Hi Edmund,
Good point!
I would think that the X1D has a couple of advantages over most competitors.
- The lenses are designed for the actual sensor size.
- Autofocus is based on contrast detection.
In all probability the lenses are a bit sharper than lenses designed for the full 645 format. My understanding is also that they are calculated for 100 MP sensor resolution.
Contrast detecting auto focus (CDAF) is as accurate as it gets, as it does analyse the actual image. In almost all cases PDAF is less accurate. But, both CDAF and PDAF can have issues with focus shift. With CDAF it is possible to focus at any aperture.
So the X1D has a great set of lenses and a very accurate focusing system. Leaf shutter and no mirror keeps vibrations low. So, it is quite probable that the X1D can deliver excellent image quality.
If a photographer used 8"x10" and hw now happens to be using the X1D does not say that the X1D matches 8"x10".
Back in 2006, when the 39 MP P45 arrived, quite a few photographers switched from 4"x5" to the P45. Some discussions here:
https://luminous-landscape.com/single-video/interview-charles-cramer/https://luminous-landscape.com/single-video/california-llvj-16/So, it may be a relevant assumption that something like 39 MP is good match for 4"x5" film scanned at 2000PPI, which semt to be what the folks in the videos compared with.
8"x10" has four times the area of 4"x5", so I don't think that X1D can match that. But taking other factors into account, like vibrations, film flatness, wind it may be much more practical.
It would be interesting to compare the X1D with the H6D50c. I would guess that the X1D would win. But, would you compare the X1D to the H6D100c it would win.
I guess that X2D is around the corner somewhere, with the new 100 MP sensor. Will the 100 MP X2d match the H6D100c?
Having well performing MFD at decent prices is very nice.
Best regards
Erik
What I find interesting about recent X1D threads is that many users really like the camera. Hassy have hit a home run. If the price of a good relationship with Sony was Lunar, maybe it was worth it
Edmund