Cameras: Coming Full Circle

[Michael Erlewine]

Additionally I hear the X1D features an electronic shutter, the GFX features a focal plane shutter, so: Where is the trouble?

I don't hear that the X1D has an electronic shutter. Can you show me a link to that claim please?

B&H states "the X1D embraces the Hasselblad Central Lens Shutter, enabling shutter speeds as long as 60 minutes or as short as 1/2000 second, with flash sync possible at every speed."

[Les Olson]

I need to be doing something "larger" NOW, not sometime down the road.

If you need a larger sensor with more and/or bigger photosites "NOW" why not a Mamiya-Leaf (or Phase One XF)?  You could have a much larger sensor than the X1D (0.67 crop factor - much bigger than the difference between the X1D and the D810), and more pixels, and the likelihood of yet bigger sensors with yet more pixels in the future, which the X mount will struggle to accommodate.  And you get proven design from a company with a strong track record, unlike "Hasselblad".

[Michael Erlewine]

If you need a larger sensor with more and/or bigger photosites "NOW" why not a Mamiya-Leaf (or Phase One XF)?  You could have a much larger sensor than the X1D (0.67 crop factor - much bigger than the difference between the X1D and the D810), and more pixels, and the likelihood of yet bigger sensors with yet more pixels in the future, which the X mount will struggle to accommodate.  And you get proven design from a company with a strong track record, unlike "Hasselblad".

What equipment would be needed to accomplish this and at what general price?

I had a Mamiya RZ67 with 33m Mpx digital back and it was not interesting at all.
 

[Les Olson]

You have your large format lenses in Copal 0?

So you have a shutter.

Additionally I hear the X1D features an electronic shutter, the GFX features a focal plane shutter, so: Where is the trouble?

A firmware upgrade to give the X1D an electronic shutter has been talked about, but at the end of June it was "yet to be confirmed" (according to Ming Thein, who is paid by Hasselblad) that it will ever be offered. 

[Michael Erlewine]

A firmware upgrade to give the X1D an electronic shutter has been talked about, but at the end of June it was "yet to be confirmed" (according to Ming Thein, who is paid by Hasselblad) that it will ever be offered.

That has been pretty-much no longer claimed by now. They are not going to offer that is what I hear. The X1D is what it is, IMO, a system that either will be enough or not. As mentioned, I plan to try it out as a stopgap measure, if nothing else, on the road to Nikon actually providing me with a successor to the D810 with a larger sensor. I also need something that I can travel with that is relatively small and succinct.

[Mike G]

Michael, why not have a look at the Fuji GFX, which may meet your requirements!

[Frank Fremerey]

That has been pretty-much no longer claimed by now. They are not going to offer that is what I hear. The X1D is what it is, IMO, a system that either will be enough or not. As mentioned, I plan to try it out as a stopgap measure, if nothing else, on the road to Nikon actually providing me with a successor to the D810 with a larger sensor. I also need something that I can travel with that is relatively small and succinct.

The Fuji GFX seems to have the same Sensor as the X1D and it has a shutter.

The bigger and more expensive sensors are here: https://www.phaseone.com and here http://www.mamiyaleaf.com

But we speak real money here like 30k to 40k Euros.

[Michael Erlewine]

The Fuji GFX has to be checked out, tested, deployed, etc. Ming Thein has already done this with the X1D and given it his approval, which is good enough for me. I don't want to spend $30,000 or so dollars, etc.

The GFX, with the proper adapter, may be a ticket too. My guess is that more are coming, including, someday, Nikon.

[Tristin]

Have you genuiney considered setting technicality aside for a bit and letting your creativity breath?  Sounds like it would be a pleasant change for you.

[Michael Erlewine]

Have you genuiney considered setting technicality aside for a bit and letting your creativity breath?  Sounds like it would be a pleasant change for you.

well... yeah. That is exactly what I am doing by getting the X1D, using a closed system to concentrate on a new kind of photography for me, not close-up.

[Frank Fremerey]

Looking forward to your X1D captures!

I never liked Hasselblad, but even in Film days was drawn very much to the Fuji GF series. A digital GF for me is mouth watering.

Nikon has no history in medium format. Fuji was always a good name & I loved the ergonimics of the GF-Sreries.

I will wait until the camera was tested by reliable people, then decide.

[Michael Erlewine]

Looking forward to your X1D captures!

I never liked Hasselblad, but even in Film days was drawn very much to the Fuji GF series. A digital GF for me is mouth watering.

Nikon has no history in medium format. Fuji was always a good name & I loved the ergonimics of the GF-Sreries.

I will wait until the camera was tested by reliable people, then decide.

Me too. When the Fufi camera is tested and there is a good adapter for F-Mount and all other things, then I might go for the Fuji. Meanwhile, I can move forward with what I am having fun with... whenever the X1D is delivered.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Nikon has made medium and large format lenses in the past, the latter fairly recently.

However in today's business atmosphere it may be difficult to start a project which takes a long while to develop, and if successful, can be expected to result in one camera sold per day on average. It is possible for companies which do not have successful mass market product lines but Nikon isn't one of those.

[Michael Erlewine]

Nikon has made medium and large format lenses in the past, the latter fairly recently.

However in today's business atmosphere it may be difficult to start a project which takes a long while to develop, and if successful, can be expected to result in one camera sold per day on average. It is possible for companies which do not have successful mass market product lines but Nikon isn't one of those.

Looking for a successor to the D810, with 64 ISO and at least 50 Mpx sensor. They are late on my schedule.

[Frank Fremerey]

Nikon has made very nice large format lenses and I own and love one of these, Michael has it too. A friend on mine shoots BW landscapes on 8"x10" with a 600mm LF-Nikkor.

They did not make cameras though and all their efforts produced nothing but losses for the company and was thus given up.

I believe easily in a Nikon Rangefinder full format S-type system for the 100th anniversary and for collectors, which are an interesting part of the market, but not a medium or large formast endavour.

PS: Tagebau Linden 2004. Technikardan by Linhof, 600mm LF by Nikon, Harald Finster by Frank Fremerey taken with a Minolta Dimage7