I posted a while back about my considering making the jump from film to medium format digital, with a particular interest in the IQ260. Thanks to the folks around here that shared your thoughts and experience, it was very helpful to me.
Fast forward several weeks later, having rented the IQ260 with a Phase 645AFD+ body, and though the camera clearly produces stunning results, I wasn't thrilled with the body itself. If Phase/Mamiya could revamp the body I would be much more interested in moving towards their systems.
That said, I've been on the lookout for a used Hasselblad H4D-60 as I believe that camera would appeal to me more ergonomically, and I've seen them used turning up at lower prices than used IQ260 systems. Add to that the offering of very nice leaf shutter lenses and the system seems like a good one to consider. I realize long exposure won't be an option, but I've decided to let that go at this point. Can anyone out there who has used/owned the H4D-60 tell me what you think of it as compares to the IQ260/IQ160 and other full frame offerings out in the MF digital world?
Another factor I am considering is the health of Hasselblad as a whole. I recently read that Ventizz Capital may be ditching Hasselblad. I know the H-system is established, but with the death of the V-system and the recent Lunar/Steller/HV blunders, I wonder if by buying an H4D-60 I would be buying into a system that won't have a company supporting it soon (thinking Contax 645 here).
So clearly I am calculating my next move as much as I can before dropping big $$$, but I also know you gotta push your chips in somewhere at sometime and start taking pictures with what you got. The following was written some time ago that was a good reminder for me about how you have to just pick something a run with it in constantly evolving world of improving equipment. My favorite part about digital photography is below:
"The potential is always remarkable. But the medium never settles. Each year there is a better camera to buy and new software to download. The user never has time to become comfortable with the tool. Consequently too much of the work is merely about the technology. The HDR and QTVR fads are good examples. Instead of focusing on the subject, users obsess over RAW conversion, Photoshop plug-ins, and on and on. For good work to develop the technology needs to become as stable and functional as a typewriter."
- Toy Fatigue, Alec Soth
http://http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/11/26/toy-fatigue/
All that to say...H4D-60: Good move, bad move? What do you all think?
Best,
David Drennon
Fast forward several weeks later, having rented the IQ260 with a Phase 645AFD+ body, and though the camera clearly produces stunning results, I wasn't thrilled with the body itself. If Phase/Mamiya could revamp the body I would be much more interested in moving towards their systems.
That said, I've been on the lookout for a used Hasselblad H4D-60 as I believe that camera would appeal to me more ergonomically, and I've seen them used turning up at lower prices than used IQ260 systems. Add to that the offering of very nice leaf shutter lenses and the system seems like a good one to consider. I realize long exposure won't be an option, but I've decided to let that go at this point. Can anyone out there who has used/owned the H4D-60 tell me what you think of it as compares to the IQ260/IQ160 and other full frame offerings out in the MF digital world?
Another factor I am considering is the health of Hasselblad as a whole. I recently read that Ventizz Capital may be ditching Hasselblad. I know the H-system is established, but with the death of the V-system and the recent Lunar/Steller/HV blunders, I wonder if by buying an H4D-60 I would be buying into a system that won't have a company supporting it soon (thinking Contax 645 here).
So clearly I am calculating my next move as much as I can before dropping big $$$, but I also know you gotta push your chips in somewhere at sometime and start taking pictures with what you got. The following was written some time ago that was a good reminder for me about how you have to just pick something a run with it in constantly evolving world of improving equipment. My favorite part about digital photography is below:
"The potential is always remarkable. But the medium never settles. Each year there is a better camera to buy and new software to download. The user never has time to become comfortable with the tool. Consequently too much of the work is merely about the technology. The HDR and QTVR fads are good examples. Instead of focusing on the subject, users obsess over RAW conversion, Photoshop plug-ins, and on and on. For good work to develop the technology needs to become as stable and functional as a typewriter."
- Toy Fatigue, Alec Soth
http://http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/11/26/toy-fatigue/
All that to say...H4D-60: Good move, bad move? What do you all think?
Best,
David Drennon