I have been using the Sinar system for 4 years and am currently using the 54 back. I don't know all the merits and failings of each system, so I will give my opinions on the Sinar route. New camera is not necessary, but to invest so much money on your existing 5x4 system is not sensible. Sinar produce different lenses for different platforms, P2 P3 and M. They are not interchangeable, and are expensive so you will want to stick to the route you now choose. Lens performance is critical in achieving the best results, particularly in 1 shot. Video preview is essential if you are using view camera, (otherwise no view). The gains of multi over single shot diminish as the chips get bigger and the resolution greater. It very much depends on the work you are doing. Some of the problems of one shot can be overcome in post production, moire, slight fringing.. the usuals. What cannot be so easily rectified is the micro desaturation and reduced edge definition caused when contrasting colours meet in small details (we're talking Small here). A lot of shots will be practically identical in 1 and 4 shot on these chips. All these problems are related to the optical quality and will diminish or extend depending... I have not had much success with multi(16)shot, seems to need fantastic optics and unbelievably steady environment to be satisfactory. I have made quite a lot of tests of this function (on the older 23HR) and never used it commercially preferring to upsize 4 shot. 1 shot on fast G5 will take about 20secs to open (capturshop 5 should improve this condsiderably)
It is very much a question of your needs, get the dealers to demo these products for you and shoot things you need it to do... Best of luck, Andy P.s. Mail me off list if you need further info. =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
