Phase One announces 39-megapixel back.

[andrewr]

Geez! I thought the 22-megapixel P25 was pretty amazing and now Phase One has announced the 39-megapixel P45! (http://www.phaseone.com/Content/p1digitalbacks/Hotnews/Ultimate%20range.aspx) I can't imagine the price, but what surprises me, however, is the fact that they haven't really increased the size of the sensor. The P25 is 48.9mm x 36.7mm and the P45 is 49.1 x 36.8. So even on a 645 (actually frame size 56mm x 42mm) there is still a magnification factor, albeit a small one.

The P25 already exceeds the quality of medium-format, so who is the P45 aimed at, large format shooters? I guess it's might be okay for table-top work with long lenses, but I think it's of little use on a view carmera with wide-angle lenses unless you use a stitching back. I'm shooting a lot of interiors and architecture now and I know there are many shooters begging for a digital view camera solution that will work with wide-angle lenses focused at infinity.

I guess there's no real question here, just a bit of a rant. http://www.canphoto.net/iB312_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif But please feel free to add your opinions or comments about the state of digital photography.

Cheers,

Andrew

[seventhframe]

That 39 MP back will soon be archived too...and the later models will be obsolete as well my friend.

I stick to film personally. I use the Canon 1V and my dads 1970's Pentax and both work great for me! http://www.canphoto.net/iB312_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Drop a roll and shoot. Medium format or 35mm.
Less hassle, no need to upgrade every 4 months to a "better" version.

[Alastair]

Well, I have a 16 megapixel back for my Hasselblad, I miss film terribly, but I'll never go back. *Can't. *Art directors are too in love with it. *But digital is beginning to grow on me. *I'm getting to the point that I am pretty happy with what comes off the back...
However, with a 39MP file, I can't imagine the post-production issues. *Right now each and every file that comes off my back is archived as a DNG at about 25 MB. *I've shot 5400 frames so far, since February. *That's 135,000 MB, and that's only in the last 6 months. *Let alone all the final files at 50+ MB each. *Oh, and, of course, everything has to be backed up in two different places, plus my working files. *I can't imagine getting a reasonable workflow out of at 39MP back. *The files are what, 125MB each or something crazy. *Even with 2.5 Gigs of RAM, my computer would chug something awful with that. *Can't do it, not until I can either curb how much I shoot, or charge a whole lot *more for capture and post-production.

I was chatting with one of the guys I know in production at one of the agencies in town, and he was saying they can do pretty much everything they need from a 22 MP back. *From big posters to bus shelters to billboards, it's all there. *Not quite sure what another 17 Megapixels will do, except make the files bigger.

It'll be interesting to watch. *Anyone have a 22MP back they want to sell cheap if they're upgrading to the new 39MP?

And I've been reading all kinds of things about people who shoot Large-format and how they hate digital. *Can't get wide enough, get fringing, get colour shifts, get artifacts, etc, etc. *I mean, the 22MP backs could out-resolve most good lenses, the 39MP back will make any flaw in the glass stand out, plain as day. *And then to put a swing or a tilt in? *Trouble.

Might have to shoot some tri-x on my trip next month. *Get back to my roots...

-Alastair.

[seventhframe]

Quote[/b] (Alastair @ July 22 2005,18:49)]Might have to shoot some tri-x on my trip next month. Get back to my roots...

-Alastair.
I'll drink to that my friend.

I don't want or need digital...I keep things simple, produce art, customers are happy, that's all that matters to me.
I can't afford to udpate my software every so often, it became and epidemic and I try to avoid it like one....Digital photography I mean.
A Canon Digital Rebel or any other Nikon or what not camera has become more like a fashion accessory than anything. People wear them around their necks to show off.
Any joe shmoe that has a 6MP camera is king pro photographer these days.
Give them a 35mm roll they will probably duck tape it to the back of the camera and wonder why they can't view the images.

Shame.

[seventhframe]

wrong module

[silverwindstudio]

Quote[/b] (seventhframe @ July 24 2005,14:22)]Quote[/b] (Alastair @ July 22 2005,18:49)]Might have to shoot some tri-x on my trip next month. Get back to my roots...

-Alastair.
I'll drink to that my friend.

A Canon Digital Rebel or any other Nikon or what not camera has become more like a fashion accessory than anything. People wear them around their necks to show off.
Any joe shmoe that has a 6MP camera is king pro photographer these days.
Give them a 35mm roll they will probably duck tape it to the back of the camera and wonder why they can't view the images.

Shame.
Ah Tri-x, and the smell of d-76 and hypo,
Almost wish I had not sold off my darkroom stuff. http://www.canphoto.net/iB312_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif.

To true everyone with a digital slr thinks they are a pro these days.
Though canon has upped the anty to 12.8mp with the new fullframe prosumer 5d http://www.canphoto.net/iB312_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

What really nailed me was a visit to Henrys discount dump on Queen street. They had a counter full of various MF cameras complete with finders, backs and a lens most going for under 800$
http://www.canphoto.net/iB312_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif Arguh. When I think what I paid for that stuff way back when it was fashionable http://www.canphoto.net/iB312_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif