Phase One’s PODAS series is offering a workshop in New Zealand this year. These are intense affairs with each minute packed with photography, travel, lectures, and hand’s on teaching. Each participant has the use of a state of the art IQ180 80 megapixel camera system and access to all of the company’s lenses. If you want to learn about the best medium format has to offer while shooting in a spectacular local, this is a great opportunity. Follow the link to the PODAS website.

http://podas.info/2011/09/11/new-zealand-podas-workshop-announced/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20075731-264/private-equity-firm-acquires-hasselblad/

On Monday Phase One announced the release of three new backs, the IQ140, IQ160, and IQ180, featuring 40, 60, and 80 megapixels respectively.

Although 80 megapixels is an incremental increase, the other capabilities of the backs impress me more.

These are the first backs to employ USB 3, which will eventually be a  blessing when dealing with such large files. New superfast buffering facilitates quick work. A 3.2 inch, 1.15 megapixel multi-touch screen that takes advantage of Focus Mask and instant zoom to confirm focus on the fly. The screen compensates for ambient brightness automatically. Focus Mask during preview clarifies the range of focus for the first time before the shot.

Specs are great, but when working with a camera, you want it to get out of the way. These backs answer a host of prayers.

I haven’t seen or handled any of the IQ backs yet, but I expect to get my hands on one near the time of their release in April. If the handling improvements are as dramatic as claimed, the Phase One system will extend its dominance of the medium format space.

The Phase One press release follows.

Phase One Announces IQ Series
Digital Camera Backs
Designed for Ultimate Creative Freedom
Copenhagen, January 24, 2011 — Phase One, the world’s leading pro photography equipment provider, today announced a bold new generation of medium format digital camera backs. The Phase One IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 digital camera backs feature maximum resolutions of 80, 60.5 and 40 high quality megapixels respectively. This series sets new standards for medium format camera system handling and performance.
The Phase One IQ180 captures at full-frame 80 megapixel resolution, with a dynamic range of 12.5 f-stops. It is the first product of its kind to feature a USB3 connection, facilitating faster image transfers in the future. The IQ180 also features a FireWire 800 connection, ensuring the fastest tethered capture speeds possible today. For untethered shooting, the IQ180 digital back’s new memory card interface is so fast that it eliminates buffering delays, supporting continuous shooting until a card is filled.
“I am amazed by the image quality I’ve gotten ‘out of the box’ with the Phase One IQ180 on the Phase One 645DF camera. I can create images with more detail and unique looks than with any other camera out there. It helps me develop styles unique to me,” said lifestyle photographer Jens Honoré. (website: http://www.jenshonore.com/)
A newly-designed 3.2 inch retina type, multi touch screen features 1.15 megapixel resolution, providing the highest resolution and largest display of any SLR type camera available today. This means that very fine details can be checked instantly during a photo shoot — for instance using Phase One’s unique Focus Mask and the instant zoom function. The automatic adjustment of brightness and contrast ensures that the display is visible under various light conditions.
Context-sensitive controls, such as the instant zoom function, allow a photographer to zoom into an image using one finger only. Small histograms and highlight warnings can be enlarged to full screen view by a simple touch. The new Focus Mask available during preview helps validate depth-of-field and image focus. The wide format display allows for a full 4:3 aspect ratio VGA resolution image next to histogram, highlight warning, focus mask, EXIF data, and touch controls. This touch screen display is complemented by Phase One’s intuitive 4-button navigation.
“The new high-resolution multi touch screen with its intuitive controls is a perfect tool for checking image quality right at the moment of capture. With this display quality, I can leave my laptop at home, and ultimately this makes
my work easier,” said architectural photographer, Eugeni Pons. (website:

http://www.eugeni-pons.com/)

