Digital BW, The Print

Mamiya has already introduced an "MF" digital: a 22MP rangefinder as
well as 22MP backs for various antique 120 slrs. 

This answers the question of who will process 120 color film in the
future: Almost nobody. Labs are abandoning that business right and left.

Digital eliminates the undesirable proofing delays of most former 120
shooters (wedding/portrait/studio photogs used far  more than amateurs
ever did). 

Think how effective print sales already are for the real pros who by
definition already provide large-monitor proofs immediately after the
wedding or sitting (sometimes with a gold frame around the monitor),
or while the art director and product manager are in the studio. 

There's no more place in professional photography for film, except
perhaps as a novelty.

As we know from the 6 and 7, Mamiya is capable of optics that rival Zeiss.

The cost of the new 22MP Mamiya MF rangefinder camera, or the Mamiya
22MP backs for Hassleblad and other MF cameras, is chump change for
many professional photographers and is in any case a tax deduction. 

Many professional DSLR shooters will shortly be dumping their mere 12
MP cameras for something more professional.

Meanwhile, I'm incredibly happy with my IIIC Leica and my Minolta 5400
scanner. The 1937 uncoated Elmar looks especially good on Entrada. 


> It seems more logical that MF gear would be continued; the market is
> small and has its ups and downs, but over the long term it may be more
> stable, with less competition, than the 35mm market, which is driven far
> more by common consumers who don't understand why digital might not be
> the ideal choice.