Dante Alighieri
Member
Absolutely.
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Please help convince me to keep my IQ4150...or not
- Thread starter peterm1
- Start date
Bill Caulfeild-Browne
Well-known member
I love my Phase system (XF & XT) for serious, premeditated photography where I want the absolute best files. But for more casual "must have a camera with me" I've moved back to Leica M. My back is straighter as a result.
So agree with those who , like me, have the luxury of two systems. Use'm and enjoy'em. Besides, one's age and tastes change - what you prefer today maybe not the one that appeals to you tomorrow.
Carpe Diem!
So agree with those who , like me, have the luxury of two systems. Use'm and enjoy'em. Besides, one's age and tastes change - what you prefer today maybe not the one that appeals to you tomorrow.
Carpe Diem!
While I like the X2D for hiking and general / landscape photography, I still prefer the XF/IQ4 150 for shooting in a studio or in a "production setting". While the XCD lenses are very sharp and lightweight and compact and with negligible distortion, they tend to vignette quite a lot, especially the newest V lenses (mostly corrected in the software but not entirely..which most often is no problem but sometimes it is). I also much prefer working with Capture One. While Phocus can generate excellent colours, I find it unreliable (frozen three times in the past hour, just while browsing images...). Too much hassle learning how to do things in Phocus. Then it is back to Lightroom Classic which is not my favourite processor. I may sell the X2D soon and just stick to my SL2 for travel (with M lenses) and general photography. And the IQ for my model shoots when I work with a team etc.
I see two options: you could wait a little to see if Hasselblad introduces a 100-megapixel Back at a reasonable price. Then as you say the ability to use the same lenses could really shine. You could also buy a used V and have a couple of lenses for film, as you can. the IQ4.
The second one is to take into account that the IQ4 sensor could be the last of the big MF sensors. Maybe it won't, but maybe it will. If you got the IQ4 at a very good price it could serve you for decades and your pictures will not look dated even when Canon introduces the 100 megapixels mirrorless. Bigger pixels, large area sensors, and expensive lenses will do great for years.
Best regards,
4*Paul
Member
Hello Peter
I’m a little bit late to the party on this one and everyone else has given some very sensible advice. However, it would be remiss of me not to comment as I have the same equipment and been through a similar dilemma.
The outcome is that I’ve kept both on the basis that, even though it is used less, the IQ4 150 on a Tech Cam is a unique and satisfying way to take “thoughtful “ photographs.
The X2D is brilliant for spontaneous use on a long walk and produces excellent results. But will never match the immersive experience of using shift, tilt, frame averaging and incredible quality that the Tech Cam/IQ4 delivers.
If you need the money, sell. If not, hold onto it and enjoy the the comfortable feeling of having two exceptional options that can satisfy the vast majority of your (photographic) desires.
Paul.
I’m a little bit late to the party on this one and everyone else has given some very sensible advice. However, it would be remiss of me not to comment as I have the same equipment and been through a similar dilemma.
The outcome is that I’ve kept both on the basis that, even though it is used less, the IQ4 150 on a Tech Cam is a unique and satisfying way to take “thoughtful “ photographs.
The X2D is brilliant for spontaneous use on a long walk and produces excellent results. But will never match the immersive experience of using shift, tilt, frame averaging and incredible quality that the Tech Cam/IQ4 delivers.
If you need the money, sell. If not, hold onto it and enjoy the the comfortable feeling of having two exceptional options that can satisfy the vast majority of your (photographic) desires.
Paul.
Don Libby
Well-known member
Some might remember I used to shoot exclusively with Phase One using both the XF and a Cambo. But that was several years ago.
I sold my Cambo and Phase One shortly after Fuji released the GFX50 and surprising enough I have no regrets. Yeah, the Cambo IQ100 was a great combination however it became a tad too heavy for me. Likewise, the XF and any lens quickly became a huge boat anchor. My main interests have always been landscape, nature and wildlife and the Phase One/Cambo more than met with 2 ½ of those. Wildlife was very iffy due to a combination of available focal lengths and auto-focus.
I remember getting the GFX and waiting several months before taking the plunge to sell the Phase/Cambo equipment. Actually, I remember stating I’d wait for 6-months ending up making up my mind much sooner.
I now have the GFX100 which gets me back to where I was several years ago. Likewise, I hitting 100% of what my work consists of. I’ve also added shooting dark skies and the milky way with a system that is much more suited for my work.
I’m very happy with my current system and as I said have no regrets. This is a long winded response saying only you can decide. I’m unfamiliar with the Hasselblad system, however if it’s anything like Fuji there shouldn’t be a huge issue.
I still use Capture One as well as PS and don’t know if you could do that with the Hassy. That said it might be a minor thing relearning a new system if need be.