Phase One’s patent-pending Sensor+ technology, built into the Phase One IQ180, supports a variety of shooting conditions. One can capture images with full 80 megapixels resolution or, using Sensor+ mode, switch instantly to capture images with 20 megapixels resolution at 4 times higher sensitivity, up to ISO 3200. This flexibility is very useful under low light conditions; there is no need to slow down to change cameras, and there’s no crop or lens factor. One gets the maximum wide-angle performance from the existing lens, higher ISO levels, and a faster workflow.
According to fashion photographer Stefan Kapfer, “The new IQ180 suits my work very well. I can use the full 80 megapixel resolution for my high end fashion shots, and the 20 megapixel images I get from the Sensor+ technology give me a faster workflow when I do work for catalogue production. It’s really two perfect solutions in one system.” (website: http:// www.stefankapfer.de/)
Compatibility is improved between the IQ digital backs and the Phase One 645DF camera body. The power state of the digital back can now be controlled directly from the 645DF camera. An integrated battery charger ensures that the battery is charged while one is shooting tethered, offering more shooting versatility.
Capture One 6
Capture One 6 has been optimized for shooting with Phase One IQ digital backs. Together with the IQ series backs this professional RAW converter and image editing software will deliver the world’s highest image quality with excellent color and detail. The software comprises all the tools required to capture, organize, edit, share and print images for an efficient workflow.
Reliability and Service
Pro photographers can rely on Phase One IQ digital backs to get their jobs done. Their highly durable build quality is designed and tested to work in the toughest environments, including extreme heat, cold and humidity.
All Phase One products represent long-term investment value with superior service. For professionals, this protection is priceless, especially when shooting in unfamiliar situations and locations around the world.
Various service levels are available for Phase One IQ digital backs. For example, a value-added option includes a life-time (5 year) warranty, a free loaner unit during repair and other options. Phase One offers 365 days round the clock support delivered on-line and backed up by dedicated partners and a global support team. For a complete list of all the new Phase One IQ digital back features, including supported camera bodies, please see www.phaseone.com/iq
Availability and Pricing
The Phase One IQ180 is expected to be available end of April 2011. The Phase One IQ160 and IQ140 are expected to be available end of May 2011. The products may be ordered now through Phase One professional photography partners worldwide: www.phaseone.com/partners
Prices for new digital backs start at 16.990 EUR / 21.990 USD. Attractive upgrade offers are available for all existing Phase One photographers. People interested in a demo of the new products can sign up for a live demo here: www.phaseone.com/demo

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. 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, please visit Phase One at http://www.phaseone.com. Follow Phase One on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/PhaseOneWW

http://tinyurl.com/2f25q5g

Some of the improvements don’t mean much to the way I shoot. I don’t care about increased tethering speed, for example. Autofocus works faster, improving the Leica’s class-leading speed, and the interface offers more custom settings. However, a few new features refine control and speed shooting in ways that matter most to me.

1. The histogram is now larger and easier to read. More importantly and unlike any other display I know, it reflects RAW data, not a jpeg representation. As someone who usually exposes to the right to get the maximum amount of information in a file, this is indispensable.

2. The clipping points for shadow and highlight on the histogram can be set by the user. Again, this is invaluable.

3. User profiles now include Drive mode. One can set up all parameters for a given situation. A landscape photographer can instantly switch from his preferred set up- single shot, mirror lock up, manual focus, manual exposure- to fashion mode- auto focus, aperture priority, high speed drive, etc- in a matter of moments.

Once again, Leica sets the standard for usability.

Leica S2 Firmware Press Release:

Germany (December 22, 2010) – Leica Camera AG has released a new firmware update for the Leica S-System. All LEICA S2 and S2-P cameras will now be supplied with the latest firmware version. Users wishing to bring their camera up-to-date can now download the firmware update from the “Owners Area” on the Leica website and take advantage of the latest improvements.

“Our close cooperation with photographers gives us not only an opportunity to constantly develop and improve the Leica S-System, but also allows us to address the precise needs of professional photographers. Therefore, the latest update, FW 1.0.0.24, includes quite a number of suggestions and wishes determined during discussions with professional users. The result is a wide range of improvements for applications, features and functions as well as the handling of the S2,” reports Stephan Schulz, product manager for the Leica S-System at Leica Camera AG.

The FW 1.0.0.24 firmware update enables a multitude of enhanced camera functions. These include, for instance, lossless DNG compression. This offers particular benefits by reducing file sizes from around 75MB to around 40MB and increasing the burst-rate capability to 14 consecutive exposures (at 1.5 frames per second). Both of these factors depend on the image content. At the same time, DNG compression leads to faster file-saving and transfer times when shooting tethered. Further new features of the firmware update are a new maximum exposure time of 125 seconds, shutter speed section in bulb mode (with the new firmware, the setting wheel can now be used to select the shutter speeds directly) and a setting option for highlight and shadow level warnings.

Existing camera functions have also been improved in the firmware update FW 1.0.0.24. This applies, for instance, to the histogram display in automatic review mode. This display option has now been enlarged for improved legibility. Furthermore, the update also allows the expansion of memory card compatibility to include 64GB UDMA6 cards and offers additional setting options for the AF/AE memory button. Autofocus precision has increased even more and focusing on very small subject details is, above all, greatly improved now.

