Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: etrump on July 30, 2007, 10:52:20 am
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I received my P30 and have had a few days to play with it so I thought I would post some first impressions to further confuse those who are mulling over a DB purchase. I am using it with a Mamiya 645AFDII.
1. First and foremost, the back is extremely easy to use. I am pretty much addicted to the control configuration of canon 5D and 1D Mk III but after 1 pass through the manual I had everything down. I thought the 4 buttons would require endless menus but the truth is, it is simple requiring just a few depressions to do anything.
2. Coming from the canon gear, the dynamic range of the P30 is really incredible. The best test I could think of was to shoot puffy clouds in the middle of the day. With the canon gear I almost always have to use HDR to get anything close to usable. With my first exposure on the P30 I checked the exposure warning and nothing. I thought I might have under exposed it, but the histogram looked right. Needless to say from the first shutter release I was sure I had made a good move. I expected more DR but I have to say, my first experience in the field really brought a smile to my face. I just finished reading Alain's book Mastering Landscape Photography and I think I will do his DR testing on both cameras.
Here is a 5D HDR using three exposures:
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Ed:
I recently made the move up to Phase One as well (1ds2 > P45) and I have found that even smaller prints look better now. You will love the really big ones! (I had to order a larger printer...)
Tim Ernst, a fellow Arkansas fellow
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Tim,
I knew you had upgraded which was one of the MANY factors in deciding on the P30 over the Leaf 65.
I love your work.
Since your reading this, I emailed a reg to your wildflower workshop and have not gotten a response. AM I IN?
Regards,
Ed
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I am putting together a Mamiya 645 AFD II system so that I can make the same move in the future. I need maximum DR. Has any one tested the DR of different MF backs or sensors to compare DR? I would favor DR to resolution for my use.
I've looked at the specifications and they all say 12 stops but some sensors/backs must be better than others in DR. For me budget is an important consideration so I'm considering the Mamiya zd back but don't want to make a wrong decision if another sensor/back has significantly better DR.
Thanks
Marc