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I have a digital Sigma SD1O for digital photography but want a Medium format camera.
Has anyone used the H1 yet? What about the Contax 645? These are the two I've broken the list down to. I know at present the H1 digital back is way to expensive unless the lottery comes in LOL but I would expect them to get cheaper as more companys jump on the bandwagon.
My suggestion
Hang on until September - put a deposit down as soon as it is announced and buy a new 1Ds MkII. No guranteed specs, but likely 14-16MP and a full frame chip and almost a 100% certainty to be annouced at the Photokina show.
Sell your Sigma SD10.
You'll have medium format quality, 35mm flexibility and a wider range of lenses.
Mike
I have the Contax (bought s/h) with 80mm and 210mm lenses. Its a beauty. I haven't tried the Hassy though it looks a splendid beast. IMHO though the H-1 is appallingly overpriced. New, the Contax is 3K for the kit (FWIW I paid 2K for mine); the Hassy is IIRC closer to 4.5K.
The Contax shutter speeds run from 1/4000th to 8 secs + bulb, the Hasselblad from 1/800th to 18 hours (!) + bulb and time. The Hassy lenses are I think leaf shutter, so flash sync should be possible at all speeds. The Contax sync is 1/125th with focal plane shutter.
The H1. As the new digi backs come online the 11mp units are on the second hand market at very reasonable prices - plus you have the machinery for when you can afford the newer backs. I'm not too sure about the 1DS mk2 with 16mp unless they supply a brand new chip that's up to the job.
Thanks for the information I still want to keep the Sigma as I'm getting some good results from it and would like to use this as a backup. It's the medium format which I'm really interested in although the 1D looks to be a great camera I still want to move into Medium format + when technology changes the medium format will allow different backs rather than buying another complete camera.
Hi Vince, I have the Contax and like you I tried/read all the MF rigs out there before I settled for the Contax. Why? Because with the H1 it seems to be only MF camera out there that offers a clear path to digital. I also thought that the H1 was way overpriced given that it is a Fuji made under license (It is badged as a Juji in Japan). The plus with the Contax is that your are buying Carl Zeiss lenses. The Hassy has Fuji lens. I can't speak for the H1 but i'm sure that it's a great camera. IMO You'd have to be super critical to notice the difference between the two. I shoot weddings and people and I've had outstanding results from the Contax 645 and I am very glad that I saved myself a few Ks. If you do go the Contax route, I'd strongly recommend that you also buy a MP-1 battery pack.
Much has been made of the fact that the H1 is made by Fuji, and the lack of German glass. Don't think for one minute that Hasselblad would allow the camera on the market if it didn't come right up to scratch. Blad were involved in lens design and spec from the very beginning and they are superb. Overpriced? Far from it.
keith,
Whether the H-1 is overpriced is of course a matter of personal opinion. But is it really worth around 50% more as a kit than the Contax?
If having flash available up to 1/800th is important, then yes maybe. If 1/125th is adequate, then IMHO no way.
Hasselblad
Contax
For me Tim, that's comparison enough
Hi Keith,
Now if that had been Hasselblad / Seagull I'd have no problems at all. What is it you don't like about Contax though? Just interested in your thoughts.
As for the flash thing, then yes the Hassy is better for you. I think it bears repeating though that if that sync speed isn't necessary for what Vince needs, there's no point in shelling out the extra. The Contax 645 may not be "designed for digital", but from what I've heard it works fine with backs made to fit it.
I've used both, film and digital, and just had to come down on the side of the Blad. More user friendly, ergonomicly(sp?) better, and the firmware is far superior. The much maligned Fuji lenses are in fact superb and the whole package suits digital down to the ground. It comes down to personal choice doesn't it...and yes the Blad is cooler....and so is the tech support and service.
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