Reading a lot of the other threads at the moment, and it strikes me that nobody's asked that question.

We have the Hy6 (by all the brands) coming out, but will we ever have a full size sensor for it? It seems to me that the shrinking sales of MF (particularly with digital backs), as evidenced by Hasselblads apparent marketing strategies to consolidate their sales / customer base, and Phase One's presumable panic at the moment, that any company or companies would have the financial muscle to develop such a sensor.

It seems to me that such a development will have to come from a consortium, and with the market fragmenting in different, and more closed, directions, this seems unlikely.

Any thoughts on the matter would be of interest.

With a current market for less than 10,000 digital back sensors a year split between two different makers (Kodak and Dalsa), your question is a very interesting one.

I think it depends on the viability of the camera as a platform.

For >6x4.5-sized medium format SLRs that are current (as in, still in production), the market seems to boil down to two: the Hy6 and the Mamiay RZ 67. And the RZ is well-known, so I don't expect it to suddenly take the market by storm.

That leaves the Hy6 platform as the big unknown. If it evolves to become the new Hasselblad V-series, then my guess is that we will eventually see 6x6 sensors. But if it doesn't do so well, all medium format shooters will be on either 6x45 systems or out-of-production 6x6's. I think the likelyhood of a 6x6 sensor in that case would be dramatically lower.

Sinar has cited a 48x48mm sensor--whether that is actually in the works or just something that marketing dreamed up to differentiate the Hy6 from the 645 competition, I have no idea. My guess is that the Hy6 camp would like some differentiating value ASAP from the regular 645 camp, and that the larger sensor is in the works. A full 56mm x 56mm is probably at least another generation away, at best. (Sad, for me too, because I would love one as well).

-Brad

Hm, you must have a short memory then:

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....showtopic=17745

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....opic=18373&st=0

Well, anyways if someone Up There in larger sensors heaven is listening I would pay $100K for full size back integrated with Rz67 in case if you need beta tester. 35MP is perfect with me.
Andre

One need not look any further than proliferation of $1 million + exclusive cars. They have a waiting list? Bugatis screens their buyers whether they are worthy, true auto afficianado & their pedigree before they will take $100k + deposit! Audi just introduced their new $118k new car, Porsche is coming up with their $138k Panamera in 2008/9, Range Rover Sport just introduced "Limited" more expensive 14MPG SUV (they are last in JDPowers reliability & probably will be sold by Ford by Dec). There is more demand by the Nouveau riche - the bling crowd than ever. So you can bet the Brand recognition is alive & well. There is an absolute demand for just a handful of extra large sensor camera. And they WILL be scooped by few "special" rockgraphers, while we will be salavating on outside the velvet rope & blaming their business model. That's what my crystal ball shows.

My two comments: 1) The wafers that make them will need to get bigger and or cheaper before we see physically larger sensors. 2) You didn't hear it from me, which was also what was said to me when I was told, but 50MP 48x36 sensors already are "sitting" on the shelves so to speak of the main digital back companies (Kodak sensor users most likely) but there isn't much incentive to release these because the cost will be so much higher than where we are now and honestly, who cares if you have 39MP vs 50MP, not a huge difference. That's like going from 4MP to 5MP, big whoop. So we are probably a long ways off before 6x6 and 6x7 sensors. By then, there might only be one company called Hasselphasamiya. I shouldn't leave out other options, Leafinaramiya, Hasselblolleiphase, Syanarabladaphase. Just having fun.

You may be in luck. Dalsa has already created a 100MP sensor for the military. Anyway, more MPs than you may need but they could probably trim it down to fit in your small Rz67.

David

Who would make the housing?

Leaf or Sinar, naturally.

Ha Ha! Now I laughed at that one!

Personally, I'd be more interested in a 'proper' full frame 645 sensor. I'm thinking more about interior shooting here, where I can do with cropping what the lens can see!

Did you take into account the lenes?

I talked to a technican of Linos yesterday about the Rodenstock Apo Sironar Digital HR lenses with bigger Image Circles. He told me that lenses with this Resolution and an image circle of 120mm (quad stitch for the 39mpx sensor) would require front and back lenses that doesn't fit into existing large format scale cameras! (I think he took 8 x 10 cameras into account).
Yes this is an extreme example, but think about the BIG lenses you need for bigger sensors with high resolution (6,8 µm pixels). And bigger sensors with lower resolution seems to be a step backward to me.

So if you want to stay in the pixel race you have to join the NASA ;-)

Michael