Moyen-Format Phase One P65+

PHASE ONE - PRESS RELEASE - 14.07.2008

Phase One Announces World’s First Full Frame 645 Medium Format Camera System, based on Breakthrough Sensor Technology

Phase One A/S today announced the P 65+ digital back and the P 65+ camera system based on Sensor+ CCD technology co-developed with DALSA Semiconductor. This patentpending, Sensor+ technology represents a significant advancement in image capture. The chip platform offers the most demanding photographers upgradeable CCD functions, ensuring a longer lifespan for their digital back investments.

“Photographers need real reasons to upgrade past 39 Megapixel digital backs,” said Henrik Håkonsson, CEO of Phase One. “Real value includes higher resolution but also requires new functions, faster operation, higher quality through expanded sensitivity, increased dynamic range, better results in the studio or on location and a better longer-term investment. I believe we are able to achieve this and more with our Sensor+ technology.”

Improvements and upgrades based on Sensor+ technology have been designed to enable:

• Scaleable pixel and file size
• Higher sensitivity & dynamic range
• Increased flexibility for operation and capture
• Improved capture rates

The P 65+ digital back and the P 65+ camera system are fully upgradeable, based on advancements in the chip technology, providing a competitive advantage through enhanced performance and new functions as well as a lower overall cost of operation. Such improvements have previously been available only at the cost of new chips and hardware. The Phase One P 65+ is the first digital back and camera system to take advantage of the new Sensor+ design and is the world’s first fullframe capture system based on actual 645 film format. The P 65+ provides the largest live capture area available with coverage of 53.9mm x 40.4mm – enabling full viewfinder coverage thus no need for lens magnification. “What you see is what you get.” The P 65+ sensor format provides 20 percent more live area compared to 39 or 50 Megapixel, 48mm x 36mm chips currently delivering or announced. Sensor resolution is 60.5 Megapixel with 8984 x 6732 active pixels achieving 180 MB, 8 bit RGB files. In addition to offering the industry’s largest live capture area and highest resolution, the P 65+ offers captures at 1 frame per second, reduction of Moiré artifacts, next generation Lens+ & Focus+ technologies and an unprecedented 12.5 f-stops of dynamic range.

Pricing and Availability : More technical details and demonstrations of Sensor+ technology will be available at the Photokina trade show in September 2008. Camera shipments with P 65+ digital back are expected to begin in Q4 2008. The P 65+ digital back starts at $39,900; the P 65+ camera system starts at $41,990. Advance orders are available now. For more information please contact sales@phaseone.com

All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Phase One Releases Capture One 4-1

Breakthrough Capture One 4.1 features tethered shooting with Phase One digital backs. The application introduces image-enhancing Lens+ and Focus+ technologies, initially supported on “Mamiya”-mounted Phase One digital backs with selected Phase One and Mamiya lenses. Capture One 4.1 camera support now includes Mamiya ZD, ZD Back, Canon 450D/Rebel XSi, Nikon D60, Pentax K20D, K200D, K110D, K100D Super and Sony models DSLR-A350, DSLR-A300, DSLR-A200. The application is now available in 9 languages; other highlights include Hot Folder functionality (permits images shot with third-party applications to automatically appear in Capture One). For all cameras and files supported, see: phaseone.com/4 Capture One 4.1 is available today free to existing Capture One 4 users: see phaseone.com/4. The software is available to new users for a 30-day free trial, and the purchase price is 129 USD / 99 EUR. Capture One 4 PRO is expected later this year.

