Hasselbla H4D-40 OR Pentax 645Z

[rollsman44]

  I had the Hassy H3D-39 and 31 and also Pentax 645D and sold them. Went to Fuji XT-2 and not sure if I want to go back to MF. It would mainly be for my Personal use and NOT shooting weddings anymore. Just for Portraits, family groups and some Landscapes. I am trying to keep my Budget UNDER 5K FOR Body and an 80 lens for now.
     Any suggestions or recommendations is greatly appreciated.  Thanks 

[Joe Towner]

You haven't mentioned why you've sold both platforms.  What did you like or not like about them or the files?

Personally, Z without question - CMOS and such, but also the lower depreciation over the next year or such.

[rollsman44]

 I needed a Higher ISO was the reason I sold them.  I don't need anything more than ISO 1600 with NO degradation in IQ.  Thanks   Dennis

[Joe Towner]

I'm not sure the current 33x44 CMOS options will give you what you want at ISO 1600.  Pull some test files and see for yourself.  The H4D-40 isn't going to work for your ISO requirements.  You may want to wait to see what Nikon announce.

[rollsman44]

  Nikon MED Format ??   Thank you

[Joe Towner]

No, the Nikon isn't Medium Format, but it ticks all the other boxes of what you're asking for.  With the budget and ISO requirements, I'm not seeing an option other than a used 645Z & lens.  Toss in more cash and you're at the GFX price point.  Anything CCD isn't going to work at ISO 1600 & you've already had the 40mp 33x44 CCD w/ microlenses.

[kenkenman]

The H sensor is not really good at ISO 1600. I like shooting at that ISO in B&W for a "look" but it's certainly noisy starting at 400 and beyond.

The Z sensor is pretty much like a Canon 5D Mark 2 in terms of noise. It's not terrible at 1600 but it's not clean either. 800 is the limit I'd go on that thing.

I agree that a current or upcoming 35mm system seems more in line with your IQ and ISO requirements.

[Steve Hendrix]

I needed a Higher ISO was the reason I sold them.  I don't need anything more than ISO 1600 with NO degradation in IQ.  Thanks   Dennis

Dennis, I don't know of any capture product that has no degradation at ISO 1600, if by degradation you mean zero noise and no loss of detail or dynamic range. However, I find ISO 1600 to be very good relative to pretty much any capture system with the 50MP Sony sensors used in the 44mm x 33mm size (Hasselblad, Pentax, Fuji, Phase One). At ISO 1600 it still does retain a high degree of detail, and while there is noise/grain, it is nice looking and not too obtrusive. It is at ISO 3200 when I start to feel like the returns diminish more than I like with this sensor. That said, many have used this sensor at ISO 3200 and beyond. YMMV.


Steve Hendrix/CI

[NickT]

What Steve said.