I found out several years ago that there are many systems that are just as good as Phase One. Don’t get tied down to a brand if you can help it.
Good luck…
I sold my Cambo and Phase One shortly after Fuji released the GFX50 and surprising enough I have no regrets. Yeah, the Cambo IQ100 was a great combination however it became a tad too heavy for me. Likewise, the XF and any lens quickly became a huge boat anchor. My main interests have always been landscape, nature and wildlife and the Phase One/Cambo more than met with 2 ½ of those. Wildlife was very iffy due to a combination of available focal lengths and auto-focus.
I remember getting the GFX and waiting several months before taking the plunge to sell the Phase/Cambo equipment. Actually, I remember stating I’d wait for 6-months ending up making up my mind much sooner.
I now have the GFX100 which gets me back to where I was several years ago. Likewise, I hitting 100% of what my work consists of. I’ve also added shooting dark skies and the milky way with a system that is much more suited for my work.
I’m very happy with my current system and as I said have no regrets. This is a long winded response saying only you can decide. I’m unfamiliar with the Hasselblad system, however if it’s anything like Fuji there shouldn’t be a huge issue.
I still use Capture One as well as PS and don’t know if you could do that with the Hassy. That said it might be a minor thing relearning a new system if need be.
I found out several years ago that there are many systems that are just as good as Phase One. Don’t get tied down to a brand if you can help it.
Good luck…
Smoothjazz
Active member
It is true that the Fuji cameras will do a lot that Phase can do, but I have to say the Frame Averaging tool you have in the Phase camera system is pretty amazing. Also the Dual Exposure is a great tool.
PeterA
Well-known member
I sold my Porsche GTS and bought a VW Golf for shopping duties and bought a BMW S1000RR so that I could mount a DJI on the front of my helmet and make nice videos of me fanging around and doing 100MPH in second gear. Having fun with making images is a changing thing for most people and the tools that they think they need/want change accordingly - same for anything(s).
After having fun with buying photography gear over the last 30 years or so - the single best decision I ever made was to sell everything that was too heavy or large or specialised and stop kidding myself about the gear forcing 'contemplative shooting' modes or producing 'better' photos - of anything. It helps a lot that my Leica gear ( which is too nice in the hand to sell ) produces 50-60+ megapixels of cropability - since framing in camera has always been a non issue for my street shooting - rarely do I ever bring the camera to eye to make a shot - the contemplation for me is looking for scenes and light worth clicking- and that is it. FOr family snaps my Iphone is unbeatable - from camera to family album and happy memories in a few seconds.
It is interesting to see what 100K plus worth of camera gear in MF land actually 'made' in terms of memorable shots - yes I have a few very large prints hanging here or there in my places or other people's- but that is 'art' by the meter- wall coverings. 30 megapixels 50 megapixels, 100 megapixels - the difference in final print is indiscernible - except for those who think 'worth' is some sort of marginal resolution in detail that no one looks at anyway. That is not to say though - that for any person 'worth' may actually be using more megapixels than the next chap.
I guess that is a long winded way of saying - use what you enjoy and dont let what you use influence you too much about what you enjoy shooting. If 150MP is your thing- well use that thing. I guarantee you that the only person that will care is you.
atb
Pete
After having fun with buying photography gear over the last 30 years or so - the single best decision I ever made was to sell everything that was too heavy or large or specialised and stop kidding myself about the gear forcing 'contemplative shooting' modes or producing 'better' photos - of anything. It helps a lot that my Leica gear ( which is too nice in the hand to sell ) produces 50-60+ megapixels of cropability - since framing in camera has always been a non issue for my street shooting - rarely do I ever bring the camera to eye to make a shot - the contemplation for me is looking for scenes and light worth clicking- and that is it. FOr family snaps my Iphone is unbeatable - from camera to family album and happy memories in a few seconds.
It is interesting to see what 100K plus worth of camera gear in MF land actually 'made' in terms of memorable shots - yes I have a few very large prints hanging here or there in my places or other people's- but that is 'art' by the meter- wall coverings. 30 megapixels 50 megapixels, 100 megapixels - the difference in final print is indiscernible - except for those who think 'worth' is some sort of marginal resolution in detail that no one looks at anyway. That is not to say though - that for any person 'worth' may actually be using more megapixels than the next chap.
