Hi, I would suggest an open platform like a Hasselblad H1/H2 or Mamiya / Phase and a phase one / leaf back that way you can start with a very affordable back like a P25+ and then upgrade to a better back later but still keep your lens and camera body system. Phase One backs, even older ones, are quite serviceable and supported even in software.
Absolutely. An open platform gives you the chance to have two different sets of batteries in your camera, two chargers to carry, one for the back and one for the camera, and assembled sets of spare batteries to keep charged - MF systems consume batteries faster than I can eat chocolates, they don't display the frugality of pro 35mm models.
Also, having a back from Alice and a camera from maker Bob gives you the chance of being told by the back manufacturer Alice that the Bob camera is out of alignment or out of sync and they cannot fix it, and gives the camera guy the chance to say the same about the Alice back - of course the workshops for Alice and Bob happen not to be in the same country. I learnt all of the above when having a camera/back by Japanese Mamiya and European Phase (before Phase bought Mamiya), but I'm sure that Hassleblad and Phase are quite capable of finger pointing too even if they both were originally european companies,.
Remember that if back or camera develop a fault and they are not made by the same company, then there is a good chance that the unit which comes back after service will not align with the other half you own if it was a swap or got rebuilt, and of course we all know that the service for a discontinued product line is an absolute priority at any hight tech enterprise.
My advice: Batteries, camera/back alignment and service availability are what make a digital MF camera work. Make sure you have a single supplier of these three factors or else you will need a VERY helpful dealer, an assistant with an enthusiasm for chasing compatible parts, and/or a good backup SLR.
Last not least, I'm sure Capture Integration or Digital Transitions will chime in to say that they stand behind their preowned products and such problems don't happen to their customers. I agree - a good dealer is worth gold and if you buy from them you will have a safety net and may attempt such high wire gymnastics - otherwise just take the simple way out ... buy an obsolete but working $4K system as a unit. All Phase or all Hassie. The Hasselblads are superb cameras, even though the Phase files may well be better if only the file and the C1 software, and not the camera is judged. I just sold my Phase back, and I will get an old Hassy once the prices fall a bit more.
Edmund