Phase One Updates Capture One 4.1

Capture One 4.1 is being previewed at Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo this week at the launch of the companies’ new open medium format digital camera platform. The update to Phase One’s raw workflow software includes support for the high quality 22 mega pixels Mamiya ZD camera and digital back. This support is a commitment to the strategic alliance between Phase One and Mamiya Digital Imaging. Capture One 4.1 will also include two new technologies initially available for Phase One digital backs, built on Phase One’s expertise in digital backs and testing with a selection of Mamiya lenses. Lens+ technology is designed to provide photographers with a superior out-of-the-box solution for removing lens artifacts in images. Not only will lens artifacts like chromatic aberration and fringing be heavily reduced, but at the same time image texture and color fidelity are expected to achieve a previously unseen level – resulting in amazing sharp and vibrant images. A new standard of image sharpness will be introduced through use of Focus+ technology engineered to enhance performance of the full Mamiya 645AFD lens range, enabling a new level of sharpness and resolution. Perfect pixel definition will optimize the basis for high quality image rendering and extreme scaling. These technologies will be expanded to cover a broader range of lenses in the near future. Fashion photographers who demand high resolution, high capture rates and instant high quality previews for evaluation of image composition, exposure, and focus will enjoy the fastest ever tethered shooting functionality in Capture One 4.1. Image transfer and preview generation will be virtually instantaneous with Phase One backs, even with resolutions up to 39 mega pixels. “We are committed to offering professional photographers the choice that best suits them in achieving ultimate image quality,” said Jan H. Christiansen, Marketing Director. “Capture One is engineered to support the most rigorous imaging demands for the widest range of operating conditions and equipment.” Capture One 4.1, is a free update to all Capture One customers, will be available for download beginning with volume production shipments of the new Phase One 645 Camera platform, expected Q2, 2008.

Phase One Mamiya co-developed Platform

Phase One and Mamiya Digital Imaging unveiles the world’s most flexible, open medium format digital camera platform. Known as the Phase One 645 Camera or the Mamiya 645AFDIII, the co-developed platform will be sold exclusively by Phase One and Mamiya respectively. The camera platform answers the calls of professional photographers for a modular system that offers unprecedented feature combinations, and most significantly the freedom to choose individual components from an open platform to best serve their working needs. Designed to accept all quality digital camera backs, the camera platform is also open for traditional film operation. It offers the widest choice of high-end lenses, including the complete Mamiya 645 lens range, the new 28mm aspherical and D series lenses, as well as Hasselblad V-lenses and Pentacon Six lenses. It is designed to achieve shutter speeds from 1/4000 sec. to 60 min. The camera features an ergonomic molded grip and provides direct control of critical camera settings using manual dials -- both of which are essential elements for the professional photographer engaged in day long hand-held shooting sessions. “Phase One and Mamiya have taken the first step in delivering a unique approach to designing camera systems,” said Henrik Hakonsson, CEO of Phase One. “We believe that equipment interoperability and personal choice are integral values in realizing the highest quality imaging results. Furthermore we have invested heavily in optimizing all elements of the camera systems reliability to maximize the photographers’ time for shooting extraordinary images.” “Mamiya and Phase One are consolidating our expertise and fulfilling our ambitions to provide the products desired by our customers,” said Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, CEO of Mamiya Digital Imaging. “We will continue to cooperate and work hard to ensure that future camera systems are limited only by the imagination and desires of the artists that use them.” The first pre-production units will be demonstrated this week at the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo. Full technical details, including system component options will be provided at the start of volume production shipments, expected in QY2.

Phase One at Photokina 2008

Photokina 2008: Phase One is demonstrating the following products that will ship in volume during Q4 2008 -- Booth B1, Hall 4.2.

SENSOR+ TECHNOLOGY

The Phase One P 65+ operates at a capture rate of up to 1 frame per second with a resolution of 60.5 MP resolution and the industry’s largest live capture area (53.9mm x 40.4). It offers a sensitivity range from 50 to 1600 ISO. Intelligent image compression technology (IIQ) produces choice of small 40 MB or large 60 MB RAW files. Built into the P 65+, Sensor+ technology offers a capture mode by which photographers can “dial down” to 15 MP resolution (pixel size 12 x 12 microns) and gain an ISO range of 100 to 1600 with smaller file sizes (ranging from small 10 MB to large 15 MB RAW files) for faster post processing.

CAPTURE ONE 4 PRO

Newly architected Capture One 4 PRO allows photographers to enhance and develop RAW digital files with excellent color and detail reproduction. This application enables you to customize your menu, building the interface and custom palettes that best suit your work style or situation.

New or enhanced features include:

- Lens enhancement tools solve distortion, sharpness falloff, light falloff and can produce customizable vignetting for creative effects.

- Selective Color provides an intuitive toolset for customizing image colors to perfection.

- With the all-new Skin Tone tool photographers can easily set and reproduce skin tones shot under a variety of light conditions even without using a gray card.

- A redesigned Styles feature enables photographers to explore and create unique “looks” and to reproduce them consistently with ease.

Capture One and Expression Media software are being demonstrated together at the Microsoft booth Hall 04.1 Stand H049 G031.

