Hi all,
I am having to get an medium format slr system and am just looking for a bit of help or any compelling reasons to get one over the other. (my budget is quite limited)
I need an slr rather than rangefinder camera.
I need ability to use both film and digital backs.
I have no need for auto focus.
I am happy to go without in camera metering but can do so with metered finders.
It would be useful to have a simple shift set up with this camera but will also probably, budget depending, combine this camera with one such as cambo / horseman etc that can take both film and digital backs to go really wide and get shifts in package that can go with mf camera....plus d.back could be used on my 54 for extra movements, etc also.
Work is architecture, interiors, exteriors, personal artwork (landscapes etc), stock.
I currently use dslr for many jobs and stock but would happily use this mf camera with d.back such as aptus 17 to cover these. Film back would be used for personal work (large (40x30 inch)print quality that dslr does not come close to mf film for from my own experience and testing ) + any jobs requiring that quality. The type of work I do really does not need the speed etc of dslr but stock must be shot on digital.
I see my options as:
hasselblad v system: simple, great lenses, swc for 38mm lens, 56mm shift option (40mm plus pc mutar) metered finder option, waist level finder, all digital backs made for, horseman swd etc takes v backs.
mamiya 645 afd: can use mamiya manual focus lenses, built in meter, simple hartblei shift option, all backs available, horseman swd etc takes afd backs.
contax 645: top lenses as in v series, built in meter, simple hartblei shift option, most backs avaialble but not on horseman swd etc...problems here can be availability, cost of wlf etc.
I have at some point used all of these cameras and am happy shooting with any of them.
thanks for any tips.