Although his method was far from the world of medium format, Cartier-Bresson fused art and editorial in a way that should astonish anyone. Check out the exhibit of his work at MOMA SF if you have a chance in the next few weeks.

http://jamesbmartin.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/cartier-bresson-at-moma-sf/

Sometimes, it’s what doesn’t happen that matters. Our group crossed the Drake Passage twice, taking two days each way. A storm had passed by before we crossed to the Antarctic Peninsula, a 750 mile traversal of what can be the roughest water in the world. Just before we returned, the Clelia,  a luxurious stabilized ship, was disabled when a rogue wave knocked out the window of the bridge, swamping the electronics, disabling their communications, and hurling passengers out of their bunks. Our return was smooth sailing, but two days later the largest storm in decades hit the Drake with waves exceeding 35 feet. Timing is everything.

Good luck followed us as we made our way down toward the Lemaire Channel. We visited gentoo penguin colonies, small groups of chin straps, and a few adelies. For some reason seal sightings were rare, but most of us enjoyed a close encounter with a yawning leopard seal on iceberg. They resemble seagoing Komodo dragons, 1,100 pounds of predator sporting recurved teeth.

The mountainous peninsula is an extension of the Andes and cruising through them is like voyaging through a drowned world. Ice blankets the peaks, and sometimes a solid wall of glacier ice continues unbroken for miles. I shot the northern extreme of the Peninsula with a Leica S2 equipped with 70mm and 180mm lenses. I find it the most intuitive of medium format cameras. It sits well in the hand, the menus are clear and the few buttons well placed. It’s hard to fault the quality of the files. They compare well to 60 megapixel systems despite their relatively “lightweight” 37.5 megapixel sensor. I shot landscapes and and penguins at Half Moon Island and Brown Bluff in sunny and brisk conditions, from the ship handheld and on a tripod on shore. Love it. Unfortunately, my rather beat up loaner seized up on my midway through my day on Brown Bluff. I suspect jarring or moisture damaged the card slot.

The Antarctic Peninsula has suffered more rapid temperature increases than most places in the worlds. The penguin colonies are moving south to avoid muddy conditions that can kill the chicks  before they hatch.  The collapse of the ice shelves is reducing the food supply for wildlife. These changes are not readily apparent to the eye although they are clear via satellite, but over time we will see clearly what is going on even at a human timescale.

This camera resets the price /quality equation. There are a host of legacy Pentax lenses available, many on Ebay for a song, so the cost of entry to the medium format world has dropped.

Mamiya released their latest camera, the RZ22, a 22 megapixel version of their  digital re-imagining of the classic RZ 6×7 medium format camera, the RZ33.  The Press Release follows.

PRESS RELEASE: Mamiya Announces New RZ22 Digital Camera

Elmsford, NY – October 28, 2010 – Mamiya announces today a new RZ digital camera designed to enable professional photographers to utilize the superior flexibility of the open-platform Mamiya RZ system, at an exceptional price. The new RZ22 Digital Camera couples the latest technological improvements of the 22 megapixel, large sensor Mamiya DM digital back with the latest Mamiya RZ67 Pro-IID camera, delivering the same ease-of-use as Mamiya’s popular RZ33 system, all for only $11,499.

“Photographers were thrilled by our introduction of the RZ33 system, and many have indicated that they would like the option of an equally easy to use digital RZ system at a lower price point. The new RZ22 digital camera delivers just that: a powerful large-sensor digital camera delivering superior quality image files with the legendary flexibility of the Mamiya RZ camera system,” said Mamiya Product Marketing Manager Mike Edwards. ”Photographers can even utilize their existing Mamiya RZ system lenses, which are known as some of the sharpest, highest resolution lenses available.”

About the Mamiya RZ22
The Mamiya RZ22 is a new large-sensor digital camera kit combining the high performance 22 megapixel CCD sensor of the Mamiya DM22 digital back with the latest RZ67 Pro-IID camera body, plus a Mamiya Digital Interface kit and focusing screen. With no cables necessary, RZ22 users simply add their favorite razor sharp RZ lens and a CF card, and they are ready to produce large, detailed images at shooting speeds of up to 70 frames-per-minute. The RZ22 leverages the large availability of lenses and accessories from the previous generations of the Mamiya RZ67 family, allowing photographers to utilize premium-level equipment they already own.

Pricing and Availability
The new Mamiya RZ22 digital camera kit, including Capture One and Leaf Capture software, is now available in the U.S. for $11,499, from authorized Mamiya Digital dealers.

Michael Reichmann posted my piece on the using digital medium format gear for subjects usually seen as the province of 35mm such as wildlife and street photography. See:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/you_cant_do_that.shtml