Phase One 645AF (Mamiya 645AFD III) - Good or Bad?

[billbunton]

Originally Posted by TheRandomPhotographer

Odd double post

Actually, haring just missed the quotes around DEMDeepEllumMusic's post :-)

The reviewer obviously didn't really understand what he was testing. The P40+ is 40mpx from ISO50 to ISO800, or can be switched to Sensor+ mode (which is pixel binning) for ISO200 to ISO3200. Reduced noise, reduced write time, with the obvious trade-off of reduced pixels.

Frankly, though the auto WB may be better on Nikon/Canon, it's none too good there either.

And again, his complaint about the viewfinder showing more than was being captured shows he didn't have a clue what he was shooting. The P40+ is a 1.3x crop sensor, while the P65+ is not a crop sensor.

[haring]

Originally Posted by TheRandomPhotographer

Odd double post

Sorry. The quote signs were missing. Odd.

[haring]

This time it worked! :)

[haring]

Originally Posted by billbunton

Actually, haring just missed the quotes around DEMDeepEllumMusic's post :-)

The reviewer obviously didn't really understand what he was testing. The P40+ is 40mpx from ISO50 to ISO800, or can be switched to Sensor+ mode (which is pixel binning) for ISO200 to ISO3200. Reduced noise, reduced write time, with the obvious trade-off of reduced pixels.

Frankly, though the auto WB may be better on Nikon/Canon, it's none too good there either.

And again, his complaint about the viewfinder showing more than was being captured shows he didn't have a clue what he was shooting. The P40+ is a 1.3x crop sensor, while the P65+ is not a crop sensor.

I agree! Lot of times I read "reviews" about cameras and lenses and I draw the conclusion that they have NO clue what they write about or/and they never had the camera/lens in their hands. THAT's why ask you guys here! :):):) Thanks for all the input!

[haring]

Originally Posted by billbunton

Actually, haring just missed the quotes around DEMDeepEllumMusic's post :-)

The reviewer obviously didn't really understand what he was testing. The P40+ is 40mpx from ISO50 to ISO800, or can be switched to Sensor+ mode (which is pixel binning) for ISO200 to ISO3200. Reduced noise, reduced write time, with the obvious trade-off of reduced pixels.

Frankly, though the auto WB may be better on Nikon/Canon, it's none too good there either.

And again, his complaint about the viewfinder showing more than was being captured shows he didn't have a clue what he was shooting. The P40+ is a 1.3x crop sensor, while the P65+ is not a crop sensor.

Billbunton!

Which (best but still afordable:)) digital back would you recommend for the Phase One?
Thanks!

[billbunton]

My original questions still hold. You need to first define affordable :-). If I could have afforded it, I would have gotten the P65+; these days I might also consider the new Leaf Aptus-II 12.

For me the decision came down the P40+ or the P45+. For purely landscape shooting I think the P45+ would be the better choice, especially if you're going to do any long exposure work. It was a hard decision, because I liked the 1.1 crop of the P45+, and the long exposure (up to an hour!) capability. But realistically, I rarely shoot exposures longer than 60s, and I got Dave Gallagher to run some long exposure tests. The results surprised him as well as me (the P40+ does an excellent job at 60s; earlier firmware and tests Dave had done had him thinking anything longer than about 10s was no good). So I ended up going with the P40+ specifically so that I could have the higher ISO and pixel binning capability for those (admittedly few) times I really need them.

The P45+ new is a little more expensive than the P40+, though price really didn't figure in to my decision. Dave had a lightly used P45+ lined up if I wanted it, or the demo P40+ I ended up buying; I think the price difference was about $1k. The P40+ and P65+ use the same 6 micron sensor technology (only difference is size), while the P45+ and the P30+ use the same 6.8 micron sensor technology, so the P30+ is a viable alternative to the P45+.

[haring]

Originally Posted by billbunton

My original questions still hold. You need to first define affordable :-). If I could have afforded it, I would have gotten the P65+; these days I might also consider the new Leaf Aptus-II 12.

For me the decision came down the P40+ or the P45+. For purely landscape shooting I think the P45+ would be the better choice, especially if you're going to do any long exposure work. It was a hard decision, because I liked the 1.1 crop of the P45+, and the long exposure (up to an hour!) capability. But realistically, I rarely shoot exposures longer than 60s, and I got Dave Gallagher to run some long exposure tests. The results surprised him as well as me (the P40+ does an excellent job at 60s; earlier firmware and tests Dave had done had him thinking anything longer than about 10s was no good). So I ended up going with the P40+ specifically so that I could have the higher ISO and pixel binning capability for those (admittedly few) times I really need them.

The P45+ new is a little more expensive than the P40+, though price really didn't figure in to my decision. Dave had a lightly used P45+ lined up if I wanted it, or the demo P40+ I ended up buying; I think the price difference was about $1k. The P40+ and P65+ use the same 6 micron sensor technology (only difference is size), while the P45+ and the P30+ use the same 6.8 micron sensor technology, so the P30+ is a viable alternative to the P45+.

Thanks Bill!!!

- My price range is between $5-10k. I don't mind buying an older digital back.
- I shoot mainly portraits and weddings. I would like to use the camera for wedding photography most of the time, I guess.
- I would prefer a 1.1 crop back.

Do you think it is possible to get something good for my budget or I am just dreaming...?:)

[billbunton]

You'd need to watch the FS sections at getDPI and LL pretty closely. eBay would be another possibility, if you're willing to take the risk that entails. You can also contact a dealer and see if they have anything used or demo available.

Right now Capture Integration has a demo Leaf Aptus II-7 (33mp, I don't know the crop factor) for $10K. I'm failing to find their used item listing, but they usually have some used backs available.

[haring]

Originally Posted by billbunton

You'd need to watch the FS sections at getDPI and LL pretty closely. eBay would be another possibility, if you're willing to take the risk that entails. You can also contact a dealer and see if they have anything used or demo available.

Right now Capture Integration has a demo Leaf Aptus II-7 (33mp, I don't know the crop factor) for $10K. I'm failing to find their used item listing, but they usually have some used backs available.

Thanks a lot!