Canon 1Ds Mark III or Mamiya DL28?

[Noel_Carboni]

that "up the nose" shot is never flattering.

I know, but have you ever tried to direct your 16 year old (who happens to be taller than you) to pose well? I was lucky to get the image at all. I really just wanted a sharp eye shot.

-Noel

[David_Buzzard]

Think of the time you'll save not having to go back and clone out the veins from people's eyes if you go for the 1D2. That's like the Eye of Mordor.

[Jerry Skrocki]

I did a little more research on the medium format digital backs. It seems like there is a definite upsurge this year in medium format and I am assuming it is because digital 35mm has reached it's limit in terms of megapixel and signal to noise ratio.

Kodak and Dalsa are the major manufacturers of the sensors used in medium format. They are CCD based and offer larger photosites resulting in a much better signal to noise ratio. They do not have the anti-aliasing filters that 35mm sensors employ and most do not need microlenses due to the light gathering capabilities of the larger sensor and lenses. The medium format sensors that do have microlenses have increased ISO sensitivity. Medium format offers increased color depth and overall image quality.

Hasselblad H3DII-50 has a (49.1 x 36.8) 50 megapixel sensor (Kodak), but had to reduce the pixels to 6 microns from 6.9 in the previous 39 megapixel model. While the consumer is always looking for more megapixels, cramming smaller photosites in the same size sensor can result in the "blooming effect" that is now plaguing Canon in some of the 5D Mark II models.

H3DII-50

The Phase One P65+ digital back is now offering a 60.5 megapixel, (53.9 x 40.4mm) Dalsa sensor. The increase in both the number of pixels and sensor size, while retaining the 6 micron pixel size produces the greatest resolution and dynamic range possible in a non-scientific digital camera.

Phase One - P 65+

Jerry

[dwdmguy]

I can share more in a couple of days. My DL-28 just arrived today.

I can tell you that I did an extensive amount of research on this. You are 1/2 correct on re your statement regarding the MP limit. The only reason that we are seeing a MP growth is that the Camera MFR's are playing or riding the hype of MP. It is NOT about MP (unless you do very special studio work, it is clearly about Dynamic Range.
The DL-28 (Leaf 65s) will allow you to enjoy 12 stops of light dynamic range, this is awesome. And for landscape, you simply cannot get better.

I recently sold out my entire canon EOS collection. At first I was upset with the MKiii AF issues so I waited for the 5D MkII, I played with it for two days and I walked away angry. For a number of reasons.

I've been playing with the DL-28 today, not so much taking any images, I need better light, but I love the new grip, the interface of both the LEAF touch screen and the Mamiya AFD-III. I can post some more after a couple of days of usage. I also shoot LS.
Best,
Tom

[Warren Roos]

I realize that I am way late on this and you may have purchased but for what’s it’s worth...

Short answer answer 1DS Mark III.

And now for the long answer.

I have a MarkIII and and a phase P45+. The jump between the 24-28MP back and what you don’t get (scads of great camera features) is not worth it. Sure you get a bit more resolution but with a sharp lens 21MP (or 24 w/ Nikon) kicks you know what...Most MF backs camera bodies are years behind the 35 mm based systems as far as desirable/usable camera features. Jumping up to 39 MP or more for horsepower/resolution is worth it but again the camera it self is rudimentary compared to a Canon or Nikon system. I would hope the hasselblad and HY are more robust but as a Mamiya user I don’t know.

A new product called LensAlign allows you to correct focus problems that occur with most of your lenses. (they do!) I know with my MF Phase camera auto focus is not spot on and that there is no way for me to correct it. But now with your high end 35MM systems you can really get that eye sharp...

Don’t forget back in the day our for bearers got it done with soft B&W images but they had the right evocative content. A great image is great no matter how it is captured. Still I know there is nothing better than more horsepower.

[Klyment_Tan]

I apologize if the leaf shutter question has already been answered. Yes, you can access a flash sync up to 1/800s but there is currently only one lens in the Mamiya AFD lineup that can do that and it's an 80/2.8.

[Alberello]

I totally agree with you.

Originally Posted by Warren Roos

I realize that I am way late on this and you may have purchased but for what’s it’s worth...

Short answer answer 1DS Mark III.

And now for the long answer.

I have a MarkIII and and a phase P45+. The jump between the 24-28MP back and what you don’t get (scads of great camera features) is not worth it. Sure you get a bit more resolution but with a sharp lens 21MP (or 24 w/ Nikon) kicks you know what...Most MF backs camera bodies are years behind the 35 mm based systems as far as desirable/usable camera features. Jumping up to 39 MP or more for horsepower/resolution is worth it but again the camera it self is rudimentary compared to a Canon or Nikon system. I would hope the hasselblad and HY are more robust but as a Mamiya user I don’t know.

A new product called LensAlign allows you to correct focus problems that occur with most of your lenses. (they do!) I know with my MF Phase camera auto focus is not spot on and that there is no way for me to correct it. But now with your high end 35MM systems you can really get that eye sharp...

Don’t forget back in the day our for bearers got it done with soft B&W images but they had the right evocative content. A great image is great no matter how it is captured. Still I know there is nothing better than more horsepower.