Welcome on board Alvin,
If you are not in a rush to swipe your credit card, my best advise would be to start looking/ holding/ shooting the cameras on your list...visit some shops if possible, contact the local reps/ distributors and ask to try some kit. Get some RAW files and play with them in whatever software you prefer working with.
Only YOU can decide what works best for you and what fulfils your emotional/ visual/ practical/ financial needs.
If you need any advice or need a local hook-up on Mamiya Leaf or Phase One please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to help.
Good luck and enjoy the journey, whatever you end up buying!
Yair
Thank you, Yair.
I'm not in any rush at all. Interestingly, what started me down the MFD path was seeing the press release for the XF One and attending one of the open house events (thanks, DT! lol). The camera was delayed due to UPS so I had my first exposure to the DF+/SK 80/new SK35/IQ3XX. Most of the attendees were MF shooters, mostly pros from what I could tell. There was a (seemingly) skeptical Nikon D810 shooter there who, along with me, didn't have experience with MFD. When the XF One arrived, I was the last to play with it. Since my interest was only casual at that point, I didn't want to take time away from anyone who had a more serious interest. Not sure how to put this into words, but the camera gave me an emotional tug (I usually only feel this with bikes lol). Since then, I've had some one on one time with the camera and IQ350/IQ380. It's not an inexpensive system by any means, but it is very easy to like for me. I'm playing around with the RAW files now (and some additional ones that were sent to me) and I'm finding I really like CaptureOne which makes it easier to gravitate towards P1/Credo.
Of course, the decision will be based on my requirements/needs, but I have found such a wealth of knowledge, experience, and artistry here that I find it in my best interests to listen, learn, keep an open mind to that shared by others. Yes, in the end, only I can make the decision for myself. Yet I have found that the shared experiences of others here have opened my eyes towards looking at things in a different way which sometimes challenges my convictions and forces me to be brutally honest with "needs." I'm hoping that this thread will provide more of that insight.
Thank you very much for your offer. I really appreciate it.
Alvin