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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Micro Four Thirds - E-System Digital SLR

oly-m43.jpg
Olympus, the other Micro Four-Thirds Company, who initially made a big splash at the m4/3 intro with their retro styled prototype, has been very, very quiet about their development in this area.

Until now.

The banner above is currently gracing the Micro Four Thirds page over at olympusamerica.com. Other rumor sites have pretty much confirmed that the orange color will not be available (thank the maker). Hopefully this will be a real competitor to the rumored Panny LX-5/Leica D-Lux5. I for one am keen to see this happen.

[From Micro Four Thirds - E-System Digital SLR]

Friday, May 1, 2009

PhaseOne announces new digital back - P40+

Phase One Launches P 40+ with Sensor+phase1logo.WQQlJXgLTSp3.jpg
Medium format camera quality plus hand-held flexibility in one system

COPENHAGEN, April 30, 2009 -- Phase One, the leader in open-platform based medium format camera systems and solutions, today announced immediate availability of the Phase One P40+ -- the company’s second Sensor+ enabled digital camera back/camera system.

Like the P 65+ introduced last year, this new system offers two separate image-capture modes. In normal mode, the P 40+ delivers full 40 megapixel captures for high-quality image details.P40+ And when shooting conditions demand, a photographer can push a button and instantly switch from 40 megapixels to 10 megapixels, gaining a four-fold increase in light sensitivity (ISO to 3200), and a capture rate of up to 1.8 frames per second --an ideal performance for hand-held and/or low-light conditions.

“Our second Sensor+ enabled system has been designed to deliver the fastest capture rate of any high-end medium format camera system on the market today,” said Jan H. Christiansen, marketing director for Phase One. “Our relentless innovation is inspired by the needs of quality-conscious professional photographers who seek flexible and reliable camera systems that can work as hard as they do.”

The versatility of the P 40+ system is important for those who seek quality medium format 16-bit capture under a variety of working conditions. Both modes feature a 12.5 f-stop dynamic range. From high-end wedding, fashion and fine-art photographers to photojournalists, the choice of capture modes in a single camera system frees photographers to focus on the job at hand rather than worry over equipment. Best results of Sensor+ technology are available by processing images using Phase One Capture One software version 4.8 or higher.

Technical specifications:
P 40+ full resolution capture mode:
Resolution: 40 megapixels
Pixel size: 6 x 6 micron
RAW file compression:
IIQ large: 40 MB
IIQ small: 26 MB
ISO: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800
Capture rate: Up to 1.2 frames per second


P 40+ Sensor+ capture mode:
Resolution: 10 megapixels
Pixel size: 12 x 12 micron
RAW file compression:
IIQ large: 10 MB
IIQ small: 7 MB
ISO: 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

Capture rate: up to 1.8 frames per second

Phase One P+ camera back mounts:
Phase One 645 AF, Mamiya 645AFDII/ AFDIII, Mamiya RZ67 PRO IID via adaptor, Hasselblad H1 and H2, Hasselblad 555ELD, 553ELX, 503CW and 501CM, Contax 645.

Wide angle & technical cameras: 4 x 5” via FlexAdaptor: Arca Swiss, Cambo, Linhof, Toyo, Sinar, Plaubel, Horseman.

Pricing & Availability
The P 40+ digital back starts at €14,990; the P 40+ camera system starts at €16,990.

All products are available now.

More information
For full technical specs, please read more here: www.phaseone.com/p40. For pricing and more information please contact a local Phase One dealer: http://www.phaseone.com/Content/ContactUs/LocateDealer.aspx

About Phase One
Phase One is a leading provider of digital image capture and work flow management technology. Phase One 645 Camera Systems and P+ digital backs open new possibilities, putting the focus back on the moment of capture. Phase One Capture One software helps streamline the capture and post-production process. Supporting DSLR, medium- and large format photographic equipment, Phase One products are renowned for their superior quality, flexibility and speed — enabling pro photographers to realize their most subtle and most complex visions without compromise.

Phase One is an employee-owned company based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne and Shanghai. For more information please, visit the Phase One web site on www.phaseone.com.

Phase One and Capture One are registered trademarks of Phase One A/S. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.



