Early Alert: New CFV-II

[fotografz]

Fantastic, Marc!!!!

Jurgen, I bet the German dealer make no mention of it because they have V1 stock still to move!!

Marc, now with the various Hasselblad systems you use, why did you do the product job with the CFV-II? Of course the image quality is brilliant, but it would be interesting to know about your choice.

Since say a 40mm lens has a relatively very close focus distance and the cropped frame gives a much narrower angle-of-view, does this make the CFV-II kit an even better choice for such product shots?

PS - looks like that red thing has been on Viagra!!

It depends on final useage Simon. If the images are not intended for display sized prints like 6 feet wide, then the CFV is more than enough. Some folks think a camera like a Canon 1DsMKII or MKIII is enough also ... but I disagree. The tonal gradations of the CFV are much better, the images crisper looking and the sense of depth is nicer. The CFV continues to be an excellent upgrade from any DSLR when it comes to Image Quality. It's a serious camera IMO.

 

[bladdered]

Great advert for horny tomatoes Marc.

I do find the CFV a pleasure to shoot with. It feels so spacious with the unused image area around the finder markings. This is so handy when using the Hass 60-120mm zoom lens. When shooting DSLR's, which I do a lot of, the frame is always cramped to maintain image quality, but maybe that's just me.

Here's a recent wedding shot taken with the 203FE/CFV/60-120mm combination.

Regards,

Gary

 

[fotografz]

Great advert for horny tomatoes Marc.

I do find the CFV a pleasure to shoot with. It feels so spacious with the unused image area around the finder markings. This is so handy when using the Hass 60-120mm zoom lens. When shooting DSLR's, which I do a lot of, the frame is always cramped to maintain image quality, but maybe that's just me.

Here's a recent wedding shot taken with the 203FE/CFV/60-120mm combination.

Regards,

Gary

Nice image Gary. Good to see the gear being put to good use. That Kyocera Zoom produces snappy results for sure.

I like being able to see the space around the taking area also. It's like a Leica M where you can see what's going on outside the taking area ... only much bigger : -)

 

[christian_r]

I'm jumping in on this thread. It would be nice to see a photo of the new LCD, it can't be found elsewhere.

The Norwegian dealer is not mentioning the back either.


Anyone wanna flog their old CWD at a nice price ? ;-)

 

[espressogeek]

I would love to see some up close shots in natural light with the the CFV and the 40mm. I am considering this setup but it looks like it might be to large to handle well. I have not seen one in person.

 

[simonpg]

Gary that's a terrific wedding shot and the CFV has once again shown its film-like qualities.

Marc your experience with each of the leading digital sensors (1Ds MkII/III; Leica M8, Hasselblad H series and the CFV I/II) are an excellent guide to how some of us might make the optimal choice when investing in quality digital gear.

I for one feel that the first serious digital purchase will be the CFV I or II - just a matter of time to build the necessary funds!! Every time I see the CFV images (and even just at 72dpi) I feel the CFV achieves what others seem not to - film like natural characteristivs (to my eyes anyway). For me MF/Hasselblad V series digital is more compelling than 35mm digital since 50-60% of all my images are MF.


Of course like you say its all a matter of "hirses for courses".

 

[macmx]

The CFV just produces some fantastic images. Only thing to complain about is the screen (which I gather is now fixed) and the ISO performance (compared to my Canon 1Ds Mk2). But at ISO 50 or 100, the CFV is close to flawless.

 

[bladdered]

Gary that's a terrific wedding shot and the CFV has once again shown its film-like qualities.

Marc your experience with each of the leading digital sensors (1Ds MkII/III; Leica M8, Hasselblad H series and the CFV I/II) are an excellent guide to how some of us might make the optimal choice when investing in quality digital gear.

Of course like you say its all a matter of "hirses for coures".

Thanks Simon. Nice of you to comment.

Marc, perhaps before you respond to Simon's question, you can give good reasons for us/me/anyone NOT to acquire an M8 for weddings !! Please be quick

Only joking Simon. BTW did you mean to write - "Of course like you say its all a matter of "hearses for corpses"

Gary

 

[fotografz]

Thanks Simon. Nice of you to comment.

