There's an article at outbackphoto that compares a 4x5 drum scan to 39mp backs. Guess what wins ? Kurth

I'm going to guess LF won that battle.

(goes over to look)

And I was right -- can't say I'm surprised :-). However, the 39MP files do look really nice, and it is a heck of a lot easier to shoot with a MF / SLR camera than a LF camera. Unfortunately, the $40,000 price tag (plus the cost of the SLR) doesn't sit well, considering you can build a good LF setup from scratch for under a grand!

I'm still waiting for the day when some company comes up with inexpensive -- or at least, LOTS less expensive -- large sensors to use on a LF camera just like a film back. In the meantime or until I get really, really rich, I'll shoot film.

Also, to give credit where it is due, that's a Luminous Landscape article linked from Outback Photo.