How Long Until Medium Format Mirrorless smaller than today's High End SLRs?

[djonesii]

Let's look at two facts

Sony makes the QX series cameras. Thus they already know wifi, nfc, and clearly focus peaking.

Sony also makes the MF chip used in the Pentax 645dz, and the latest Phase one group backs.

So, given all this stuff is known, the technologies are here today.

Put a good solid Box+tripod mount and phone holder together, slap an H mount on the front and it's done. Research costs close to zero, Given the advantanews in 3D printing, I'd even bet there is one already built in the lab!

 

[djonesii]

At this point, it's not engineering, but economics and marketing.

 

[Samouraï]

curved sensor medium format will be here sooner than never, and that's when we'll see smaller lenses and cameras. no doubt.

 

[aizan]

whenever it hits the $6-7k price point. then we'll see a digital version of the bronica rf645 with an evf.

the question isn't why medium format digital? the question is why not?

 

[JChrome]

At this point, it's not engineering, but economics and marketing.

Much agreed.

The question is, what tail is wagging the dog? Which segments are driving the industry?

Well, Leica's certainly not and neither are Phase One nor Hasselblad. Professional cameras led the industry long ago but it's been consumer grade since.

Asking a company to put a MF sensor (most likely 645) into an RF is a tall order. Not many shooters need it and I doubt they ever really will. Even for those professional shooters that use Phase One and Hassy, how badly do they want a Digital MF RF to replace their SLRs?

If I could dream, I'd have a 6x9 digital back in an RF. But will it happen? Probably not for a long time.

 

[YYV_146]

You may fail to see, but many of us (who actually use different formats in practice and know the IQ difference) see.

Actually I wait for a digital LF. I know it's a long way off, but someday we're maybe there.

Problem with the current digital MF is that the sensors themselves actually are very small in MF terms, 645 or smaller. 645, it's the smallest MF, some don't even call it a medium format, since it's just around 2 times over FF. A proper MF starts with 6x7 or bigger, that's over 5 times the area of a 35mm fullframe. You can't beat the physics, hence why the LF is still The King of Photography when it comes to the fundamentals of IQ. It's proven many times over. Limits in usage of different gear in the practice is another issue, but IQ-wise there's no competition, there's only physics.

I don't disagree with you - please read my comment. 6*7 and above will render differently (and more pleasingly) than 135, but the current digital sensor sizes will not. Not even 52*41, which is still slightly smaller than 645. That is why I said professional photographer don't choose digital medium format because of the "different look". When we are talking about 44*33 or 52*41, there simply isn't one.

LF digital is still in its crib even compared to medium format digital. The technology is simply not there yet, and few people would actually be able to afford one even if the sensor tech caught up.

 

[johannielscom]

I'm thinking the medium format folks will be smart and abandon the idea of a viewfinder on the camera and use an iPad. Attach the sensor to the back of the glass, control the sensor/shutter from the iPad and the focus and the aperture are manual on the lens.

That's the way I would rock the boat for MF camera makers. Bring out an small body for each of the old mounts. Put a good tripod mount on the bottom. Perhaps a more holdable body like the old Mamiya Press. Lota nice glass out there.

Again, use an iPad/iPod as your viewfinder. Perhaps a Mini snaps into the back of the Mamiya Press body version. Think of using fingers to enlarge the view to focus.....

B2 (;->

This has my vote, and could have my money too!

 

[erik]

I can see it happening. I shoot with a medium format digital SLR everyday, almost always tethered to a computer. The SLR viewfinder isn't really needed. I could see box like camera (RED style) that you build onto for whatever task is at hand. A bigger sensor to allow for lens movements, high IQ. It would be nice. I love that Alpa posted above! Sweet.