Mar 062013
 

Waukegan, Ill. – March 6, 2013 – Fotodiox (www.fotodioxpro.com), a leading lens adapter and accessories manufacturer and distributor, today introduces the RhinoCam, a camera system that, for the first time in the digital age, puts the power of a full-size 645 medium format back into the hands of virtually any photographer. Utilizing the Sony NEX camera sensor, RhinoCam enables photographers at any level to capture the dramatic detail and sharpness only available with a sensor three times larger than even a high-end full-frame 35mm sensor. The first release from Fotodiox’s new Vizelex line of premium high-end camera systems and adapaters, the RhinoCam delivers stunning 140+ megapixel images while offering photographers their choice of low-cost sensor options and classic lenses.Rhinocam

[Image Courtesy of SonyAlphaRumors]

Continue reading »

Oct 272012
 

PhotoPlus finished up today with me wandering around seeing if I missed anything while scurrying from interview to interview the previous two days. There were a couple things that I did manage to notice.

Storage Vendors
In previous Expos the only storage vendors to show up were Drobo and LaCie (who were there) but at this show storage companies Synology and QNAP were there showing their network attached wares along with direct attached storage (DAS) vendor CruDataPort. 
The Synology unit pictured above has dual Gigabit ethernet ports and can handle up to eight SATA drives in a classic RAID configuration or Synology’s Hybrid RAID (similar to Drobo). The system is designed for business class use so it has a ton of features that pro photographers can really use. Multi-unit backup, offsite backups, cloud backups and Dropbox like services are just some of the features offered. 
QNAP, like Synology, makes business-class NAS devices with a ton of features useful for pro photographers. These are networked attached devices and the eSATA and USB ports on the back are for attaching external single drives or for daisy-chaining units together.
CruDataPort makes some of the studiest data enclosures on the planet. This is military-grade stuff. I had reviewed one of the products a few years ago. This particular model supports RAID right in tthe device itself. No special card needed. Just jack it into the USB 3.0 or eSATA ports. For the record, I forgot to photograph the new model of the above pictured unit which has eSATA and USB 3.0 ports.
Carl Zeiss

Carl Zeiss had their new X-mount and E-mount prototypes on display on their intended camera bodies. These lenses are autofocus and on the X-mount lens there is an aperture ring. I, for one, cannot wait  for these lenses to arrive in May.
Schneider-Kreuznach

The iPro System is a lens system for the iPhone 4/4S. It is a case and lens combination that adds a super-wide and telephoto adapter to the iPhone 4/4S. There is an optional fisheye lens as well. A new case is being designed for the iPhone 5.
The item on the bottom is a polarizing filter for the iPhone (all models). A small metal ring is attached to the body of the iPhone with adhesive tape and the lens is attached via magnets. This will also take care of any flaring that has been reported on the iPhone 5.
Cambo

Digital Transitions had several high-end medium format digital systems on display. Pictured above is the new Cambo WRC-400 compact technical camera. This is my dream camera. Never going to happen to me unless a miracle occurs to the tune of $20,000.00 (including the IQ140 digital back).
Lensbaby

Creative lensmaker Lensbaby was there with new Composer Pro body, Sweet 35 and Edge 80 optics. The Sweet 35 and Edge 80 differ from their other optics as the actually have internal apertures instead of the washer system used by the rest of their line. Alpha mounts are now available so that means that Sony users can feel the Lensbaby love as well. I will posting a review of the Sweet 35 and Edge 80 on the A99 in the near future as well.
That wraps up the show reports. Please visit this site for updated reviews and information. If you enjoyed reading these reports or have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and don’t forget to share this with your friends.
Thank you and take care.
Feb 272012
 

COPENHAGEN, February 27, 2012 — The 2012 Phase One Digital Artist Series (PODAS) international photography workshops are now open for enrollment. Each of the ten all-inclusive photo excursions is limited to less than 25 participants. All feature a hands-on learning environment amidst breathtaking surroundings, and for the first time, French and German speaking workshops have been arranged.

phase1logo.jpg

Continue reading »

Sep 152011
 

COPENHAGEN, Denmark and BAD KREUZNACH, Germany, September 15, 2011 — Phase One, medium format market leader and precision lens maker Schneider Kreuznach today announced a series of new lenses. Building on two years of intense collaboration including delivering four new lenses to market, the companies have now designed another four superior quality lenses for professional photographers.

LS GroupImage2 white

Continue reading »

Jul 142010
 

TOKYO, NEW YORK and TEL AVIV, July 14, 2010 – Mamiya Digital Imaging today announced the first step in a global campaign to offer up-and-coming photographers creative freedom beyond their DSLR cameras. Following successful test marketing in the United States, Mamiya has announced that three of its popular medium format camera systems — the Mamiya DM 22, DM28 and DM33 — are now available worldwide at affordable prices.

Mamiya DM System

Continue reading »

May 012010
 

From the Better-Late-Than-Never-Dept*:

COPENHAGEN, March 3, 2010— The 2010 Phase One Digital Artist Series (PODAS) international workshops are now open for enrollment. Dedicated to accelerating participants’ awareness and photographic skills through a small-group, intensive, interactive, hands-on learning environment, each of this year’s five all-inclusive PODAS workshops is limited to 25 participants and will be held at some of the most world’s most beautiful locations.

Multiple instructors and Phase One support staff offer a very low student-to-instructor ratio. Instructors include pro photographers and creative luminaries such as: Bill Atkinson, Daniel Bergmann, Charles Cramer, Mark Dubovoy, Katrin Eismann, Jack Flesher, James Martin, Jeff Schewe, Tim Wolcott, and Phase One CTO and vice president Claus Molgaard.

