Hi G-Nie,

Lets say if I were to invest in a digital back, would I get sharper results from a 4x5 camera or from a Hassleblad 6x6 assuming the lenses for both were the sharpest ones available in the market. Do you see a difference when photographing people with either DSLR, Hassie, or a 4x5? Do they get intimidated the bigger it gets? Do you work slower when you are using a 4x5? What are the differences in terms of color, shadows and highlights? Are they all the same? Assuming all shots were done in iso 100. Same exposure for all.

Thanks in advance:)

I use both 4x5 and hassy depending on the project given. I seldom use dslr for maybe i got used to using the big formats. Shooting talents and moving subjects i use Hassy or the dslr while the 4x5 with food, products and seldom architectural. I don't shoot slower when using the 4x5 is just that you have to get used to it to be second nature to you. All cameras has its own differences i am just so lucky working in Adphoto that all toys are available. You just have to consider that the size of the CCD is a big factor.

ms g-nie.. when you shoot with your phase one.. do you shoot tethered to the computer with an assistant manning the computer?

i shoot tethered with phaseone. my assistant knows hows to use the software too but does'nt mean he needs to be there always. When i'm shooting most of the time the art director is the one next to the computer to check on the image.

I use both 4x5 and hassy depending on the project given. I seldom use dslr for maybe i got used to using the big formats. Shooting talents and moving subjects i use Hassy or the dslr while the 4x5 with food, products and seldom architectural. I don't shoot slower when using the 4x5 is just that you have to get used to it to be second nature to you. All cameras has its own differences i am just so lucky working in Adphoto that all toys are available. You just have to consider that the size of the CCD is a big factor.

What other reasons do you have for using LF for food and product photography? Where are these images used, i.e. brochures, billboards, on-store displays, etc.? What particular aspects of the LF do you find significantly superior to the DSLR wrt to the photography you mentioned? Would like to know your insights/experience. :)

With Phase One digital back it gives me incredible amazing amount of detail.
Knowing some art directors would still crop the image given for their horizontal - vertical layouts and other requirements at least it gives me peace of mind / worry free in giving my images. I just explain it to them not to crop too much.
The software that goes with it which is captureone gives me a powerful workflow
and it's user friendly.
Using dslr i also use captureone software to develop my files too.

Hi G-Nie, it was nice meeting you and Ben in the Phase one function the other day. After the introduction on the Phase One system, Now I understand why Medium format will never die!! as a matter of fact, I am convinced that photographers will slowly but surely go back to shooting MF. When quality, detail and sharpness is of utmost importance, nothing beats a MF, LF. No sense in arguing there.

by experience, i agree with using MF/LF especially for large murals like 1meter by 1meter and above, 5mp to 8mp dslrs would present a lot of quality problems even with photoshop..but with the cost we can just dream on..

If I had some dough, I would wait for Canon's rumored 22MP DSLR. With this hi-res dslr you just invest in 3 Canon MF Perspective-control (but limited movements) lenses: wide, normal, and short telephoto. Now you will have the benefits of portability & conveniences of the DSLR with some of the versatility of LF.

I sometimes use the same setup mentioned-above for studio work...only with the Canon MarkII 1Ds and it's good enough for billboards. More pixels are great and convenient, especially when I do tight croppings (for enlargements!) but it's just not everything. I've done 4 story banners done with 6MP and no one complained. An experienced pre-press graphic artist helps a lot too.

Just my two-cents.