Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Wow... and it's only 17 MP.  (Read 8538 times)

indianavince

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 32
    • http://www.vincentseye.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« on: October 25, 2006, 01:36:07 pm »

Well I am processing the some of the files I have created during my first week with my Leaf Aptus 17. (refurb that finally came)

I am absolutly amazed with the resolution (Hasselblad and Zeiss help!) and tonal range!

I shot some aerial photography yesterday and also some imges of fall color and architecture most of it was backlit.  Aside from the processing speed via Leaf's 10.0 software (steep learning curve).  I see no reason other than speed to use the 35mm gear.  

I am blown away.... What you folks are doing with 22 and 39MP backs is beyond me.
I am sure I will have a 22MP back as soon as I can snag one for $12,000.
Logged

SeanBK

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 531
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2006, 01:40:47 pm »

You can P.M me, if you don't want to openly announce it, but how much did you ay for Aptus 17?
Logged

Dustbak

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2442
    • Pepperanddust
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2006, 02:34:31 pm »

I will be receiving mine by the end of this week. Did you use a DB before? Now I am using a valeo11 and expect in image quality not a very big leap forward but in the way I can work I expect a lot more freedom.

It would be nice when I am pleasantly surprised that the Aptus17 is way better than the Valeo11  

I also bought one of the refurbed ones. Which I plan to upgrade to something bigger within the next 2 years.

I try not to buy the latest and the newest so I can keep the write-off as low as possible and remain competitive. Besides that, the demand for very very large files is not that big for me and when it does come I stitch multiple smaller files into a really big one (60Mp or more).

I paid less than 7500USD.
Logged

pss

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 960
    • http://www.schefz.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2006, 03:21:19 pm »

the refurb A17s were available for 7300-7500$ in all mounts...the P20 will be available for about the same...
congrats on your Aptus! thta is what i have been writing here for ages...much better then DSLR and way enough resolution....does not mean i won't step up eventually as well, but it is possible to get into the game for the same price as a 1DsII, with much better quality files...
Logged

rainer_v

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1194
    • http://www.tangential.de
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2006, 03:25:54 pm »

Quote
the refurb A17s were available for 7300-7500$ in all mounts...the P20 will be available for about the same...
congrats on your Aptus! thta is what i have been writing here for ages...much better then DSLR and way enough resolution....does not mean i won't step up eventually as well, but it is possible to get into the game for the same price as a 1DsII, with much better quality files...
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82241\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

that sounds tempting , ofcourse.
the biggest advantage of more pixels for me is cropping. for normal print sizes up to A2 its very hard to see a difference between a ( sharp ) 17 or a 33mp image.-
these prices are really an invitation to go to mf....
« Last Edit: October 25, 2006, 03:26:22 pm by rehnniar »
Logged
rainer viertlböck
architecture photograp

psorantin

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 55
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2006, 04:22:45 pm »

I just started out too with an Aptus-17 on a Hassy V-body.
I have been shooting digital since several years on a Canon 1D-II, and chose the Aptus-17 instead of a 1Ds-II upgrade.

Impressions: Overall very positive.
I did so far on-location portrait work and some outdoor shooting to test out the combo Hassy-503cw/Aptus-17.

Outdoors, glass sculptures:


Gallery link: http://psorantin.smugmug.com/gallery/2011910/1/102950997
This gallery shows some images from the Chihuly glass sculptures exhibition in the New York/Bronx Botanical Garden. That means - highly specular surfaces, saturated colors, reflections. I shot this not with pixel-peeping in mind, but some of the shots (in full resolution on the screen, not really on the web) show what the system can deliver in terms of color fidelity or sharpness (e.g. the boat shots with the magenta glass works in it).

System impressions so far:

PRO:
- Tonality and colors look very good; files "robust"  for processing
- Sharpness solid (Zeiss Distagon 50mm)

- On-camera operating system of the Aptus superb; easy to use, good information content, several time saving features
- Its great that you can program certain "color-look" features right into the back configuration settings
- Swicthing between H and V-orientation via rotating back much easier than I thought it would be
- No problem with sync-cable to lens
- Battery life OK; I like the fact that one can purchase 3rd-party Samsung batteries
- Tethered capturing with Leaf Capture 10.0.4 on a MacBookPro laptop easy
- Overall makes shooting with the V-system very convenient.

CON:
- Lead Capture 10.0.4 is for my workflow a real problem:

a) By factors slower than any other software (PS CS2, Raw Developer) in handling; so slow that when I wanted to show somebody a slideshow of the raw files, it took minutes for the first shot to load. I am running this on a very well equipped PowerMac G5 (two CPU's, 6GB RAM, super-fast G-SATA disk with 130MB/s, ATI Radeon 256MG GPU). Its not the machine, its the software

b) No Kelvin color temp slider (although that is announced for the next update

c) There are some other useability issues, which I could live with, but the slowness of the application and the conversions is ridiculous.

d) I can't get the .mos files into Aperture, where all my Canon files sit; I have Aperture in full production usage since 12/05 and it has been very valuable to streamline my shot selection, backups and metadata management.

- A User Forum that is so far very slow and lightly "populated" (compared to Capture One/Phase One for example).

=> My recommendation to Leaf: Work with Apple to get .mos into Aperture; and support DNG; I know Leaf is saying "we have given Apple what they need to get the integration done".
I think the situation with LC10 is that Leaf should very very actively push this from their end; the software is way behind.  I as a user have no interest to follow Leaf in a "catch up" process to industry standard levels on the software side.
If Leaf would support Aperture and DNG, they would turn a current weakness into a strength.

