Medium Format Camera question

[goatboy]

Has anyone out there researched the relative merits of Medium Format Cameras?

 

I'm curious about the weight to quality comparison, specifically, of the Mamiya 645's versus series 7 cameras . . . though any general impressions or input is welcome as well.

 

Application would be for backcountry alpine photograpy, with intent to publish.

 

Thanks!

[foraker]

I agonized about this when I was still shooting 35mm and was contemplating the move to a larger format (before the digital evolution took hold). Even now, I think you will end up paying a premium for using MF gear and a significant weight penalty. I'm not sure if publishers expect digital these days (likely I would imagine) so there would be the additional costs of having them scanned (probably drum scanned = spendy). You might consider spending you money on one of the high end digital SLR's instead, which rival the 645 format for quality. If you are just talking magazine reproductions, I don't think there's any reason for having more resolution than that. With a high end digital, you could still make good sized blow-ups for prints to sell. Art Wolfe uses digital Canons so you might go look at some of his color prints and ask yourself if the print quality is what *you* (not he or his customers) are looking for. Personally, I shoot 4x5 and have a lightweight non-folding camera. But, I have only like 4 lenses and whereas in 35mm I used to have 8 (and they are more expensive ... but less expensive than MF lenses). Anyway, just my thoughts. YMMV. Lots of things to think about, I know. Good luck. If you don't know about them, here are some good sites:

 

www.luminous-landscape.com (used to be analog, but now heavily digital)

www.apug.org (all film based photography forum)

www.largeformatphotography.info (4x5 and up)

[foraker]

PS...if you are thinking of selling stock photos, consider that the market is pretty flooded with people wanting to do the same thing and the prices stock photos from some sites are commanding are ridiculously cheap. Just be forewarned before you shell out a small fortune.