Pixiq

Last few weeks I had performed several interesting camera tests which was necessary for me to make a decision on which way to go with equipment upgrades. After reviewing everything I went with medium format. Not the most expensive one, but the one with large sensor, low pixel count and large pixel size.
As usual I shared my experience on my Atlanta photographer blog and below is a quick digest for you, my dear pixiq.com reader.

First one: Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark II.

I had Canon 1Ds Mark III since 2008 and I know how great this camera is. 5D Mark II was my recent purchase, it replaced my old 5D. I wanted to see myself is there is any difference in the picture quality between these cameras.

There are many similarities and many differences between both: Both Marks share the same 21.2 megapixel sensor. 1Ds Mark III is a top line of the Canon pro cameras and have best in its class focusing performance and environmental sealing, 5D can shoot at much higher ISO and have amazingly good HD video.

I am a studio shooter, and Image Quality (IQ) camera can produce is the most important factor for me.
I do not shoot in harsh environment, so I did not really enjoyed environmental sealing of 1Ds. I do not have fast running subjects, 60% of the time I shoot with manual focus. The only reason I've bought 1Ds in early 2008 was its superior, best among 35mm cameras IQ coming from its 21.2 megapixels senor, the most available pixel count on 35mm DSLR that time.

Now, 3 years later things got changed: 5D mark II seems to be a great camera, it suppose to produce the same image quality, plus, it has HD video. All this comes for about 4 times less then 1Ds Mk III original price. Since I start working with medium format I feel like 5D will be a better backup camera than 1Ds: 

On the test I'll introduce you below I was testing pure IQ of both cameras. This test was my decision maker on 1Ds sale (actually it was sold right now what I am writing this article:-).

Canon 1Ds Mark III vs 5D Mark II: is there is any difference in image quality? In-studio test run.

The second review: one most advanced medium format sensors ever made:

Leaf Aptus-II 12 80 megapixel digital back and PhaseOne 645Df camera

Leaf Aptus-II 12, is the most advanced (in pair with PhaseOne IQ-180) digital sensors exist for now. 80 megapixel packed at 40x54mm sensor provide the best possible IQ for a photographer. The price, starting from $34K, suggests the same. If you think this is too much for a sensor, you might be wrong: Phase One IQ-180 digital back, while sharing the same sensor, cost almost $12K more.

Obviously, such sensors and cameras they will be mounted on won't find a place at 99% of photographer's bags. But for the rest 1% it will be a very necessary upgrade: not such a big of a deal in the world of hi-end advertisement photography, where cost of a single assignment can easily reach $100K mark.

So, here it is, Leaf Aptus-II 12 mega-sensor. The real full-frame MFDB:

Read full test review on the blog:

Leaf Aptus-II 12 80 megapixel digital back review: it is not only pixels that count.

I was referring to a Hasselblad H4d-50 system a lot in the leaf's test, and you may like to check the whole article as well. Especially as it was a very unusually comparison between Canon 1Ds Mark II and Hassy:

Hasselblad H4D-50 against Canon 1Ds MarkIII: what do we get for the money?

Crazy comparison, is not it? However, I have to see the real difference myself: bare numbers does not mean anything to me.

After all being said, if you are going to upgrade your camera, first ask yourself a question: What I will be able to do with new one that I can’t do with my current. Hope this will help you to make decision.

More stuff to come: soon I'll be testing different studio lighting, stay tuned!
Yours,
Atlanta photographer Alex Koloskov