MIXED Feedback:
- I have experimented a bit with the color-look presets (e.g. Portrait-4, Portrait-5 etc.) but they have not been too useful so far; it needs more experimentation to be fair. Does anybody know whether these "looks" have specific film emulsion equivalents? Or is this just a kind of "goodie" thing and a total experimental byproduct of some Leaf testing?
--

To sum up:
Photography-wise +++
Workflow-wise -

Peter
--
Peter Sorantin
Mountain Lakes, NJ
Logged
Peter Sorantin
New Jersey

bcroslin

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 324
    • http://www.bobcroslin.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2006, 04:57:06 pm »

Quote
CON:
- Lead Capture 10.0.4 is for my workflow a real problem:

My assumption about why Leaf Capture 10 is so slow and mostly unusable is because it's written in Java. Java has never really run as fast on a Mac as it does on a PC. I've totally given up on v10 and only use v8 for captures and PS CS2 for conversions. The newest release of ACR does a much better job than the older verisons.

I'd love to hear the explanation as to why Leaf decided to code v 10 in Java.

Also, for color I've found that if I shoot a grey card I can basically ignore all of the Leaf presets and get spot on color.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2006, 04:59:45 pm by bcroslin »
Logged
Bob Croslin, Photographer
[url=http://ww

marcwilson

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 411
    • http://www.marcwilson.co.uk
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2006, 05:30:51 pm »

all the plus reasons mentioned are why I am so looking forward to using an aptus 17 when I can get one in about six months to use on my contax for stock and jobs along with film back for large print personal work.

I am so looking forward to having detail on digital files I am used to with mf film again.

Then I will be able to consign the dslr system to the back up bag or for where I need the speed, lightness of the dslr system..which for my work is about 1% of the time!

Marc
Logged
www.marcwilson.co.uk [url=http://www.mar

LasseDPF

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 42
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2006, 02:47:14 pm »

Quote
I'd love to hear the explanation as to why Leaf decided to code v 10 in Java.

Java is platform independent . I guess their idea was "Write Once, Run Anywhere". But so far the Windows version is still "coming really soon". So I guess it did not work out as planned.. ?

I agree the performance of LC v10 is bad. Almost a joke.
But its getting better..  

Lasse
Logged
Lasse Morkhagen

pss

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 960
    • http://www.schefz.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2006, 03:11:48 pm »

Quote
No Kelvin color temp slider (although that is announced for the next update

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82258\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

that's funny...i was waiting for the next update with the color temp slider as well...until i sold my valeo...16months ago....
let's hope aperture will sometimes actually turn pro and handle DMF files....and let's hope lightroom can get their conversions under control before it ships...at least leaf owners have options....

but i have to say that C1, although it has not changed that much in the last year, has actually really become a reason to go with phase...and 4.0 will be even better...not that i actually need improvement, i am almost giddy that they will make something better that i am very pleased with! does not happen too often...

leafs V8 is a working, stable software, but it is sad that leaf has not been able to come out with something better in 2? years....
Logged

bcroslin

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 324
    • http://www.bobcroslin.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2006, 07:31:50 pm »

Quote
Java is platform independent . I guess their idea was "Write Once, Run Anywhere".

It's more like write once, suck everywhere.

I've really been happy with CS 2 for my conversions. If that weren't the case I'd be second guessing my investment in Leaf.

When I get ready to upgrade my back I'll definitely look a little harder in Phase One's direction if Leaf doesn't get their act together concerning software.
Logged
Bob Croslin, Photographer
[url=http://ww

indianavince

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 32
    • http://www.vincentseye.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2006, 09:24:12 pm »

CS2 CONVERSIONS! You mean CS2 will process the .MOS files?  I have to look for the the plug-in upgrade.

I am not worried about Aperature, I have used Apple for 20 some years they are good tools but often too cute and gimicky.  I used a few "widgets" for a couple weeks, now I NEVER look at them... I have WORK to do!

I was not concerned that my Fuji S3/S2 were unsupported by Apple but do with Bibble Labs supported them.... Hey does Bibble support the .MOS files?

I'm going to go check that out for myself.

I will post a shot I did yesterday with my Distagon 50 shooting into the sun with all the fall color on the Purdue Unv. campus.  Stunning!  Nikon zooms are pretty good, but can't touch a Zeiss prime!

I have always used the Hasselblad for aerial work. Nikon makes NO short lenses that can take the prop. wash from an airplane... the front elements of shake side to side with blurry results NO MATER how HIGH a shutter speed is used.  I have only ONE nikon lens that is worth a damn next to MF and that is the 70-200mm f2.8.
Logged

MarkKay

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 587
    • http://markkayphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/1305161
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2006, 09:52:49 pm »

I would highly recommend trying RawDeveloper.  It is extremely good with Leaf files.  I can extract more detail when compared to CS2.  You can download a demo version and play with it before deciding to pay-- I think it is 99 dollars. Mark
Logged

bcroslin

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 324
    • http://www.bobcroslin.com
Wow... and it's only 17 MP.
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2006, 12:13:18 am »

Quote
I would highly recommend trying RawDeveloper.

I second that recommendation. I use CS 2 because it fits into my workflow better but RD is a great tool.
Logged
Bob Croslin, Photographer
[url=http://ww
Pages: [1]   Go Up