The Pentax 645D Option!
It seems that photo forums all over the web discuss whether MF is dead now that full frame SLRs have reached a similarly high resolution. Do we need a similar discussion here? I am not so sure, but I would like to try. What do you think? Do modern MF cameras still have compelling advantages over high end SLRs? Leaving the question of cost or bulk and weight aside for the moment, would you consider one for yourself?
So far, I'm convinced that the Nikon 40 MP sensor does have an edge in resolution over the Canon 5DIII, but I doubt that it yields superior prints above 20"x30". I am still looking at whatever reviews I can find, so to me, it's Canon v. Pentax 645D for my studio or landscape work or else I'd go for the best of the 80 MP sensors, (if I could find the cash).
My guru in this subject is Nicolas Claris, (one of the forces in the building of OPF when Robgalbaith.com was sold and the started to charge folk to access out posts, LOL). Nicolas, with Marine, his equally talented wife own a business promotion agency,
Claris, Image Builder specializing in high end nautical vessels, often into the many millions of dollars. Nicolas does the photography, first at the shipbuilding yard, (from the laying of the keel to it's building, fitting out with engines, electronics, state rooms) and finally rigging and first voyages. The books that are made for the 50 million dollar yachts may cost more than 1-2 of Lamborghinis, with just 12-18 copies in the entire edition, for the owner, architects and a few privileged associates!
In this rare world of luxury and high achievement, only the most inventive nautical architects and engineers are used, the materials are first grade and the leathers and woods the finest obtainable on the planet. So the photography is taken very seriously and measured to the same exacting standards. For most of the time in the past two decades, Nicolas used Canon, from 14-600mm, whether in the boat yard, the staterooms or at sea from a chase boat or helicopter. Routinely the pictures were printed at exhibitions up to 3.5 meters high. His work has garnered many international awards for boating photography with the Canon systems, (generally, 1DS models). However several years ago, he had the opportunity to test the Sinar Hy6 camera with the sinar digital back. That was a major change. I could feel, all the way from Bordeaux to California his excitement at the increased quality, (despite the frustrations in handling a new file system with different responses to RAW processing). Then after being converted to MF expectations of more subtle colors and tonalities, he tried the much more economical and (commercially viable) Pentax 645D system. For about 12 months this has been his main shooting camera and he's sold much of his large collection of Canon bodies and glass.
Since 98% of Nicolas' photography is competitive commercial work, the choice to move to Pentax means that he feels, on a business level, the extra cost and slower pace of a MF system are outweighed by increase in quality. I'm looking at the same set of choices and will start printing some of his Pentax files to see how I feel about the differences from my 5DII and the other competing MF cameras in my price range.
Still please, Pentax, either use DNG files or give your code to Phase One Adobe and Apple so we can have choices in using your wonderful Pentax Camera!
Asher
