Originally posted by normhead The really exciting thing about the 645Z is the low light capacity and dynamic range at high ISO, and that's enough of an improvement over a 645D, I'm thinking I'd be better off waiting until the price falls on a 645Z, than looking for a cheap second hand or discounted 645D. For what I plan to use it for, the extremely sensitive pixels are worth more than the added resolution. So, just looking at my own idea of how I plan to use the camera, there's nothing in a D800 or A7r that impresses me. At 25,600 ISO they already show considerable noise. I suspect then the images finally come out, the 645Z is going to be a considerable improvement. And from what I can tell, improved noise capability is the next technological challenge, now that the MP race has pretty much played itself out.
I agree, i think there is commercial value in the digital MF format that the 645z represents. Its a big photographic world out there, and the idea that FF, even in such cameras as the D800 is going to solve everyone's needs, seems very unlikely to me.
To mention just one example, probably many of you have heard of NY Photographer Gregory Crewdson. You can see several videos about him on youtube or his latest documentary and trailer at:
Amazon.com: Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters: Russell Banks, Gregory Crewdson, Melissa Harris, Rick Moody: Amazon Instant Video
But the point is: he uses at least an 8 X 10 film camera (perhaps larger, i'm not an expert in film), scans the image, PP it in digital, and then has shows of large, almost wall size prints. These prints typically sell for $125,000 according to the above link. So these are fine art pictures, and at the sizes he prints, one could argue that he needs larger than FF, and even MF size may be inadequate.
There are commercial companies out there, and extreme fine art photographers like Crewdson, who would think nothing of spending the kind of lens prices mentioned below. Its nothing i will ever probably do, but there are some who need that kind of equipment.