MF vs 35mm

[mahleu]

I can get a 5D or a PhaseOne P20 for around the same price. Which would you go for and why? I'd like to be able to use either for pretty much anything.

[Morgan_Moore]

I can get a 5D or a PhaseOne P20 for around the same price. Which would you go for and why? I'd like to be able to use either for pretty much anything.
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Do you understand the square chip of the P20 and the crop factor it introduces on a 645 system?

The widest lense easily available for 645 systems is 35mm - not wide enough if your definition of 'anything' includes wide images

I would say a normal range of lenses required to photograph 'anything' would start at 24 (35mm full frame) - you cant get that with a P20 without getting some pretty esoteric kit

Generally I would say go for a 5d

THe P20 can have its place in very specific part(s) of the market

Typically

-If you own a significant 645 kit you are looking to digitise on a budget

-If you shoot table top studio and are looking to intergrate with a view camera

- if you shoot weddings or portrait and enjoy delivering square images and are sure you can live without wide

-If you are sure that you are going full frame 645 in the future and want a stepped finincail route into this system

I would also suggest that most 645 shooters who are equipped to photograph 'anything' also have something like a 5d for backup anyway where decent AF or ISO or long lenses are needed

Most likely it is sensible to go 5d

SMM

[ddolde]

A P20 for under $3K?   I'd snap that up in a heartbeat.  Undoubtedly better image quality and 16 Megapixels to boot. To me there would be no choice.  

The P20 HAS an upgrade path...the 5D has none except another Canon body.

[D White]

Also think in terms of creative freedom and usability. In my hands, I have been more creative with 35mm based cameras than medium format. The most significant reason to use larger format has usually been for a boost in image quality. In the choices of equipment you have presented, I do not think you will see a significant, if any, quality improvement in the P20 to make up for the loss of flexibility and convenience.