Thierry has a point there. The H lenses are signicificantly more expensive than the Mamiya lenses unless you need the 28mm.
Now having said that, I use the H system and am very satisfied with it. I use MF primary and fall back on 35mm when I cannot use MF.
Nobody can decide but you whether MF is your thing. It is a very different way of working. I actually really like it. I have to take more time, think it over more carefully what I am doing (and going to do). It is a slower work pace. The mere thought of using a machine that spits out 10fps gives me the shivers, I also need to sort all these images out and process them
BTW. There currently is a very attractive offer for the H3DII31. Actually an offer that is so cheap I feel sorry for the people that recently bought it for the regular price.
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If the price of a medium format back and camera is what's tempting you, I strongly suggest waiting until price isn't the issue.
All of these cameras are workflows are very different and depending on what you shoot and the volume and deadlines you work under the wrong choice will cost you hundreds if not thousands of hours in lost time.
I am constantly amazed at the number of people I know that never really test a medium format back before buying and then once they buy it they suffer through the issues, usually thinking that all of the medium format backs are identical and they're not.
The result is once someone makes the wrong purchase, they usually just sell the back at a loss and go back to their Canons and that's an expensive lesson and probably not the right reaction.
I'm not pushing any brand and what works for me may not necessarily work for someone else, but if you don't have dealers in your area that will let you test multiple cameras, then fly/drive to someplace that does.
In testing I would suggest shooting the way you shoot your largest project, under as close to the exact conditions if possible, shoot a lot of files, under a lot of different light and then get the software and process the files as if you were on a deadline.
I know this seems like a lot of work and expense, but with medium format, even at mid level pricing, you can end up with a $50,000 investment very quickly and you don't want to try to e-bay 50 grand because of a mistake.
Also know that if you can't get a handle on the workflow you will begin to miss deadlines or find yourself working many late nights trying to catch up. In other words don't risk your livelyhood because one camera is 25% less in price than the other.
I firmly belive medium format does need a new pricing structure, whether it's in financing, or lease payments, or just some discounted buy back plan if the cameras do not work as advertised and they obviously need to get their cameras in an arena where someone can test them properly.
Few dealers, even in the U.S. have every brand of medium format cameras on the shelf, so just testing brand A next to Brand B can be difficult, but once again worthwhile.
Even trade shows normally just have the cameras behind a counter where the only thing you can do is click a few frames. Once again, don't test these in a store, test them in the exact conditions you shoot under.
Don't misunderstand me, I think there is a lot of value in shooting medium format and if you make the right selection it should be a system that will last you for a number of years.
Right now everyone is caught up in the new cameras and worried about dead end systems, but medium format cameras are historicaly very long lasting and since few people shoot thousands of frames a day there is always good cameras in the used market.
I'm also not pushing the Contax because of all it's attributes, it has some liabilities, but even a camera like the Contax that has been out of real production for a few years is available in every major and most minor markets.
If I was going to make a check list of what I need in a medium format camera it would cover a lot of territory, but workflow would be at the top of the list.
The second thing would be to get the phone number of every makers tech support line (if they have one) and call them with a question to see how they respond. Ask them what happens if the back breaks, or if you drop it, how long is the repair, is there a loaner today, not in two weeks.
Also don't get caught up in the buy now syndrome, because just like buying a car, if they offer a deal today, they will probably offer it again.
JR
