After shooting digital for the past few years (Canon 10D), I'm considering what I know by some will be considered a backwards move; I'm contemplating switching to MF film, specifically, the Mamiya 7II + Epson V750-M Pro combo.
I mostly shoot landscapes and architecture, and have seen firsthand the kind of images that can be produced from a Mamiya 6/7 when scanned using a Nikon 9000ED and output to an Epson 7600.
After watching the Camera to Print segment on scanning and hearing the praises for the 750 by both Michael and Jeff, I see no reason to spend almost an extra $1000 on the Nikon.
What I'm after is a larger, more detailed negative (digital or otherwise) than can be achieved by 35mm, and the 6x7 format, to me, makes good sense (4x the size of 35mm, or so I've read). I regularly print larger than 16x20, and would love to go bigger (24x36, 30x40, etc.).
So my setup would be as follows:
Shoot 120 color with Mamiya 7II
Have local lab develop the negs
Scan negs using Epson 750-M Pro
Output to Epson 9800
What I'd like to know is, and please keep in mind, I have never developed my own MF negs, and I don't have the available space to do so, is there a problem with having a local photo lab (I'm in Chicago, so either Gamma, Precision, or Helix, but am open to other suggestions) develop my negs, and if so, are any of the issues, in your opinoin, a deal breaker?
Thanks!
Tim