professional medium format dslr ?

Hi
i am so used and love working with medium format film slr cameras , that it realy bothers me now to switch to dslr, because most dslr cameras seem to be the equivalent of 35mm film slr .
now my question is is there a dslr on the market that is equal to a medium format film slr camera ?
if so what brand and model can i look at ?

Thanks;Bob

Hi Bob,

There are some under $10K, and a few around $5K. Same as a middle format film camera, but with a digi back. The nicer ones run $20K to $50K.

It may be possible to get a back only for your film camera. Depends on the make.

Matthew

An example (for under $10K):

www.pentaximaging.com/slr/645D/

What do you mean "equal to a medium format film slr camera"?

If you mean apparent image quality all I can say is that soon after I started hanging large prints (16"x20"+) from my Canon 5D next to large prints from my Pentax 67II and Hasselblad 500c/m I put those cameras on the auction block. This spring I finally closed down my darkroom so my wife and kids could reclaim the space (most folks have a closet darkroom, my darkroom had a walk-in closet ). I had huge stacks of test prints I'd never thrown out. As I sorted through them, mostly from 6x6, 6x7, and 4x5, I decided the only regret I had about switching to digital was resisting it for so long.

I do hate the small viewfinders. Other than that I've found most differences in switching to 35mm size/feature gear yet getting medium format film image quality to be advantageous. Hiking with a 35mm DSLR and tripod sure leaves a lot more energy come shooting time than when I carried the tripod, film holder bag, and backpack full of 4x5 gear.

Henry Peach wrote: What do you mean "equal to a medium format film slr camera"?

If you mean apparent image quality all I can say is that soon after I started hanging large prints (16"x20"+) from my Canon 5D next to large prints from my Pentax 67II and Hasselblad 500c/m I put those cameras on the auction block. This spring I finally closed down my darkroom so my wife and kids could reclaim the space (most folks have a closet darkroom, my darkroom had a walk-in closet ). I had huge stacks of test prints I'd never thrown out. As I sorted through them, mostly from 6x6, 6x7, and 4x5, I decided the only regret I had about switching to digital was resisting it for so long.

I do hate the small viewfinders. Other than that I've found most differences in switching to 35mm size/feature gear yet getting medium format film image quality to be advantageous. Hiking with a 35mm DSLR and tripod sure leaves a lot more energy come shooting time than when I carried the tripod, film holder bag, and backpack full of 4x5 gear.

Well said and I agree on every point.

Thanks Henry peach
your realy convincing me on these points, since i havent had the chance yet to compare the image quality of dslr image versus medium format film image (large printsn 24 X 36).
after all its the image quality that im looking for when maling poster size prints.
about mega pixel size camera what would be the minimum for me to look for ?
Thanks;Bob

First do a search for "the megapixel myth" on Google.

In short, it isn't about MP's. Though they are a factor, if you want something big and sharp, you need a good lens and good post processing (and printing).

Matthew

Matthew
Youve got my attention on this point , to tell you the truth i didnt think of it this way at all.
now im getting a pretty clear mind on what i should look for as dslr materials.
Thanks; Bob

Glad to help.

When i saw the Hasselbla

d Ferrari model and the price I had to laugh- so what kind of financing are they offering these days when the camera costs more than my jeep Grand Cherokee that gets me to the location ?

I imagine those who can afford the Ferrari model can afford a Jeep too. Or a Range Rover.

Unless you're doing commercial work every day, or selling fine art landscapes at large size there's no point to Medium format.

Get yourself a 1ds Mark III or a Nikon D3x and go to town.

thanks for the lead scotty
does the canon 1ds mark III accept cable trigger ?
ive took a quick look at it and desnt seeem to have a slot for a cable trigger.
im doing mostly landsacpe photos and i kind of like the canons for the price tag compare to nikon.
thanks again;BOB

bob1816 wrote: thanks for the lead scotty
does the canon 1ds mark III accept cable trigger ?
ive took a quick look at it and desnt seeem to have a slot for a cable trigger.
im doing mostly landsacpe photos and i kind of like the canons for the price tag compare to nikon.
thanks again;BOB

Yes (of course) the 1DsIII (and the D3x) both have ports for cable triggers.

Both are great cameras, but the Canon is due for a replacement... so you might consider waiting or going Nikon.

Also trying your hands on them, it made the difference with my first dslr. Granted I was starting out and not just going the major jump that you are. I personally found that Nikon fit my hands better. My son's hands seem to fit better on Canon but at 12yo his hands are larger than mine. Good luck in your search.

Qmamom wrote: Also trying your hands on them, it made the difference with my first dslr. Granted I was starting out and not just going the major jump that you are. I personally found that Nikon fit my hands better. My son's hands seem to fit better on Canon but at 12yo his hands are larger than mine. Good luck in your search.

While it's good you're trying to help and ergonomics are definitely important. I think you miss the point a little. Medium Format is VERY high end and is more about IQ than anything else. We're talking cameras that cost more than most people's cars when we talk MF. It's crazy I know.