[Leica] three questions: C41 b/w film; Mamiya DM22; why no US version of GF1 w 20mm kit?

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

> I'm contemplating C41 b and w film. I've used the Kodak and liked it
> sometimes and not others (dependong on factors I was too ignorant to learn
> how to control at the time, I suspect). My impression though was that Koday
> was the best of them but I do recollect an Ilford that some people liked...
> perhaps it was that 50 ASA of theirs?
> 
> Anyone using C41 and feel knowledgeable and opinionated enough to declare
> differences and preferences?
> 
> Or, here's another question:
> 
> I see on B&H site that there's a Mamiya medium format digital camera for
> under $10K, called the DM22. Anyone know about it, have an opinon, etc? for
> the price it comes with an 80mm lens, which I guess is kind of an 
> equivalent
> to normal size lens?
> 
> And finally: among you GF1 fanatics out there -- does anyone know why you
> can buy the GF! with the 20mm as a kit in Europe but, after a brief
> availablility, not here? (here being the good ole' US of A folks. TGeam
> America. Burn the camera in order to save it. Semper Fi. all that.)_
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Vince
> 
That's just the back on the Mamiya.
Check the dpreview two cameras came out two weeks ago to shake up the medium
format thing a little big getting it going.
A Pentax and a Mamiya with the Mamiya costing twice what the Pentax was
costing and both the the exact same format and megapixels.
 40MP, 44 x 33 CCD sensor,
And the Pentax looks super cool and cost $9,400
It has respectable glass from its 645 system for the lowest price point I
think in medium format photography. Which is good for me becaue if I'm
getting into a new system for me I'd also need glass.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1003/10031002pentax645d.asp
Pentax unveils 40MP 645D medium format DSLR


[Rabs]
Mark William Rabiner