I have one dealer in Portugal and I think it would be cool to get more info with him. I'll appreciate your help in that case of combination software/OS. I pay much attention and I don't want to fail any shoot. For me is not only the sensor size and the quality, is the way I use it. I hope I can improve and get better working with Medium Format.
![contax 645 digital back phase one contax 645 digital back phase one](http://photoartsmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/MBP4536.jpg)
I know we're talking about many money but I'm getting good returns for now. Then I'll start to get some new lenses and other acessories. I'd like to invest that money in parts, and the digi back it would be the first part because I know I can do some works only with this begginers kit. I really liked them but Contax is AMAZING. This Contax is new, and I only did one roll with it but I had one Pentax 645 and Mamiya RB67 before. I only use MF lenses as Leica and Carl Zeiss (my boss doesn't believe how I can do that but I do) and I love Medium Format. I use Canon 5D a lot and I'd like to buy the new Canon 5D Mark II for me. I end my photography course and I'm assisting one of the best portuguese fashion photographers.
![contax 645 digital back phase one contax 645 digital back phase one](https://luminous-landscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/645.jpg)
I'm new in the medium format, in fact I'm new in photography. That sort of thing personally pains me.īy the way this is NOT a digg at footoograaf with whom I have no experience positive or negative. If he had purchased the same back from us (assuming he could have made the budget) I know he would have had a positive experience because he would have done training with me in advance of his first shoot and I would have made sure he wasn't using such deprecated software/OS combination.
![contax 645 digital back phase one contax 645 digital back phase one](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images1000x1000/Mamiya_010_13010a_Leaf_Credo_80MP_Digital_871307.jpg)
In the end he shelved the medium format back and left my office with many swear words saying that medium format was useless trash.
Contax 645 digital back phase one software#
Turns out he was using a VERY early version of the software (the one that comes on the CD sold years ago) with an incompatible version of the OS. Furthermore he had absolutely no clue about software and was doing a shoot on location in South America when he started getting corrupted images. The back had no warranty, and the price of repairs to bring the back was about as much as he paid for the system. The orientation sensor in the back was busted and the CCD had a line-error (similar to a dead pixel on a monitor) he got the back for what he assumed was a "steal" (based on looking at the price of a used back with warranty from a dealer the price he negotiated with the seller was about half). Just last month we had a gentlemen who ended up very mad at US after he bought a used back from a seller in Miami. Part of my advice here comes from my experience with many first-time medium format buyers who jump onto a "deal" - generally by buying used from a private individual - without 1) the budget for the total cost 2) understanding the system they are buying 3) understanding that they will need a dealer to help them with all of their questions and an occasional problem or two. dSLRs may not be the same experience or quality, but they are DARNED good and at your budget you're probably better off.
![contax 645 digital back phase one contax 645 digital back phase one](https://www.japancamerahunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/DSC04819.jpg)
Nearly everyone on this forum agrees that the look and quality of medium format is well worth the money and slower workflow when shooting things conducive to medium format (e.g. Or as Carsten suggests a low-to-mid tier dSLR. Depending on your shooting style (mainly how many frames and whether you NEED instant feedback or would just like instant feedback) and proximity to a lab film may be a viable option. I would stay away from medium format digital until you can budget at least twice that. Once you see the quality (not just resolution) of the images and the tactile shooting experience you'll desperately want other lenses, filters and other accessories. However, the deals don't even come close to €3000, and as Carsten points out the digital back, body, and 80mm are just the beginning of Dante's inferno. I actually think he should list that 50% higher, but I don't know the local market conditions there or the condition of the back (I assume it has no warranty remaining).Ī P21+ Refurbished back with 1-year international warranty and brand new accessories has a list price of $8,990.Ī P20 non-plus Refurbished back with 1-year international warranty and brand new accessories has a list price of $5,990.Īs you can see there are some great deals for these backs with factory re-certification and a warranty and dealer support (very important, especially since you're new to medium format digital).