Medium format quality for about $5,000?

<p>Edward, you sure talk a lot of talk and that likely resonates with those on forums who are far more into gear than photography...but you have yet to post a single image that would make me want to use digital anything over film anything.<br>

Sorry, but if you are going to wow us with tech, you have to wow us with great photographs. Otherwise it is more of what there is already way too much of on the internet about photography and gear.<br>

Oh, I ordered the new Zeiss Milvus 50mm F2 Makro Planar today, strictly for food and lifestyle ad shoots, ought to be a nice one.</p>

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<p>Sorry, but if you are going to wow us with tech, you have to wow us with great photographs.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Daniel,<br /> This is a technical thread, and I'm using photos to illustrate the points I'm making. For that matter, most of the threads on Photo.net regard "How do I do this or that?", not "How do I get my work into the National Gallery?"</p>

<p>Certainly the crowd shot at Millennium park is nothing in terms of content, but anyone who has shot into the sun under similar circumstances can recognize the technical demands it places on a camera to capture details in highlights and shadow. The A7 just makes it look easy. This shot was taken 30 years ago using Kodachrome in a Leica. Again, it's nothing special as a photo, but the lighting and subject are similar. I include it lest we forget how wonderful film was.<br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18125863-lg.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></p>

<p>Please let us know how you like the Milvus Macro lens. An example or two would be nice. I"m sure you do great work, technically and otherwise.</p>

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<p>Sorry, but if you are going to wow us with tech, you have to wow us with great photographs.<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I disagree. Let's say Edward is a rubbish photographer (sorry, Edward!). But imagine a really good photographer using the advice that Edward gave (or at least using the advice to inform a choice). Now, that's the point of Edward's posts.<br>

</p>

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<p>Otherwise it is more of what there is already way too much of on the internet about photography and gear.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

Maybe you're right, but... that's kind of why PN exists.</p>

<p>There's a joke in music. If you get hopelessly lost, ask the conductor "Can we tune?". If you get into the weeds in a technical discussion on Photo.net, it's "If you know so much, let's see your great photographs."</p>

<p>I'm a technical person by education and interest. I'm good at it, and it comes easy for me. Problems come up in my work and I solve them without getting pinched and worried. I thought in retirement I'd have more time to take pictures, but it hasn't worked out that way. I spend hours recording and editing music and video, and occasionally a time relaxing in the park with a camera. For years now, I carry a camera every time I go out. Once Nikon or Hasselblad, now its a Sony A7 kit (A7ii, A7rii and a bunch of lenses). The small size and exceptional quality makes it fun again, and a lot easier on my back. I still keep a tripod handy, but frankly I don't need one with the IBIS equipped Sonys. I haven't needed a flash, either. I shoot a lot during recording sessions, where the silent electronic shutter of the A7Rii is a perfect fit. These photos end up in brochures, posters and the internet. It's not Life Magazine or National Geographic, but it works for my clients.</p>

Tech is great, but we are 6 pages in and Andrew has probably purchased his camera and is out in Borneo keeping his

lens from fogging up while chasing Clouded Leopards.

 

At this point, there is not much more to be done than technical grandstanding. So the only way to keep this interesting is

to put it in a far more creative context.

<p>Thank you, Daniel. Please tell us how your last few posts have contributed to this thread. Oh, wait! You ordered a Milvus lens. Did you learn about it here?</p>

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<p>in Borneo keeping his lens from fogging up while chasing Clouded Leopards.</p>

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<p>Lucky him, if true.</p>

I learned about Milvus lenses in late September when a fellow pro who is a Zeiss ambassador had a couple of them with

him on a shoot.

<p>Daniel...no camera yet!! And I wish I was in Borneo. I am very much appreciating and watching this thread however. </p>

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<p>Milvus lenses in late September</p>

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<p>Nice, but they're very heavy. I wish I could find an excuse to get a 50 Makro-Planar myself. That and the 100mm Makro are the ones I like.</p>