Early Alert: New CFV-II

[fotografz]

No, not the 22 meg. or 48X48 sensor we all had hoped for. But an improved version of the current 16 meg square sensor CFV.

Larger, better LCD and a new, low reflection AA filter (same type as now used in the H3D-II I presume.) Perhaps more, but that's all I know of right now.

 

[polypal]

Thanks Marc.
With this improved version to be released soon it will be safe to say no
larger sensor or larger Mp CFV will be available.

It would be nice to know if current CFV backs can be upgraded.

Paul

 

[fotografz]

Thanks Marc.
With this improved version to be released soon it will be safe to say no
larger sensor or larger Mp CFV will be available.

It would be nice to know if current CFV backs can be upgraded.

Paul

I doubt it would be worth it Paul. Maybe getting the the new IR filter installed, but the slightly larger LCD probably can't be retrofitted.

I sold my previous CFV in December, and since then thought it to be a serious error on my part because it left my focal plane shutter 203FE without a mobile digital option ... except for a very expensive and not so pretty Sinar eMotion back.

I agree, I now seriously doubt there will be a sensor upgrade to a 22 meg. 645 size. If (big IF) there is a next step in the CFV evolution, it'll be when someone comes out with a 48X48 sensor.

BTW, where is everyone? This forum seems dead.

 

[simonpg]

Marc,
the comment about the possibility of upgrading an existing CFV back makes me ask: have you taken up Leica's M8 upgrades?

The CEO interview I read shows a commitment to the upgrade path - thank God, because disposing of M8 cameras to get the latest features like Japanese digi-cams have one do, would be a nasty hit on the wallet!!

 

[keith_laban]

New CFV11, disappointing, but at least we know where we stand.

The severe slow down here seemed to coincide with the switch to the new software.

 

[polypal]

Hi Marc,

The forum is not dead yet but sorely misses a few regular participants like Marc, Austin Franklin, Colin.
I am sure I forgot to mention a few others for which I apologise.

It is absolutely true the original forum set up was unsuitable for the recent software change.
Many readers and posters lost contact. It took a while to sought things out.
With the current structure I hope this problem is solved.
I had suggested two additional subs : Scanners + all matters digital and a sub Off Topic.
There are two good reasons for subs: easier to post, unless you go for the one heap way, and easier to find again.
Just scrolling a section may give readers answers on questions that were answered before.
Ask the same question again is no problem. This community is always prepared to help.

Your comments and motivated advice are most welcome.
Please visit the forum more frequently, your contributions are highly valued.
BTW we also like to keep the fun part in good shape.
Informative and fun to read that is our goal.

Paul

 

[fotografz]

Maybe a part of it is "out of sight, out of mind."

I don't seem to get e-mail alerts to new postings, and haven't the time or will to figure out how to reinstate that feature.

The most active and vibrantly alive forum I now participate in is the GetDPI one started by two internet friends that do group work shops in places like national parks and San Juan ... but their MF forum has just expolded with activity ... partially fueled by manufacturers reps from all the back makers. Their format is very similar to this new one here.

RE CFV:

Simon, no I will not take advantage of the LCD upgrade for the M8 ... it's priced for the indolent rich ... of which I am neither : -) I placed a "crystal clear" cover on both my M8 LCDs which costs $10. I will send my M8s to Leica service only if they completely stop working ... my last round of adjustments took almost 5 months.

The LCD on the new CFV is probably the same one used on the latest version of the CF backs. Not as large as the H3D-II ... but slightly larger, with more resolution than the current one. I think it only went from 2.2" to 2.5". I'll report as soon as I find out for sure.

The new filter is suppose to dampen internal reflections better than the previous one. I know the filter in the H3D-II is better than the one in my previous H3D.

If I had an existing CFV, I wouldn't bother upgrading. But since I sold mine, I may consider the new one.

My hang-up is continuing to seek a digital solution for the 203FE which I cling to with a death grip. I just completed my FE lens collection with the addition of a mint 350/4FE. I've not shot any film with it yet, but bolted the 350 onto my Leica DMR and Canon 1DsMKIII via adapters and took some test shots ... like these done to demonstrate use of CF lenses on a H3D-II ... just a little "Camera Porn" for us Hassey lovers

 

[Pete_G]

Typical, as soon as I buy a CFV a new one comes out. I only hope that both backs will be firmware compatible and that the CFV I will not be considered obsolete. I love this back and don't really need the LCD upgrade although the current OLED is pretty awful.

pete

 

[wbulte]

Hm, that new LCD might simply be triggered by the manufacturer of the old LCD ending its production

Unfortunately it appears the HB is not really interested in the money of the non-H owners when it comes to digital backs. Stupid if you ask me, why not take their money? But it might be too late already.

Waiting for non-H owners to fork out a king's ransom for a complete new system could take a *long* time. Poulson will at some day wake up to discover his customer base has forked half of that money for a Canon or Nikon FF camera. And they lived happily ever after, with their "good-enough" new DSLRs.

But then again, who cares, CEO's hardly ever have to apply at the local homeless shelter after they ran their businesses into the ground..

