I've been looking at a Fujifilm GX680 with the idea of perhaps getting a digital back for it someday. I currently shoot with a Canon 5D and also with a 4x5 view camera but was hoping to find a middle road of shooting digitally but still having movements available. I know that I could get a TS-E for movements on the 5D but it's just not the same as using a view camera. Anyways, I was wondering whats available for the GX680 and what the prices are like for a used digital back. I'm not opposed to the older backs if it brings the price to a reasonable level (i.e. $3-4k). I saw a few Phase One Powerphase backs for relatively cheap on the bay. Untethered is preferable, but if it's going to put the price out of reach then I'll pass. Any info you guys can provide would be awesome. Thanks!
It is not that popular of a camera for use with diggibacks because the lens are only so-so. Sensor based cameras really need just the best glass, anything less will look mediocre.
I don't know about the digibacks that will fit that camera, but when I did a little research into it, it appeared as if the widest lenses for the camera weren't that wide, and didn't have enough image circle for very large movements.
Have you considered the Zork approach with your 5d? Very happy with mine and Pentax 645 glass. No, no tilt, but the shift is a much bigger deal to me with such a short focal length (compared to 4x5 stuff). The fact that it is rear shift is also nice for stitching.
Of course you may be shooting something totally different than me, such as tabletop. If so, ignore my statements...
Maybe an old Kodak DCS Pro in Hassy mount? Ithink they're around 4-5k on the 'bay.
I know a few people that have gone the Hassy Flexbody route using the 40mm. apparently you get a bit of movement since the backs are about 645 sized on the sensor. The Cambo DS, or the Alpa are the bomb, but laying out the cash is hard, especially after throwing down for the back. I can say that the 4x5/stitching back is a mighty cumbersome unit. It can yield good results, but it is a lot of effort and time. For the moment it's what I use, but I will move to something like the Cambo when I can.
Hmmm.... lots to think about. I've been doing a bit of research on what's available, resolution, price, etc. Seems like there's a pretty substantial investment if I want resolution greater than my Canon 5D even. Not sure if I should even go that route. Perhaps I'll get rid of all my medium format gear and go with the DSLR + 4x5 film route until I can find a cheaper option for digital backs as time progresses and the prices go down. From stuff that I'm reading on Reichmann's site, most of the companies that make medium format cameras have gone the way of the dodo already, so I don't know if it would even be a wise investment to continue to pursue MF digital for me.
It's a good studio setup where the longer lenses and movements make a good 5x4 substitute but it is not much use for wide stuff like you will need for architectural work - 45mm on a 645 medium format chip is not that wide. Also the fixed ratio rack focusing is very difficult to use with wide lenses. There are now a number of dedicated shift bodies for digital backs but I have found that the actual range of shift is not that great with some - no where near what you can get ( and often need) when shooting 5x4. With a 5d there are a number of solutions: 24mm TS-E - not fantastic but for jobs that don't require the absolute quality of 5x4 or 22mp + digital it's OK. There may be some sample variation issues. The old Olympus 35mm shift with an adapter is a suprisingly good performer and the 45 and 90 Canon TS-E's are by all accounts excellent.