I guess that is a long winded way of saying - use what you enjoy and dont let what you use influence you too much about what you enjoy shooting. If 150MP is your thing- well use that thing. I guarantee you that the only person that will care is you.
atb
Pete
Pete what you wrote definitely resonates with me, especially the statement that "the only person that will care is you." I went into the Leica store the other day to compare my X2D with a Q2M in terms of weight, how it felt in the hand, etc., and I was surprised how small and light the Q2M felt (I used to have one but forgot how small it was), and how small the M11 looked in comparison to my X2D. I love small and light cameras that provide great quality (I would include the Ricoh GRIII here too, although I don't love using it). The X2D is still my overall favorite, but I can potentially see picking up a Q2M for the size, speed, stealth, fast AF and amazing file quality.
In terms of the IQ4150, I am still on the fence. I am sure if I use it a lot I will be wowed by the file quality and ability to use frame averaging, etc., but at the same time it would be nice to dump the heavy gear and not worry about also having to learn how to use C1, etc., not to mention recouping some of my cost. Time will tell as to how much I will use it....
guphotography
Well-known member
Head will only fool you into where heart isn't
I think you have said it all with respect to your plight.... Best of luck with your decision. If you plan to sell then now is the time, not tomorrow.
Victor B.
rdeloe
Well-known member
When this thread began, I started a betting pool to pick the date you would come to this decision. Now we have to see who was the closest. I think it was Victor but have to check.
Seriously though, good call. Life is short. Even if it's not about the funds tied up in the equipment, if you're not using it and you're not a collector or hoarder, it's just taking up space. Enjoy your lighter load and greater flexibility!
@rdeloe, you may have to recheck on the bet - I decided to keep it for now!
I gave it a lot of further consideration this past weekend, and decided that I owe it to myself to give it a few more months and see how much I use it over the summer when I do most of my shooting. I shoot a lot by the coast and plan to put frame averaging to good use.
As tempting as it is to get the shiny new toy (in my case, the M11M and some small M lenses), I am resisting GAS and sticking with the Phase One / Hasselblad X2D systems (which are frankly amazing). I need to spend some time learning C1 a bit better to work with the IQ4150 files though. As far as having a small camera to carry around and use, I'm going to take my GRIII out of the closet and carry it around some more.
BTW, I reserve the right to change my mind again
Thanks everyone for your input!
Peter
I gave it a lot of further consideration this past weekend, and decided that I owe it to myself to give it a few more months and see how much I use it over the summer when I do most of my shooting. I shoot a lot by the coast and plan to put frame averaging to good use.
As tempting as it is to get the shiny new toy (in my case, the M11M and some small M lenses), I am resisting GAS and sticking with the Phase One / Hasselblad X2D systems (which are frankly amazing). I need to spend some time learning C1 a bit better to work with the IQ4150 files though. As far as having a small camera to carry around and use, I'm going to take my GRIII out of the closet and carry it around some more.
BTW, I reserve the right to change my mind again
Thanks everyone for your input!
Peter
Bill Caulfeild-Browne
Well-known member
Speaking as one who is lucky enough to have both the Phase system and the M11, I'd never give up the Phase. Much as I love the Leica, it does not have the DR of the Phase, let alone the resolution. But the Leica is MUCH lighter!@rdeloe, you may have to recheck on the bet - I decided to keep it for now!
I gave it a lot of further consideration this past weekend, and decided that I owe it to myself to give it a few more months and see how much I use it over the summer when I do most of my shooting. I shoot a lot by the coast and plan to put frame averaging to good use.
As tempting as it is to get the shiny new toy (in my case, the M11M and some small M lenses), I am resisting GAS and sticking with the Phase One / Hasselblad X2D systems (which are frankly amazing). I need to spend some time learning C1 a bit better to work with the IQ4150 files though. As far as having a small camera to carry around and use, I'm going to take my GRIII out of the closet and carry it around some more.
BTW, I reserve the right to change my mind again
Thanks everyone for your input!
Peter
Maxx9photo
Active member
In other words Horses for Courses. One system would probably not as good as another but if and it’s only if I think the direction of crop medium format i.e Hasselbald and Fuji would soon be the one and ultimate system that can cover multiple photography applications.
JeffK
Well-known member
did the same with my IQ3 100 Achromatic. Only lasted a day before I took it down.
georgecleansman
Member
I don't have Phase One equipment, but I like to answer this way: I will always keep my Hasselblad H6D-100c because of the image quality with the color reproduction I appreciate and will never sell it. I think the heavier cameras are best for deliberate photography as you use them on a tripod. I therefore don't use my H6D-100c for snapshots but mainly for landscape shots, sometimes for portraits. Since I am an old Hasselblad fan, I have now bought an X2D-100c with the new XCD 38V as a backup and at the same time for more portability. There I "stay in the family" and I can use my Hasselblad HC lenses additionally on the X2D-100c. I like my two Hasselblad cameras equally because they cover different application areas. And when I go on hikes, I take my Leica M11 with me. But in the end, it's the photographer who shoots the image, not the camera.