I completely agree with Tierrey regarding the statement that the foundation of the system - body/lenses - is where the budget should be stretched, not just the digital back. Backs will come and go but the components that we hang the back on should be selected to have longevity.
I for one sold my film gear/8,000 line drum scanner when the P45 arrived in the market. With extensive testing, I found that at 39MP, carefully exposed and post processed, there isn't much that I can't do with a 39MP back. And if I find I want more resolution, I put on a long lens and using the Really Right Stuff Panorama contraption, I shoot off multiple frames and stitch them in CS3. Frankly, in many situations the longer lens stitched image produces far better resolution/detail than a single shot WA on a higher pixel count digital back.
Thus, with the announcements of backs of 50MP and above, I'm having a hard time getting excited about them. Economics 101 is valid in many ways; Margin of Diminishing Returns: After a certain point, increased cost renders less feature utility return per dollar spent.
Below is a cut from a spreadsheet I've built to give me a summary of the advantages/disadvantages and cost consequences of the cameras I'm currently evaluating for purchase. I recently sold my MFD camera(H2) and back(P45+) with the plan to someday purchase a tech camera and digital back. When I sold the MFD package, I figured it would be a year or so till I had the opportunity/time to consider, but circumstances have changed and I'm ready today, or more likely after PhotoKina introductions are all announced, to make the purchase.
Based on Fridays exchange rates, here are some interesting competitive costs to consider:
Candidate: Advantages Value to me
Cambo WRS1000 Vertical Shift = +40mm, 25mm/15mm Excellent
Horizontal Shift = 40mm, +20/-20mm Excellent
Tilt: None
Full Geared Operation Yes
Body Weight = 1.2 kilos or 2.6# Excellent
Body Size: w= 6.1 inches; h =6.5 inches; d= ? inch Great!
Cost Estimate: Retail:
Cambo WRS1000: $2,780
Viewfinder: $790
Digital back mounting plate: $475
Schneider Apo-Digitar 5.6/XL 35mm Lens: $3,999
Tripod Mount: Included
Hand Grips: Included ?
Total: $8,044
Alpa 12MAX Vertical Shift = 43mm; 25mm rise, 18mm fall Adequate
with 35mm Horizontal Shift = 36mm: +/- 18mm Adequate
Tilt: None
Full Geared Operation Yes
Body Weight: 1134 gramms or 2.5# Excellent
Body Size: w= 8.11 inches, hight= 6.88 inches; d= 1.3 inches
Cost Estimate: Retail:
12 Max $5,397
Hand Grips, Soft Touch Black $457
Viewfinder: $1,372
Digital back mounting plate: $956
Schneider Apo-Digitar 5.6/XL 35mm Lens: $4,671
Tripod Mount: Included
Total: $12,853
Sinar arTec Vertical Shift = +25/-15 mm
Horizontal Shift = +20/-20
Tilt = +/- 5 degrees
Full Geared Operation ?
Body Weigh = 1450 gramms or 3.2#
Body Size: 27cm x 19m x 7cm / 10.6 in x 7.48 in x 2.76 in
Cost Estimate: Retail:
arTec with sliding back, focusing magnifier, mask, case: 10308
Viewfinder: N/A
Digital back mounting plate: ?
Schneider Apo-Digitar 5.6/XL 35mm Lens: $4,221
Tripod Mount: Included
Total: $14,529
Alpa SWA Vertical Shift = 25 mm, RISE ONLY
Horizontal Shift - None!
Tilt: None
Full Geared Operation
Body Weight: 770 gramms or 1.7#
Body Size: w: 7.1 inches, h: 4.72 inches , d: 1.85 inches
Cost Estimate: Retail:
SWA model with Phase cable hand grips $4,522
Viewfinder: $1,372
Digital back mounting plate: $956
Schneider Apo-Digitar 5.6/XL 35mm Lens: $4,671
Tripod Mount:
Total: $11,521
Attached, I hope, is the actual spreadsheet in Excel/Mac format.
Now, this is offered in the spirit of sharing and not to start a verbal range war. It is meant to
give a RELATIVE cost to features comparison.
All figures are subject to error and corrections, this is just my personal guideline to assist
me in defining the respective camera body/lens feature returns by company and model.
Thought someone might find it useful in their own quest,
Jack