Love the podcast and interviews!
I am a full frame DSLR user who is interested in the cost vs benefit of the various (Horseman, Novaflex, etc.) DSLR to technical view camera systems out there.
What is the reproduction size or other characteristic that makes the view camera system advantageous? And I guess for me, I am thinking of advantageous as not only markedly better images, but to make financial sense in various shoots too.

At what point is it a better choice to go with a medium format digital back and a view camera, versus a DSLR as capture device?
I shoot NYC architectural interiors, but my output is rarely used larger than 30x50 and most frequently at 8x10 or web.

Thanks,
Jeff
www.JMitchelPhoto.com

Hi Jeff,

A year ago I had the same questions and I bought a Arca Swiss metric. It has a combination of medium and large format film. With a 65mm lens the result was fantastic, a detail I had never seen with my canon 5D and L lenses.

In the meantime I also bought a Nodal Ninja 5 (NN5) for panorama work. I wanted to achieve the same quality with the 5D comparible with the Arca Swiss. I took the 5D with a 50mm lens and with the NN5 took many pictures of the same building I shot with the Arca. In PTgui I stiched the photos and compared the very high res file with the positive film. The digital high res file was almost similar to the film! As you know, the film has to be scanned and there you will lose some detail. And then I think de stitched version is even better. I've never tried a good scanning company though. But for me the digital proces gives me more flexibilty.

Some things are not possible with my digital setup such as shifting, tilting and take one shot of the scene. But most of the time these things are not needed. I have sold my Arca Swiss now (same price that I bought for) and was thankfull of using it and gave me this experience.

When you are in doubt, by a system (a good brand). Most of the time the streetprices of these equipment stay at the same level. it's a great way to explore what you had in mind.

Wish you all the best.

Ruud (Netherlands)