Each participant will be loaned a 60-megapixel P 65+ camera system comprising a Phase One 645DF camera body and P65+ back; a full set of Phase One lenses will also be available; also included is a copy of Capture One PRO software. Shooting excursions will be complemented by seminars on topics ranging from visualization to composition, capture, workflow and presentation.

For pricing, selected instructors, and much more, please see: www.phaseone.com/podas Calendar follows:

May 23-28 Big Sur, USA
June 8-13 Glacier National Park, USA
August 29 – September 5 Iceland
October 31 – November Zion National Park, USA
December 1-7 Australia

“We’re offering photographers the chance to see the world in a whole new way,” said Kevin Raber, host of the PODAS workshop series and a vice president of Phase One US. “Participants will experience for themselves incredible image quality, advanced technology, small student/instructor ratios, continuous discovery, and a great deal of fun.”

A PODAS blog is now at: http://podas.info/ featuring a video presentation of the first workshop held last year. And you can follow PODAS on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/PODASworkshops

About Phase One
Phase One is the world’s leader in open-platform based medium format camera systems and solutions. Phase One medium format cameras, digital backs and lenses are designed to deliver superior quality image capture and investment value. Phase One’s Capture One software helps streamline capture and post-production processes for both medium format and DSLR cameras. Phase One products are known for their quality, flexibility and speed enabling pro photographers shooting in a wide range of formats to achieve their creative visions without compromise. For more information about the products, visit the Phase One web site on www.phaseone.com.

Phase One is an employee-owned company based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne and Shanghai.

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.

* with apologies to CmdrTaco and the Slashdot gang. Remember, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Mar 012010
 

Elmsford, NY – March 1, 2010 – Mamiya today announced the addition of the new Mamiya DM40 to its lineup of professional large-sensor DSLRs. Featuring a resolution of 40 megapixels with a peak capture rate of .8 seconds per frame and a sustained capture rate of 60 frames per minute, the Mamiya DM40 is the industry’s fastest large-sensor DSLR.

The heart of the DM40 system is the new “DF” camera-core technology, developed by Mamiya, featuring two user-selectable shutter systems: leaf or focal plane. In demanding daylight situations, photographers can use predictable high speed flash synchronization to fill-in or overpower even the brightest ambient light on one of three new leaf-shuttered lenses designed by Schneider-Kreuznach and manufactured by Mamiya. The lenses – available in focal lengths of 55mm, 80mm, and 110mm – deliver an effective maximum flash sync speed of up to 1/1600th of a second. For more conventional situations, photographers can choose any one of 15 other world-class Mamiya optics, from 28mm to 300mm APO, designed for use with the cameras’ focal plane shutter system.

Also newly announced, the Mamiya DM40 Digital Back will be available for those customers who wish to obtain the latest in high-speed and resolution digital capture for their existing Mamiya or large format camera. Supported cameras include: Mamiya 645AFD series, 645DF, Mamiya RZ series (via optional adapter), Mamiya RB series (via optional adapter), and 4×5 view cameras (via optional adapter).

Specifications Highlights

CCD: 44 x 33mm, 40 Megapixel

Largest file size: 240 MB 16 bit TIFF

ISO: 80-800

Capture rate: 0.8 sec/frame

Digital imaging user interface: 6x7cm LCD touchscreen

Pricing and Availability
The Mamiya DM40 DSLR kit will be available in the U.S. at $21,990, including Mamiya 80mm f.2.8 D lens. The Mamiya DM40 Digital Back, also available in the U.S. at $19,990. Both are expected to be shipping in March, and include Capture One and Leaf Capture software.

For more information, visit www.Mamiya.com

Feb 122010
 

TEL AVIV, February 12, 2010 – Leaf Imaging today announced the Leaf Aptus-II 8 medium format digital camera back. The company’s newest addition to the Leaf Aptus-II product family, the Leaf Aptus-II 8 features a resolution of 40 MP. At a capture rate of under 0.8 seconds per frame, it delivers a sustainable burst of 60 full resolution images per minute, making it the industry’s fastest digital back.

Continue reading »

Feb 022010
 

Hasselblad brings Medium Format DSLR advantages to new generation of photographers with new H4D-40 camera.hasselblad.png

The announcement of Hasselblad’s H4D line of cameras and True Focus technology heralded the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs. Now, with the launch of the H4D-40, Hasselblad is announcing its intent to bring the advantages of Medium Format DSLRs to high-end 35mm photographers.

Continue reading »

Feb 012010
 

Hasselblad confuses me. I signed an NDA (which I am honoring, BTW) that restricts me from discussing their new camera product, the H4D-40. I can say the name because I have two general emails from them stating it, their website states it, and Photo Pro Magazine in the UK has a print ad with the camera name and the launch date.

topimage-firstlook-q110.jpg

OK, I’m all for product secrecy before launch and everything, but why go through the motions if the company themselves (and their PR firm) blow the NDA?

What exactly have you legally bound me to do?

Not talk about the product? – You are doing that.

Not discuss technical details? – You haven’t sent me any. I can deduce them from other press releases and guess the missing bits.

Not show any sample images? – You haven’t sent me a sample camera to shoot with. I can assume that you tapped some of the Hasselblad Masters to showcase the product and they will undoubtedly produce some truly stunning images with it, but if you are going through the motions and expense of an NDA, send those of us who agreed to your terms a camera to test on our own, not in some controlled experiment.

NDA means Non Disclosure Agreement. It’s only meaningful if there is something to disclose. It’s not a tool to let the company make announcements before anybody else.

For those of you who want to register for the event, click on the picture above.

Switch to our mobile site