at Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I recently received a customer loyalty certificate from Mamiyawhich offered a Mamiya 645 Pro TL, plain prism finder, back, and powerwinder for $1399.00. I currently use two Mamiya 645e's with greatsuccess but always wanted the Pro TL model. I am not a pro but highly active amature. Given todays digital technology, upcoming technology, film costs, digital workflow, etc what do you think you would do? I currently shoot Nikon f100's and Mamiya 645e with lotsof lens investments for both. My only digital is a P+S for ebay.Just looking for input of any kind regarding this offer and what others think. Basically, get a better model 645 body (and sell a 645e) or keep what I have until I decide to get into digital? Even though most most say the 645e is cheap, cant change backs,etc it does what is needs to do (a light tight box to hold film) and does deliver the goods very nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 get the new camera if it can be used with a digital back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Thats part of my hesitation. MF digital backs are out of my reach. The MF film workflow is slow and a pain (but worth it). In my opinion, Nikon doesnt impress me right now with its digital line up. I know others that feel the same and many, many others that would argue with me. Its a hard one to call. I guess I need a little handholding in order to decide my photographic future (media wise that is, there will always be a photographic future). Just wondering how many were still going to pursue midrange MF film hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcbride Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 August: I can understand that this could be a tough choice for you. If you should decide against using the customer loyalty certificate, please feel free to send it to me. I would love to use it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thom_english Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I also got that offer from them for being a 645E owner. If you are thinking about a Pro TL model, that is a heck of a deal, since the body alone goes for $1600 at B+H. The downside(beside spending over a grand) is that the package comes with the non-metered prism. Another question to ask is how much camera do you need? I am a rocks and trees kind of guy. The E is all I need. I like manual focus, plus it has dof preview, mlu, diopter-all the things I want in a camera. So, I said why spend the money. Plus if I really wanted a Pro, KEH has alot of them. I was really more tempted by last falls loyalty offer of a 120 macro for $800. And if they offered me a Toyo AII field camera for $999 that would get me to spend too. You have a good setup. Unless you need a better flash setup, do you really need the Pro TL? If you really want a good digital save for a Fuji S3 when it comes out and just use your Nikon lenses. Good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Will $1400 (or a little more) buy you a mf /35mm scanner? Essentially, I think a digital solution is the best bet. As you noted digital backs are quite expensive for MF, so the scanner route works, or even a D100 body which is not much more then the TL body. You could also wait for the soon to be delivered D70 for less money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at Posted February 3, 2004 Author Share Posted February 3, 2004 Thanks for all of your input. Its quite alot of ground to coverin a short time. I think I will hold on to my 645e. It does thejob quite well, actually it does the job great. My money would be better saved for future digital needs. Too many technology changesright now and IMO the dust hasnt even begun to settle. Maybe a MF scanner might be the best route to get into digital and stillkeep my current MF hardware. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fwstutterheim Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 August,<br><br> Personally I doubt there is much future in MF digital backs. Kodak has pulled out already. High performance smaller sensors are leading the market. I think you made the right decision. <br><br> Ferdi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Wasn't the deal with Kodak the fact that they weren't going to make the backs but still were making the sensors, which apparently the competitive manufactuers were using. I would suspect it came down to a non-compete thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Hi, Regarding the question of digital backs, are there any MF shooter needing a digital back? That don't want to buy a whole new setup and lenses? That love their equipment? Yes Yes and Yes So someone will provide. Whether there is a Kodak, Sony, Fuji or whatever chip inside. Save your money, the best is yet to come!! Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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