But my question, are you going to buy a 645Z?
BC
That's the question indeed. I could (just) if I really want to. I see much more in 4:3 and square than in 3:2, and have always dislike 35mm DSLRs. An MF camera is just the right tool for me. It used to be the Mamiya 6, Fuji 690s and the Hassy V. I have yet to replicate my love of any of those systems digitaly.
The 645z is a remarkable tool in many respects, but, for $8K, I'm held back by three things:
(i) the lack of electronic first curtain shutter, bc I believe that the shutter still degrades the IQ when working at the shutter speeds common to landscape and related work that I do a lot of, even on the best tripods. Leaf shutters or EFC solve this. As it is, I fear (though have not tested) that the D810 will be the functional equal of the 645z on many shots.
(ii) The lack of LS lenses limits usability for location strobe work.I have the 75 and 135 LS lenses, but they are manual focus and require manual re-cocking bw shots - a stop-gap solution at best.
(iii) Tethering is unproven. My next camera will be used much more for studio portraiture, and stable, quick, professional tethering is a major want (this one may be checked off when we actually get to try IT2)
and
(iv) (this is a bit silly, I know) but I believe there are a couple big announcements in the near offing. These may include a mirrorless implementation of this chip, as well as the release of Sony's next-gen FF 35mm top-end chip. I neither need nor want to drop $8K a month before this happens.
As I said in the first review, the 645z is
OH SO CLOSE. So here's another actual 645z shot, just 'cause.
- N.