Friday, April 3, 2009

Photo News Update

Mamiya displays new prototype medium format digital camera at PIE 2009. At PIE 2009 in Japan, Mamiya unveiled the Mamiya 645DF, a newMamiya 645DF 3/4 View medium format camera body optimized for digital use only. Taking a page for Hasselblad's book, Mamiya engineers have come up with a body designed to take maximum advantage of digital without incorporating compromises for film support. The body incorporates a metal focal plane shutter but can be used with a new series of leaf shutter lenses also introduced at PIE 2009. This means that Leica's S2 is no longer the only dual shutter medium format system on the block. The 645DF maintains the modular design preferred by medium format manufacturers, however they are now offering a vertical grip with additional battery capacity. The entire system weighs 1,880 grams (just over 4lbs) before adding a digital back. Not for the faint of arm. The system is compatible with all Mamiya 645 mount lenses (AF and non-AF) plus Hasselblad V-series lenses via an adaptor. Here are the specs:

Camera type:6x4.5cm format, electronically controlled focal plane shutter, TTL multi-mode, AE, AF Single Lens Reflex for digital use.
Image size:56x41.5mm (actual image)
Compatible digital backs:Mamiya ZD Back (and Double Buffer), all Digital Backs compatible with the Mamiya 645AF series
Lens mount:Mamiya 645AF Mount (645 non-AF series can be attached, Hasselblad V series lenses call also be attached with a separately sold mount adapter.)
Viewfinder:Fixed Prism eye level viewfinder with diopter adjustment, magnification xO.71
Field of view:Approx. 94% (on a linear measurement)
Auto focusing system:TTL phase difference detection device, CCD line sensor (1+1 shaped, operation range: EVO to 18 (ISO 100)
Exposure modes:Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, Program AE (program shift possible), Manual
Metering mode:TTL full-aperture metering; center-weighted average (A), Spot (S), Variable ratio (A·S auto)
Shutter:Electronically controlled vertical metal focal-plane shutter, can be used with Mamiya AF leaf-shutter lenses
Weight / dimensions:153 (W) x 128 (H) x 153.3 (D) mm, 1,030g (without batteries)
Price & Delivery time:TBA
Also announced was the Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8 LS D lens. Despite the poor choice of initials (the japanese are apparently unaware what LSD means in the US), the new lens offers a leaf shutter system. Users can choose between the higher sync speeds of the leaf shutter or faster shutter speeds of the focal plane shutter, increasing the versatility of the system. I predict other medium format camera makers will begin making similar offerings as well. Specs:
Compatible cameras: 645DF/645AFDIII (requires upgrading)
Optical construction: 5 groups / 6 elements
Angle of view: 47 degrees
Minimum aperture: 22
Minimum focusing distance: 70cm
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.15
Area covered: 377 x 279mm
Equivalent focal length in 35mm: 50mm (for the 645 film image size)
Price & Delivery time:TBA
Last, but not least, is the Multi-battery Vertical Grip GB401 which only works with the new 645DF body. This device adds a portrait mode shutter release, AE lock button, AF lock button and can wirelessly synchronize with compatible strobes. The grip accepts AA alkaline batteries, AA rechargeable NiMH and lithium ion batteries. Specs:
Compatible cameras: 645DF
Features: Shutter release button, AE & AF lock buttons, Rear & front electronic dials
Weight / dimensions: 153 (L) x 115 (H) x 78 (W)mm, 400g (including batteries)
Price & Delivery time: TBA
Expect to see a similar system announced by Phase One. Cosina/Voigtlander announce a new lens and viewfinder in M-mount. Cosina, owner and manufacturer of the Voigtlander brand of cameras andCV 15mm f/4.5 Rangefinder Coupled M mount lens lenses, announced that they will begin shipping very shortly a rangefinder-coupled, M-mount version of their world famous 15mm f/4.5 lens. Sporting a 52mm filter size, this new take on a classic lens is the perfect choice for super wide-angle photography especially on the Leica M8. 15-35mm Multi Format ViewfinderAlso announced was a 15-35mm Multi Viewfinder, the perfect companion for framing images with the CV 15mm f/4.5. Both products are expected by the end of April. Pricing has not been announced, but USA Cosina Voigtlander dealer CameraQuest is taking pre orders with a $100 deposit.