Marc, perhaps before you respond to Simon's question, you can give good reasons for us/me/anyone NOT to acquire an M8 for weddings !! Please be quick

Only joking Simon. BTW did you mean to write - "Of course like you say its all a matter of "hearses for corpses"

Gary

Okay Gary, just to be quick ... the M8 is too slow for modern weddings.


Longer version:

Of course "to slow" depends on your shooting style.

IMO, super low light candids of moving subjects is the domain of a bullet proof top wedding DSLR ... which for me is now the Nikon D3. This is definitely a "Seize The Moment" camera.

I've used the D3 at weddings enough now that the Canon's are going on the auction block. The 1DMKIII is sold, and the 1DsMKIII goes soon. The 1DsMKIII is a great camera, but as far as IQ it cannot compete with MF Digital ... and for high ISOs cannot compete with the D3 (think usable ISO 10,000 if you expose carefully.)

The Leica M8 is a supplemental available light camera ... which I find I use at weddings less and less.

For weddings it's a D3 and a Hasselblad ... either the CFV or a H3D-II/31. I might take along a M8 on occasion because I have an affection for Rangefinders and a ton of cash wrapped up in lenses. But it's just an indulgence on my part, and not really needed.

The M8 is a easy to pack and carry travel camera IMO. Great IQ, superb optics, all in a small package.

A few recent D3 wedding shots ... the Pizza Window is one I wish I had shot with a Hasselblad ... but you use what you have when the image presents itself : -) ... the B&W was shot at ISO 10,000!

 

[simonpg]

I think Marc's pizza shop shot says everything - very high quality sensor.

It is so useful and valuable to see so many examples of images made with varying gear - this forum is GREAT! Thanks Marc.

ISO 10,000 !!!!!!!!!??????????????

Amazing!!

 

[PointLignePlan]

fotografz, is it possible to post 3 crops (100 iso, 200 iso, 400 iso).
I'd like to buy a CFV-II, but only if the 400 iso is usable!

Thanks
Sébastien

 

[fotografz]

fotografz, is it possible to post 3 crops (100 iso, 200 iso, 400 iso).
I'd like to buy a CFV-II, but only if the 400 iso is usable!

Thanks
Sébastien

Sebastien,

Packing for Holiday, not much time ... just enough for a couple of quick snaps in the yard ...

ISO 50 verses ISO 400 of the same shots. Hard to tell apart. I actually like the 400 better as it has a bit more film quality to it when printed.

I'd say ISO 400 is more than just "usable." In fact I'm hoping ISO 800 is almost as good when it gets implemented in a later version of Phocus.

Marc

 

[polypal]

Thanks Marc,

Wish you a good holiday!

Paul

 

[blowupster]

Thanks a lot for this test.
I'm realy surprised. Allmost no differencies between 50 ans 400 asa.

With my other numerical gear the 640 asa is close to survival mode.

MF with 400 asa usable talk to me loudly.

 

[gumshoecamus]

after a few months of no commercial photography work and being too busy with my other work, I picked up my cfv + hassy swc earlier this week for a paid job and was reminded of why I love this pair so much. it is a sunny afternoon in the uk so went to nearby park and made some images, guessing the focusing distance (the hit-or-miss joy of the swc). as you can see, the cfv delivers beautiful colour and loads of detail in shadows and highlights. my guesses were mostly not as good...

 

[gumshoecamus]

100% crop, prob a bit oversharpened

 

[PointLignePlan]

fotografz, thanks for this pictures, but the light is too beautiful. I prefer a crop 100% of a pictures 400iso in bad conditions, in low light with high contrast and much shadows. Is the 400iso also usable in this condition?

Have a good holiday,
Sébastien

 

[christian_r]

How's the noise levels between cfvI and II?

 

[fotografz]

fotografz, thanks for this pictures, but the light is too beautiful. I prefer a crop 100% of a pictures 400iso in bad conditions, in low light with high contrast and much shadows. Is the 400iso also usable in this condition?

Have a good holiday,
Sébastien

Now this is turning into a bionafied assignment.

My day rate is $2,800. USD plus rental fees.

A money transfer will do fine. 2 working days for delivery.

LOL !

 

[fotografz]

How's the noise levels between cfvI and II?

It's the same sensor.

Any noise improvements coming from firmware/software improvements (and there have been considerable improvements since the launch of the CFV) ... benefits both the the CFV and the CFV-II equally.