 

[wbulte]

I don't seem to get e-mail alerts to new postings, and haven't the time or will to figure out how to reinstate that feature.

Unfortunately this forum software does not seem to have the email alert functionality. And yes, I fully agree with you, that .

Wilko

 

[fotografz]

Typical, as soon as I buy a CFV a new one comes out. I only hope that both backs will be firmware compatible and that the CFV I will not be considered obsolete. I love this back and don't really need the LCD upgrade although the current OLED is pretty awful.

pete

Firmware should always be compatible I would think. I know anything relevant to the software upgrades that have been implimented in Flexclor/Phocus for the H digital back firmware has had it's counterpart in the CFV. I seriously doubt the CFV backs are different in any way except the new LCD and filter.

This is still a pretty advanced back, what with offering firewire 800 and Live View. Heck, Sinar backs are still FW 400 and Live View was only recently added to the mobile backs (for more money.)

 

[blowupster]

A new digital back for V Blad ! Great !

But with the same 16mpix sensor that was fittet about 10 years ago in Kodak 645 ?
Huh !

Where come this news from, in fact ?

Is it true ?
Perhaps they succed to make a 16 Mpix for less money.

Will see.

Bigger screen is better but perhaps not so important.
Battery included is more important to use the 500 elx.

 

[fotografz]

Hm, that new LCD might simply be triggered by the manufacturer of the old LCD ending its production

Unfortunately it appears the HB is not really interested in the money of the non-H owners when it comes to digital backs. Stupid if you ask me, why not take their money? But it might be too late already.

Waiting for non-H owners to fork out a king's ransom for a complete new system could take a *long* time. Poulson will at some day wake up to discover his customer base has forked half of that money for a Canon or Nikon FF camera. And they lived happily ever after, with their "good-enough" new DSLRs.

But then again, who cares, CEO's hardly ever have to apply at the local homeless shelter after they ran their businesses into the ground..

I read somewhere that the demand for the smaller LCDs has dropped so much that it's cost prohibitive to make them in small quantities. I do know the CF backs also now have this slightly larger, improved LCD.

I think we did not see a 22 meg 645 sized sensor CFV because all 22 meg Hasselblad backs will soon go the way of the Dodo. Bet Hasselbald will discontinue them the not to distant future.
The battlefield for survival is at the high-end, not slugging it out with Mamiya ZDs and the like.

Anyone that thinks a DSLR can stand toe-to-toe with any of these modern Medium Format backs ... deserves a DSLR. Heck, if one does the job for them, why buy a MFD system anyway?

I'm sure Mr. Hasselblad would gladly take your cash for a CF digital back ... which interchangably fits all these legacy H and V cameras with the proper iAdapter ( as well as most anything else out there.)

 

[fotografz]

A new digital back for V Blad ! Great !

But with the same 16mpix sensor that was fittet about 10 years ago in Kodak 645 ?
Huh !

Where come this news from, in fact ?

Is it true ?
Perhaps they succed to make a 16 Mpix for less money.

Will see.

Bigger screen is better but perhaps not so important.
Battery included is more important to use the 500 elx.

The news isn't public yet, but all the dealers have been informed.

Same price. Which in the US is a good thing since the dollar exchange is driving up prices on all imported items ... even Canon just increased prices.

How do you know it's the same sensor? It most certainly isn't the same when it comes to performance: ... the Kodak back (which I owned) was 12 bit not 16 bit like the CFV. The Kodak back ceased production, and never continued upgrades via firmware and software improvements like the CFV has. The ISO 400 performance of the Kodak was close to unusable, where that of the CFV is pretty darned good when processed in Flexcolor ... and is supposed to increase to ISO 800 when Phocus comes out of public Beta next month (TBD.)

 

[keith_laban]

Marc said "same price".

Here in the UK the price of a CFV has rocketed. A few weeks ago the CFV on Robert White was around £4750 +VAT, today it is £6650 +VAT!

 

[polypal]

Here in the UK the price of a CFV has rocketed. A few weeks ago the CFV on Robert White was around £4750 +VAT, today it is £6650 +VAT!

Part of that price increase can be explained by the the 20% drop of the English Pound.
That leaves the question why prices in the US were not increased.
A weekend spent in New York with a low cost air carrier is all it takes to buy a CFV back at low USD exchange rate.

 

[Pete_G]

Marc said "same price".

Here in the UK the price of a CFV has rocketed. A few weeks ago the CFV on Robert White was around £4750 +VAT, today it is £6650 +VAT!

Keith,

It's not GBP 6650 at Robert White, it's GBP 5250 + VAT. Still a big increase though and obviously due to the sterling/euro situation. I recently got a CFV from Calumet London, cheaper the Robert White's old price, for GBP 4,680 + VAT, funny thing is Calumet are now more expensive than White, so it pays to shop around.

 

[keith_laban]

Thanks Pete, I confused the CFV and CWD prices, thought it seemed a little excessive!

 

[bladdered]

A weekend spent in New York with a low cost air carrier is al it takes to buy a CFV back at low USD exchange rate.

...... or Detroit, in my case. Ha.

I confirm, from the UK, it's a long round trip in a weekend.

 

[polypal]

Good thinking, Bladdered!