P25+ V H3D

[kevinwilson]

I was wondering if anyone has done a comparison test between the two digital backs. I think the latest Blad version is the H3, forgive me if I am incorrect.

I would be very ionterested to know if such a test has been performed, not particularly as to a Phase owner or a Blad owner, more of an independent test.
TIA
Kevin

[Mike W]

Michael Reichmann announced a test shoot review to be posted on this site a week ago.

If you hold tight, you should see a comparison between the H3D, a phase 45+ and the Hy6 with sinarback.

[michael]

Don't hold too tight. I'm snowed under with work at the moment and that comparison is still a week or two off.

The short answer is that the image quality between the P45+ and the H3D II is extremely close. So close that I wouldn't choose one over the other on that basis alone.

Michael

[robert zimmerman]

Don't hold too tight. I'm snowed under with work at the moment and that comparison is still a week or two off.

The short answer is that the image quality between the P45+ and the H3D II is extremely close. So close that I wouldn't choose one over the other on that basis alone.

Michael
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=159076\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Michael,
do you see any real advantage in the H3DII over an H2 and the p45+ or the Aptus 75s?

Faster/better AF, better files from the communication from lens to camera to back?

Just curious...

Thanks, Kiplng

[kevinwilson]

Don't hold too tight. I'm snowed under with work at the moment and that comparison is still a week or two off.

The short answer is that the image quality between the P45+ and the H3D II is extremely close. So close that I wouldn't choose one over the other on that basis alone.

Michael
Thanks for that, I had heard that the raw processing software for the Blad is not as good, or user friendly as C1. Could that be the deciding factor.
Kevin

[mikemigs]

Recently tested a P30 as well as an H3D-31. Though the testing was done independently, I decided to go for the P30 since I was more familiar with C1 Pro, having used it since it's inception. I realize that Phocus is due for release soon.


Adrian Wilson started a thread in PDN's forum about a flaring problem in specular highlights using an H3D, and I was able to duplicate this in my test of the H3D-31. I also shot with an H3DII and it appear Hasselblad has fixed this problem with the new IR filter.

[robert zimmerman]

Recently tested a P30 as well as an H3D-31. Though the testing was done independently, I decided to go for the P30 since I was more familiar with C1 Pro, having used it since it's inception. I realize that Phocus is due for release soon.
Adrian Wilson started a thread in PDN's forum about a flaring problem in specular highlights using an H3D, and I was able to duplicate this in my test of the H3D-31. I also shot with an H3DII and it appear Hasselblad has fixed this problem with the new IR filter.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=159229\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

mike, could you dicern any other differences between the H2/H3 and the new H3d II? Was there any improvement in other areas do to Fimware differences? Was AF faster or more accurate? Were the files any different?

Thanks

[Ed Jack]

Recently tested a P30 as well as an H3D-31. Though the testing was done independently, I decided to go for the P30 since I was more familiar with C1 Pro, having used it since it's inception. I realize that Phocus is due for release soon.
Adrian Wilson started a thread in PDN's forum about a flaring problem in specular highlights using an H3D, and I was able to duplicate this in my test of the H3D-31. I also shot with an H3DII and it appear Hasselblad has fixed this problem with the new IR filter.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=159229\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I presume that the Phase 1 "Plus- P-serries"  backs still holds a long exposure record by a clear margin. I think Michael was doing half hour exposures at one point with his P45+?! I think most other backs can't do much more than 30 seconds (at least with the Dalsa chips/sensors), not sure that even the newest Hassie can do much better than this, even though it has Ostensibly the same sensor. It just goes to show how much of an affect the "support electronics" has on back characteristics. Again, unless you are some sort of Moonlight specialist freak, who only goes out at night, not sure this will me a conisderation when choosing a back   . A "light painter" however will want a Plus serries back I would have thought ?

Ed

[mikemigs]

mike, could you discern any other differences between the H2/H3 and the new H3d II? Was there any improvement in other areas do to Firmware differences? Was AF faster or more accurate? Were the files any different?

Thanks
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=159231\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Sorry Kipling, but I did not spend enough time comparing the H3D to the H3DII to notice any differences in performance and features. I was specifically comparing how they handled the flaring during long exposures. Conclusion: the H3D created artifacts around the starbursts; the H3DII was fine.

[Shedaoshai]

does this only occur on long exposures? what is about the faster ones e.g. 1/60?

[Anthony R]

I haven't done side by side tests, but for studio beauty portraits I've not seen nicer files than what the H3D produced. This was just the other day and only from one shoot, but man those files were gorgeous.. Every photographer has his or her individual needs, but man....pretty files that blow away any condition P25 I've seen and a lot of P30+ use.

[mikemigs]

does this only occur on long exposures? what is about the faster ones e.g. 1/60?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=159913\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

It seems to only occur in exposures longer than approx 1 second, so I suppose it only affects specific shooting conditions. Personally I shoot (often enough) on location at night, so this issue would be a nightmare for me (and my retoucher)!

[mikemigs]

I haven't done side by side tests, but for studio beauty portraits I've not seen nicer files than what the H3D produced. This was just the other day and only from one shoot, but man those files were gorgeous.. Every photographer has his or her individual needs, but man....pretty files that blow away any condition P25 I've seen and a lot of P30+ use.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=159937\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I respect your favoritism of the H3D and I totally agree with you that every photographer has his/her needs. I do believe that Hassy's RAW files are more natural than Phase's, but for my style I prefer Phase's look, so the P30 it is.

[Anthony R]

I have a P30+.....

I just thought the files were very nice looking in terms of detail, dynamic range and out of the box starting point. Flexcolor is not the nicest UI and while Hasselblad makes fine cameras, they aren't for me. I also prefer C1, Phase and Contax not that that means anything.

I respect your favoritism of the H3D and I totally agree with you that every photographer has his/her needs. I do believe that Hassy's RAW files are more natural than Phase's, but for my style I prefer Phase's look, so the P30 it is.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=160037\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

[Dinarius]

I'm seriously considering the new H3DII 39MS.

I shoot art catalogues and I really would like the multi-shot option.

As someone who has always used ACR up to now, I have no lean on C1, so a new capture software program is fine.

I can also use the back on my Sinar P when I need the movements.

All in all, it looks like a camera that will set me up for a while yet.  

D.

[Dustbak]

I have been wondering whether I should profile my backs but the right tools are expensive so I am still considering.

At this moment,  I already come so close to what most people perceive to be correct colors for my product & still work I don't need to.

For portrait work I wonder whether I would like to have 'correct' colors, I prefer something that is pleasant instead of correct.

Sofar I have not yet had significant incentive to do the back profiling, not significant enough to drop several K on it. There are other things higher on my priority list.