Paul, I basically agree. Just, this reminds me one more time the perpetual question: What was first, the hen or the egg?
Are digital mf high prices high because there is only a small market for it? - Or the small market exists because of the high prices?
I'm sure manufacturers have more knowledge about this than the common photographer, but just imagine the possibility that they may be wrong in their estimates. It has puzzled me for years, why if there are thousands of complete V systems just waiting for the right digital back at the right price, it didn't happen. It was the natural continuation of the trend.
We used to talk about how great it was we had these systems with interchangeable backs. It was a nirvana dream. Film and digital with your very same tried and true camera. Suddenly, the dream started vanishing. Digital backs started showing up at unbelievable prices while dslr's started coming with lower and lower prices with every generation and proving that film was on the verge of being history. Dslr's did it, not digital medium format. These days film is almost history and we still have that perfectly working mf gear still waiting for the right digital back for the right price.
I see in other forums there are people these days speculating about the disappearance of medium format gear. Truth is, dslr's are coming to a golden age. They will never match mf quality but in the meantime the younger part of humanity will be perfectly satisfied with what is achievable by dslr's. They don't know better.
We are printing bigger than ever because the simplicity of formidable inkjet printers. But this could change any minute. People are running out of space to hang big pictures. There is so much information now, that nobody has time to contemplate a fine art print. Enviromentalists demand less printing and more electronic.
Very tough times to all mf manufacturers. No ned to say it again, it's their call. It's up to MF manufacturers to come up with sensitive prices before no one needs the superior quality medium format yields.
Eduardo
A few thoughts:
First, the answer is: the egg came first. Genetics led to the answer. The evolutionary line of birds that led to Chickens culminated in an egg that had a Chicken embryo ... genetic material does not change during the life of an animal.
While there are many V cameras out in the world, the ratio of expense has flip-flopped ... where the major expense once was the gear and the least expense was the media ... it is now the opposite. People that can afford a V system can't necessarily afford a digital back ... any digital back.
Probably the most important aspect of MF digital are the applications. By far, the commercial world is the target audience. We have to remember that these companies are global in scope, and every professional photographer in the world is their target. So, as long as MF digital does provide superior quality it will sell. However, those sales won't necessarily be to those who want it just because they have a MF camera.
Contrary to what you say Eduardo, the makers of MFD backs are doing just fine. Both Hasselblad and Phase One are having excellent years according to my sources.
The gap between the best 35mm DSLRs has been significantly widened ... and 35mm DSLRs cameras have demonstrated the limits of how many pixels can be crammed into a small space ... an issue not facing the MF makers just yet.
But, there is a limit to how much the market will invest in bigger and bigger sensors. If the sky was the limit, we'd have a 56X56 sensor already ... but there is a limit. Consider that the recently announced, true 645 sized 60.5 meg sensor, Phase One P65+ will be over $40,000. does show what that limit may be. This back will be for the few ... and the many will be able to get last year's technology for a fraction of that price (like a P45 for $16,500.)
So, the intelligent path for MF lovers is to take hand-me-downs ... a 22, 31, or 39 meg back for their V camera will probably never be surpassed in Image Quality by any 35mm DSLR ... and if the technology changes for DSLRs, it will change for MFD also ... and a few years afterward will be availble used at a more reasonable price.
So far, no one can afford to lay an egg, or they risk going out business at mach speed ... witness Contax and the N Digital. And Mamiya would be in serious difficulty after trying to provide a reasonably priced digital back for MF lovers ... and may be saved only by the recent association with Phase One.
The single smartest thing Hasselblad did was to merge with Imacon ... that move saved the day.
