Hi,
I would like to test an MFDB, but there are a couple of issues.
1) Cost, renting a top MFDB for a couple of days like buying a Sony Alpha 850
2) Making good test shots is in no way easy, so even if I rented an MFDB a couple of days I would not know if I utilized it optimally
Also, I cannot see what is wrong with using other peoples tests. Diglloyd essentially has testing as his business, it is very probable he makes better test images than I would. Miles Hecker's images are made with considerable care. Why would I think that I would devise better tests?
Regarding Marc's image, it's clear that he makes a statement. But it is routinely said that DR on MFDBs is several stops wider than on DSLRs, Marc's image clearly contradicts this, at least for shadow detail. I don't have any issue with MFDBs, I sort of considered buying both the Mamya ZD and the Pentax 645D and I never considered buying a Nikon D3X.
What I'm doubtful about are statements that don't match physics, like MFDBs having better color, better tonality, significantly more DR.
I have seen samples from Phase One clearly indicating better DR than Canon 1DsIII and Miles's sample here really indicate quite different color between P645D and D3X. Nevertheless, I don't believe in magic. If there is a difference there must be some logical explanation to it.
Best regards
Erik
Erik,
Well what can I say except have you shot any of your own work on a MF camera with a digital back? If you have to rely on what others post and think, you can't be sure yourself.
Look, every piece of gear will have its strengths and it might well be that a person could find a test shot scenario where one camera will come out on top. For example if I wanted to show that then canon 5D2 was better than a MF camera, I'd simple take a shot at ISO 3200 or one requiring auto focus. In those limited aspects one could say the DSLR was better. And in the p45+ v K5 image - sure the shadows could be lifted, but that's an exercise only for peepers. Which image looked better as posted by the OP? I'm sure that in most other examples and criteria the p45 would win easily. The point of the OP was to show the strength of the K5 and he did so. What would it look like if he wanted to show the strength of the p45?
Eric