QUOTE (H1/A75 Guy @ Mar 9 2008, 06:26 PM)
Sorry for the 0ff-Topic. It is known that Leaf is 'working on' a revolving adapter mount for the AFi. There is no way Leaf can physically make a revolving adapter plate for existing AFi backs. Leaf can do one of two things: 1) Have you turn in your existing AFi back so they can remove the current mounting plate and add the new revolving mounting plate (which seems like a doubtful scenario). Or, 2) Offer the next generation AFi back with the revolving adapter plate at a later date. If Leaf gave some indication of of what the plan is for the revolving AFi back, I may be tempted to jump in sooner rather than later.
David
Everytime a new camera is introduced, from medium to 35m format it always seems to have some carryover from film cameras, as if nobody really started from a blank sheet of paper and all new parts.
Maybe the HY6 is closer to a digital only product, since the film back is what essentially motors the film transport, but is there really a need for a film option for this camera, since the two main companies that signed on are both focused on digital capture.
When a new camera like the HY6 or AFI comes out and a rotating back is almost like an afterthough, it puzzles me.
You would think that would have been there from the start, after all it's not a new concept and obviously worked very well considering the number of RZ's sold through the years.
It seems that medium format development is held back by the numbers and going to a new system is a big investment, for the maker and the user, that's why you see these forums lit up with requests for raw files, what back works with what lens, etc. etc.
Nobody wants to make the wrong decision and more importantly wants to buy into a system that they just can't get out of if it doesn't work for their style of photography or workflow.
I know when I added medium fromat from the dslr Canons, once I got past the iniital buy in, the biggest fear was a change of workflow.
Initially my studios post production workload went up by a factor of 10x's. Now it's still higher than it was with the dslrs, though now we also offer more in the way of post production services so maybe it's a wash.
I have a photographer friend that just got his first new digital back. I asked him what mount he put it in and he said the hasselblad V. I thought that was probably the worst of all decisions until you step back and think that not only does he have the camera and lens bought and paid for but he's use to working with the V. Other than a better capture device, his style of shooting will continue as before and his buy in is much less.
On the other hand I know a digital tech that is investing in his rental business and just added digital backs and went with the H system. It wasn't his personal favorite camera of choice, but as of this moment there is enough of these cameras in the market where the H is probably the standard, at least until the used market dries up.
I think in a way both of these decisions makes sense but it makes me wonder that if the initial price wasn't so steep, or if the new wave of proprietary cameras-to-backs wasn't a limitation what camera these two people would really go to.
JR
