P645NII or S3Pro

[plchung]

Not sure if I should post the question here. Pls let me know if this is not the right place to do it.

My question is: I am considering selling my Digital Rebel and replace it with another one. Here I have two choices - for purpose of improving image quality.
- S3Pro - sounds attractive because of the dynamic range; and
- P645NII - because of its larger format.

Appreciate if anyone can give me advices. FYI, most of the time I take family photos, macro, and natural scene. ANd I am very interested in BW photos as well.

Thanks for help.

Best Regards,

Alex

[racingpinarello]

Not sure if I should post the question here. Pls let me know if this is not the right place to do it.

My question is: I am considering selling my Digital Rebel and replace it with another one. Here I have two choices - for purpose of improving image quality.
- S3Pro - sounds attractive because of the dynamic range; and
- P645NII - because of its larger format.


Alex

I really think that the S3 would be the better all around camera. A 6x45 frame is not much bigger than a 35mm negative, and it has a 9x12 ratio, which is not very common. I was constantly having to crop or to add canvas size for a print.

The S3 (not cheap) is really designed for a digital film effect. Fuji approach to digital is very good and the interpolation of the files really do work.

Loren

[another view]

I've been very happy with the S2 but there haven't been any sample images from the S3 yet. Either system would use different lenses and accessories than what you have now - if you have a lot invested with Canon you might want to look at a 20D first.

I'd agree that between the two, an S3 probably would be a better all-around choice. If you have a really good lab and need the extra exposure latitude that you will get with film then it's a good choice (again Fuji claims improvement but we have no proof as of yet, can't believe it would be as huge an improvement as approaching neg film though, but someday...).

[plchung]

thanks another view and Loren for your advices. Yeah, the S3Pro sounds attractive, especially when looking at the sample photos (http://www.finepix.com/lineup/s3pro/s3pro.pdf) but yet they are expensive (around $2,500??). Is the 645 format a significant improvement in terms of details when compare with the 35mm flim?

thanks a lot.

alex

[another view]

Is the 645 format a significant improvement in terms of details when compare with the 35mm flim?

Yes! But again, you'll need to work with a good lab. Thanks for the link to the S3 image samples, I didn't know anything was out there yet. Calumet will let you pre-order an S3 at $2500 and estimating delivery in December.

[Michael Fanelli]

thanks another view and Loren for your advices. Yeah, the S3Pro sounds attractive, especially when looking at the sample photos (http://www.finepix.com/lineup/s3pro/s3pro.pdf) but yet they are expensive (around $2,500??). Is the 645 format a significant improvement in terms of details when compare with the 35mm flim?

Long ago when I first invested in medium format, I rented a few cameras. To me, the difference between 645 and 35mm was minimal and not worth the huge price difference. I eventually chose a 6x7 camera which was magnitudes better than 35mm.

Right now, the S3 and other digital SLRs exceed what 35mm can do. The very top-of-the-line DSLRS can match pretty much match medium format. The S3 will do better than any 35mm camera but not as well as medium format (unless it truly is remarkably advanced!). The 645 can give you nice film shots now and the digital backs coming out for it now will extend it's usefullness into the future.

I don't think there is a slam-dunk advantage to either of these cameras.

[another view]

Does the Pentax 645 use interchangeable backs? If not, you can't put a digital back on it...

[Michael Fanelli]

Does the Pentax 645 use interchangeable backs? If not, you can't put a digital back on it...

You are right, the Pentax does not have an interchangeable back. For some reason, I was thinking of Mamiya. In that case, the best choice is the S3 or forget the Pentax (great camera but a film dead end) and look at the Mamiya, Rollei, etc. Most MF cameras do have removable backs.