Yamiya, Just wanna blog

As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them. In recent years, we saw the popularization of DSLR. Cheaper, smaller, more portable, faster, and larger arsenal (lenses) compare. The introduction of Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, with 16.7MP super sharp and free noise sensor in it’s body, at the fraction of the cost of digital backs, it quickly shakens the market. The effect is devastating. Bronica, Contax end their business. Fuji stops introduce new model. Pentax and Rolleiflex did not introduce new models for many years until recently. Their survival is based on other more lucrative business, i.e. DSLR and compact cameras. Mamiya-OP sold off their camera division to Cosmos Scientific Systems Inc, no longer the Mamiya we know. Horseman sometimes refer to a medium format camera brand, which is not all true. Their products are unique, and they are makers of technical and view cameras. The true player left is Hasselblad.

Earlier this year, Mamiya announced Mamiya ZD. An integrated 22MP sensor “medium format”. To me it resembles more characteristic of DSLR than medium format. The distinctive features that still separates it from DSLR is the 645AF lenses.

Photokina 2006 saw a dramatic change in medium format market. Hasselblad introduced H3D, a completely close format medium format camera. Hasselblad strips the capability of interchange digital backs. H3D users are restricted to Hasselblad digital backs. At the launch, Hasselblad terms H3D as the world first 48mm full frame medium format DSLR. Confusing classification. Pentax also announced a new 645 18MP DSLR (That’s the full name). Again, integrated sensor.

As everyone thought medium format will fade into the shadow of DSLR, Sinar, Rolleiflex and Leaf (Digital backs maker) join forces on a new hybrid medium format camera. It’s called Sinar Hy6/Rolleiflex Hy6/Leaf AFi. (Visit my album – http://yamiya.multiply.com/photos/album/37) It’s a welcoming move. Hybrid means open system. If this happens in DSLR world, meaning with Canon body, I can use Canon, Nikon, Carl Zeiss and Leica lens. However with Sinar a large format camera maker, Leaf a digital back manufacturer, this decision more like sharing cost in development. Is this purely keeping a dying traditional industry? Or the beginning of a new system? Maybe one day DSLR world will be similar to PC world, where parts are interchangeable regardless of brands.

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