Suggested lenses for new purchase

[HarryHoffman]

About to make my first MF purchase... a Phase One P40+ w/ DF body. Was looking for suggestions on a lens for general to wide landscape work.
I would rather spend the money once than buy one and wish I had gotten something else later.
Perhaps too generic a question, but looking forward to some ideas

[michaelnotar]

i have the 55, 80, 150 and 105-210, all lenses are the non D, mine are badged mamiya. i use the 80 and zoom the most with my P25. for landscapes how bout a field camera like a cambo wds? the lenses for tech cameras are awesome, i have a schneider digitar 35 and 24. see the full potential of the back and get the tech camera!

[dergiman]

why not the P45+, same resolution, larger sensor and does long exposures? why the df camera, the only reason to spend the money on it is to shoot with the new leaf-shutter lenses. a small view camera would be awesome for landscape work!

[HarryHoffman]

i have the 55, 80, 150 and 105-210, all lenses are the non D, mine are badged mamiya. i use the 80 and zoom the most with my P25. for landscapes how bout a field camera like a cambo wds? the lenses for tech cameras are awesome, i have a schneider digitar 35 and 24. see the full potential of the back and get the tech camera!

Want to get the WDS also as the main platform. Perhaps I should just use that instead of getting an extra lens for the DF.

[Graham Mitchell]

If you are shooting landscapes only I doubt you could beat the image quality offered by a compact view camera with the best of Rodenstock and Schneider lenses (as others have already suggested).

[HarryHoffman]

why not the P45+, same resolution, larger sensor and does long exposures? why the df camera, the only reason to spend the money on it is to shoot with the new leaf-shutter lenses. a small view camera would be awesome for landscape work!

It's a tough call between the P40+ and P45+. The P45 series is already 5 years old. The P40+ is new technology. Right now thats where I'm leaning.
The shutter lag time on the DF is supposed to be a lot better and also quicker focus.
I also do Motorsport stuff which is not what these are intended for..but what the hell

[Wayne Fox]

why not the P45+, same resolution, larger sensor and does long exposures? why the df camera, the only reason to spend the money on it is to shoot with the new leaf-shutter lenses. a small view camera would be awesome for landscape work!

Actually the DF has quite a few other nice features.  Main reason I upgraded is the ability to use a different button for AF other than the 1/2 press of the shutter release, the improvement in shutter response, and for the soon to come ability to set all camera controls via the backs LCD.  It also has improved bracketing, and I like the ability to have 3 saved presets of shooting modes.  I'm glad I bought the new body, and the leaf shutters are not something I'm planning on buying.

I admit I will occasionally miss the long exposure times of my p45+.

[HarryHoffman]

Actually the DF has quite a few other nice features.  Main reason I upgraded is the ability to use a different button for AF other than the 1/2 press of the shutter release, the improvement in shutter response, and for the soon to come ability to set all camera controls via the backs LCD.  It also has improved bracketing, and I like the ability to have 3 saved presets of shooting modes.  I'm glad I bought the new body, and the leaf shutters are not something I'm planning on buying.

I admit I will occasionally miss the long exposure times of my p45+.

Phase one has a deal where you can get a Horseman with a Schneider 24mm for a good deal with purchase of new 45+ or 65+.
Will go that route and local dealer Bear Images will let me try some other lenses to see what is right for me.

[HarryHoffman]

I admit I will occasionally miss the long exposure times of my p45+.

Do you have the P40+ Wayne?

[ddk]

I think that you're right in choosing a P40+ over the P45+, imo the Dalsa chip has far better tonal attributes than the Kodak chips. Having said that I recommend that you take a look at Leaf Aptus 2 backs, or the Mamiya packages which is essentially the same camera with an Aptus back, with very attractive pricing.

[HarryHoffman]

I think that you're right in choosing a P40+ over the P45+, imo the Dalsa chip has far better tonal attributes than the Kodak chips. Having said that I recommend that you take a look at Leaf Aptus 2 backs, or the Mamiya packages which is essentially the same camera with an Aptus back, with very attractive pricing.

It looks like the Leafs are high quality and great pricing. Phase One seems to be top dog right now.
When purchasing something, I always take into account selling it down the road. The Phase One has a larger audience and selling it should be easier. Pay a little more up front and get a little more at the end.

[multigary]

I just went through the same buying decision dilemma - P 40+  vs. p 45+, and which lenses for mostly landscape work.  I went with the
P 40+ for many of the same reasons mentioned above.  I can live without the longer exposure time, but the larger sensor crop still makes
me question my decision.  I do like the fact that it's the newer technology, and the sensor + has actually been more useful than I thought it
would  be. But also, as posted above, I've started thinking I should have really left some funds available for a technical camera and some lenses
for the back, but I guess that will have to wait.  Good luck with your decision!

[RichA@FotoCare]

It looks like the Leafs are high quality and great pricing. Phase One seems to be top dog right now.
When purchasing something, I always take into account selling it down the road. The Phase One has a larger audience and selling it should be easier. Pay a little more up front and get a little more at the end.

You won't go wrong buying a Leaf.  They are still very much in demand in the used market.  Plus, at this time,  the manufactures again have trade-in programs to the newer systems.

Rich Andres
Foto Care
NY, NY