C'mon, Steve. For that sort of money? You should first and foremost get everything that a far cheaper, smaller format camera can do, and then some more. Not less.
I am not surprised at how dispassionate you are. I really didn't think that my invoking the history of photography and a philosophical cry of "how did we go backwards?" would resonate with the pros and the dealers. You guys only care about the bottom line, and if the tool does the job for you, you're happy. Philosophical musings are for amateur enthusiasts. Some people did get it, though.
And in comparison to film - that stuff that's been around for a century, you know?
Ray -
You misrepresent, I might even say disparage, but... - and I will forgive you in advance - my motivation for assessing the situation with long exposure and Dalsa sensors. My perspective on these products comes from my knowledge and experience with that is required to produce them with the features they have or are not able to have.
So my perspective is that all products are a combination of features and compromises (and sometimes worse, glaring flaws).Often, in order to advance one feature, it comes at the expense of another. This, I think is obvious to most familiar with technology.
Considering that over the history of all digital back products, there have never been any that either are able to or were recommended to produce exposures more than 30-60 seconds (the P non Plus backs being a modest exception, with some capable of a few minutes, depending on which sensor).
The one very notable exception would be the Phase One P+ Series, who may easily do 15-30-45-60 minute exposures, dependent upon conditions. What was involved in the modifications to enable this that might potentially prevent advancement on some other performance element, who can say? But these were Kodak sensors, which are/were also purchased and used by Hasselblad, as well as Sinar in their digital backs. And yet, only the P+ backs had this capability. So, it is not an off the shelf capability, it requires a combination of some secret sauce and possibly some additional component or modification of existing components.
So, Ray - that is my perspective, understanding this, and knowing that the nature of technology frequently involves the addition or enhancement of features at the expense of others.
However - it is too bad that you chose to inaccuratley guess at and misrepresent me because I had just read your earlier posted rebuttal to Doug and I was going to post that I agree with your point, as well as your sentiment.
Well, I"ll give you the benefit of the doubt and go forward anyway.
I do agree, that having the ability to perform long exposures with the Phase One P+ backs, especially considering this could be involved already over numerous models of ownership very easily and naturally becomes a critical part of your business. After all, one may have bought a P25+, then 3 years later upgraded to a P45+, still maintaining the same ability, so over this period of time (4 - 5 years) surely it is something you're depended upon.
And I agree - the notion that there may never be another medium format product like that, the end of the pinnacle line for that capability is the P45+ and no future IQ and better products would have that ability - I agree that is, I don't know the word for it, Bad. It's not unresonable to expect that since this has continued across multiple sensors, it would be a staple of future development.
I don't glibly feel that hey, you have a P45+, just be happy. You might wish to continue this type of work 10 years ongoing or longer. And even if your P45+ still hung in there and did the job for you, you would like the option to have this capability to use along with future advancement. If for nothing else, at some point, a newer, more reliable product than a 9 or 12 year old product.
I agree.
So, understand, from what I say, that I do not possess a non-appreciation of your situation and circumstance. I do appreciate it. But I am also aware of the reasonings behind it, and challenges involved and my perspective also reflects that.
It could be interesting if Phase One, or Leaf, or even Hasselblad, decided to produce a new product that incorporated long exposure ability like the P+ backs do, perhaps a single specialized sku. But it would probably be expensive, because of the R&D pull away from other projects that will have more universal appeal.
But ultimately, I suspect it is possible this may be a temporary issue as it is my belief that within say, 5 years perhaps, some sort of lower power, more sensitive sensor technology will be incorporated into medium format. And it is likely this new technology would be able to more easily accomplish this while also remaining flexible enough to innovate in other areas.
Also, I understand your comment about film being around forever, but I was discussing the reference to digital products, with regard to my statement about DSLR long exposure contrasted to medium format.
Sorry for the rather long post.
Steve Hendrix
