Hi David,
I've been bowled over by the reactions I've received by placing this ad. It really has stunned me, the number of helpful and considerate people who've contacted me about this.
First of all, I'd like to say up front that I am very happy with my Hy6 system. I don't have any
need to move away or switch. But I felt that if I could move to a system that would address the last two issues I wrestle with (long, fast tele glass and limited shutter speeds), I'd have died and gone to heaven.
So I put a feeler out there to see if there would be any interest in my kit (in fact a swap is probably preferable with the economy the way it is, nobody seems to be flush with cash, so it makes buying the system outright that much more difficult.)
At this moment though, it looks like I'll be staying with my Hy6 kit. And if that is the case I will continue to invest in it (very likely in the form of a Leaf/Sinar AFi II 10), more AF glass and so on. I like where the manufacturer(s) are taking the system, Sinar USA has provided me with superb support, and there is plenty of glass available.
I'm not sure how I feel about carrying around two camera platforms just to handle my tele needs; It's something I'll have to consider more carefully; it is hard to get one system that will do absolutely everything so it's a matter of weighing tradeoffs.
Sinar's big advantage for me is the versatile adapter system. It's terrific that I actually have this option today. The reason I haven't gone for it and bought a Mamiya or a Contax is because I am looking seriously at the Sinar AFI II 10. Simply put, if I knew that the Sinar version of the AFI-II 10 would continue to allow me to swap mounts like my current back does, then I think I would be proceeding just as you suggest. Without the adapter system, my Mamiya or Contax would become orphaned camera system with (not inexpensive) fast tele glass. Or, I'd need to have two backs! Financing aside, that's just too much gear, and I'm looking for more efficient solutions than that.
Hence my willingness to move to a platform which does offer me wildlife glass (lenses which are both long and fast) within the one system.
But I'm definitely open to some creative ideas--I would honestly rather keep this system. Thank you for the PM--I'll be in touch.
And to the rest of the community--thank you for your wonderful support and suggestions as well! You folks are fantastic.
Take care,
Brad
Brad,
Can't help but think this is an extreme solution to an easily resolved concern. One of the great things about the Sinar system is the availability of user installable adapters allowing for a change in camera platform. I've got the same basic kit as you do with the addition of the adapter for the Contax 645 kit which I like very much. This gives me the flexibility to do what it seems you'd like to do. If you prefer Mamiya, there's an adapter for that platform as well. While they are not cheap, they aren't all that expensive either... at least not in the context of your kit. You've got some remarkable glass there and it seems a shame to me to give it up when you can have the best of both (or three, or four) worlds.
David