120 film if you have it scanned right I assume you want the AF and digital back for fast turnaround studio shots? in which case perhaps if you are looking at it from a commercial point of view the costs are not so scarey.

If time isn't such a factor my standard line would be think LF you can get much higher resolution the gear is cheap and roll film backs are plentiful if you want to go that route.
 
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i think someone had a phase one teathered back for 1600 or 1000 here last year, but it was only 16mp
 
Wouldn't bother with the Nikon. I'd just get the next Sony FF which will work with all my existing lenses.

Didn't really have a commercial use in mind so bang for buck wins out over speed :)
 
Hmm. Looked at teamwork. At those prices getting a drum scanner looks like a sensible option (!!!)

And the plustek £1800 medium format scanner looks an even bigger bargain if I went MF.
 
I have Nikon gear so tend to think in Nikon terms and forgot that Sony have a 36 megapixel camera too, not that I own a D800.

I was just looking around Fforbes and saw this I believe that is a 21megapixel back

I'd be inclined to definitely want to try out any of the auto focus Medium format SLR's before buying one and if auto focus and a digitail back are not deal breakers you will get a much bigger pile of manual fous toys for the same money.

edit

Just saw you later reply ... last drum scanner I brought was 250 buy it now much better quality and value than any of the so called film scanners ..granted the size of an upright piano and a bit more awkward to set up
 
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The price of that phase one also makes a new complete hasselblad h4d look cheap and the Pentax 645d is a piffling £7k ;)

I bet a drum scanner is more musical than my piano playing too . . .
 
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