Hi, Nick. See below. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nick Clark" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > 1) Does the 645NII work properly with the AF-360FGZ and AF-140C flash units in TTL mode?
Yes. > 2) I know the 645NII doesn't have interchangeable backs as such, but can they be changed mid-roll in the dark or in a changing bag? If yes how does the camera keep track of the exposures, and will this affect the printing of exposure info, or does the back handle this? It's not practiaclly possible to change midroll. > 3) Can the 220 back take 120 film? Think so... But You'd probably like to have more than one holder anyway. (i have 3...). > 4) What's the chance of Pentax releasing a digital back for the 645 range in the near future? This will potentially solve my dilemma, although cost may be prohibitive. There are some rumors floating that Pentax and Kodak cooperates on this, but there's no official timeframe. > 5) Are the advantages of the 645NII over the 645N significant? There's an issue on sharpness, because the N squeeze 16 pictures onto one film whereas the NII take 15. What can happen in the N is that the film establish a shape-memory from being bent around rollers in the back. Because of this, the film isn't entirely flat when exposed. In P�l Jensen's experience (former/lurking list member), this problem increased with low temperatures, and with the time the particular frame had previously spent between the rollers. Typically, if you shot half a roll and put the camera away for a few days, you'd get it on the first frame from the rest of the roll. Other differences are that you have more control over custom functions in the NII. > 6) How do the 645NII and *ist-D compare for macro photography, particularly on location rather than studio? The instant feedback with digital is a blessing, especially for those motifs where getting the focus right is a PITA. That said, I think the 645NII is quite nice to work with outdoors too. It's big, solid, easy to focus and hold. I have had some success stalking damselflies with the 645NII and A120/4 macro. Like this one: http://home.online.no/~jooksne/645damse.jpg > 7) How do they compare for landscape and wide angle photography? The 645 system has a couple of very fine wide angles. > 8) Would the Epson 2450 be good enough for scanning 645 slides or will I need to upgrade and to what? Will the quality of a flatbed scanned 645 slide be as good or better than the *ist-D output? It's unlikely I can afford a MF film scanner. I use a Epson 1640SU, and cannot afford a 645 film scanner either. But I'm a happy camper so far. The digitised image you can get through your scanner from a 645 slide will contain more pixels than an *istD image, but less dynamic range (both from the limitations of the slide film, and from the scanner). With landscape motifs containing lots of fine detail, like grass or foliage, the 645 scan is probably going to win in print quality. However, with animal portraits against a smooth, out-of-focus background, the *istD may give the best result. It's simply smoother on even surfaces. > 9) What would you do? Not sure. >From my POV, the *istD and 645NII are so different in what they deliver that the comparison is of little worth. It depends som much on your original motivation for upgrading. > I'm interested in the responses to this question, but probably won't take it into account when deciding! Oh, now you tell me. <g> Cheers Jostein
