Raymond Bliss
(K=3182) - Comment Date 8/25/2003
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There are digital backs available for medium format cameras. They have been around for over a decade or so, but the price puts them out of reach of the average photographer. The Phase 1 is probably the most well known. There are a couple of other companies that make digital backs, and I think Hassie now has a digital back available for their cameras. However, some of these backs can only work in the studio, as they don't use batteries for power, but are wired into your computer.
On the other hand, high resolution SLR's are quickly approaching the point of reaching or exceeding the resolution equivelant to film. And the other advantages to digital, ie. shorter turnaround time, instant preview/review, no drum scanning needed, etc, are turning the tables in favor of professional digital use. Commercial photography has always been a combination of quality versus time. Editors have deadlines to meet. With a faster turnaround time, they are likely to not quibble about any small loss of quality.
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Ron Wiginton
(K=295) - Comment Date 8/29/2003
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As Raymond mentioned, price is the biggest problem with MF Digital. At www.betterlight.com, prices range from $6500 - $25,000. (Although 144 Megapixels should give awesome results!)
Other places to check are: kodak.com, fujifilm.com, leafamerica.com, mega-vision.com, sinarbron.com, and phaseone.com
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Chris Evans
(K=795) - Comment Date 9/6/2003
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Leaf is making the best digital backs as far as I am concerned . I shoot a Mamiya 645afd with the new Leaf 22 mp back when I have a client willing to pay for it . I believe the 22mp is the most mp available at this time . The resulting photos are unreal to say the least . I recently had a client that insisted on me shooting their project in 4x5 large format . I shot some film but also shot the leaf back and had the edited files put on 4x5 using a film recorder . They liked the digital to film prints the best and went digital without even knowing it .
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Jim Ghiringhelli
(K=280) - Comment Date 12/2/2003
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the 22 MP leaf back is also a $27,000 item which is way beyoung my means and does not cover the full 645 size.
more like 36X36. It is the best however.
The web site Lumious landscpes has a review on the leaf back.
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Hollis Bennett
(K=127) - Comment Date 12/17/2003
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In regards to digi. on med. format, Imacon (the scanner people) also make some really really impressive difital backs for everything from Hassleblad to Mamiya to 4x5's. Anyways, what Im getting at is one specific model - the iXpress22. 22MP, produces 96MB files and here's the kicker, is powered by sony camcorder (or D100) batteries and has an internal hard drive (they call it a "magazine") that will store something like 1000 96MB images - you do the math. Also, one thing that makes medium/large format digital superior to 35mm equivalent DSLR's and will continue to put them ahead for the forseable future is the issue of bit depth. Headway has been made by the DSLR's but its not there yet.
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Erik Barnes
(K=17) - Comment Date 5/18/2004
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IMHO, MF is still king when it comes to quality. But, digital slr's are getting closer and closer every year in matching that of MF. Just wait, IMHO, in another 2-3 years, digital will be as close or if not surpassed that of MF. Not to take away from those who use MF. Just my opinion. I have seen some shots enlarged to a 30X40 from a 22mgp digital camera and the image blew my mind. They ARE getting closer and closer.
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