NEW LENS RANGE

In addition to the Phase One 3.5/45 mm Tilt-Shift lens introduced earlier this month, Phase One is announcing a new lineup of high-quality lenses optimized for high resolution digital capture, including : 28mm f4.5, 45mm f2.8, 80mm f2.8, 120mm f4.0, 150mm f2.8, 75-150mm f4.5 zoom. Thesel enses are supported by the industry’s most comprehensive, advanced warranty and support program. Phase One is also demonstrating a new 80 mm leafshutter lens, vertical grip, and additional accessories for the Phase One 645 camera system.

Pricing and Availability

• Phase One P 65+ digital camera systems are expected in Q4 2008. The P 65+ digital back starts at 39,900 USD, 29.990 EUR ; the P 65+ camera system starts at 41,990 USD, 31.990 EUR.
• Capture One PRO customers can upgrade to Capture One 4 PRO at no extra cost. For new customers, it is 399 USD and 299 EUR through Phase One’s e-shop. Capture One PRO release is planned for October 15, 2008.
• Volume shipments of lenses will begin Q4 2008.

All brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Capture One 4 Raw workflow software

Phase One Delivers Capture One 4 - It Next-Generation RAW Workflow Software Built on a new architecture, the successor to Phase One’s entry-level Capture One LE offers photographers – pros and enthusiasts alike – a RAW workflow solution for superior image quality. A newly designed user interface offers high fidelity color and detail reproduction, plus new timesaving workflow features. Capture One 4 supports medium-format digital backs and a wide range of DSLR cameras. “Our recent survey of professional photographers shows that pros have fully adopted digital and RAW format, with 89 percent of total images now being captured digitally and over 50 percent of them in RAW format,” said Ed Lee, Director at InfoTrends. “Capture One excels at RAW workflow,” said Jan H. Christiansen, marketing director for Phase One. “Today, it is no less an art to develop digital images than to process film in the darkroom. Ours is not an ‘end-to-end’ solution, but devoted to helping photographers achieve the highest quality from the images they have captured.” - Capture One 4 invokes more consistent use of shortcuts, tools and naming. - It is compatible with many other popular applications; for example, users can have a seamless workflow with Capture One to process RAW files and Adobe Photoshop to post process images. - New user interface offers maximum space for the images. - Images, not sliders and controls, are the focus. - A darker background permits easier image viewing and enhancements. - As with previous generations of Capture One, a guided workflow is available to assist the photographer in the image enhancement process; - View and work with up to 12 images simultaneously at full resolution; - Multiple Variants of a single RAW image can be made with virtually no disk and performance overhead; - Manage and transfer license codes, so Capture One 4 can be used on one computer one day and on another computer the next. - Recover details in highlights and shadows with high dynamic range control; - Import and export images in DNG format, for more options to share and archive; - Powerful new shortcut architecture allows faster image import, adjustment and processing Capture One 4 is available for 129 USD and 99 EUR.

Phase One - Mamiya - Strategic Alliance

Phase One and Mamiya forms strategic alliance to develop innovative, open platform-based medium format digital camera systems and solutions for professional photographers The alliance builds on both Mamiya and Phase One’s medium format technology expertise and deep understanding of the uncompromising demands of the modern professional photography market. The agreement includes technology-sharing and intellectual property assets as well as sales and marketing co-operation. The first new camera system will be introduced in the first quarter of 2008. “Phase One and Mamiya together are committed to equipping photographers with what they need to surpass even their most passionate visions and enjoy the process,” said Henrik Hakonsson, CEO of Phase One. “Phase One is committed to open modular systems thus supporting photographers’ full freedom of choice.” “With this alliance, Mamiya and Phase One together are ushering in a new chapter for photographers,” said Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, CEO of Mamiya Digital Imaging. “As a team, we have access to all the software and hardware competences which are needed to further develop unique digital camera solutions in the coming years, including new feature combinations not in the market today.”

Phase One Microsoft Strategic Alliance

Microsoft and Phase One Form Strategic Alliance to Improve Digital Photography Solutions Microsoft Corp and Phase One will work together to develop solutions for the Microsoft Windows platform that further innovation in the digital photography space. The alliance combines Phase One’s industry expertise with Microsoft’s widely used platform technology and includes technology sharing and intellectual property assets as well as joint marketing. “Microsoft and Phase One are joining forces to develop solutions for the Windows platform that meet the sophisticated needs of professional and ‘prosumer’ photographers,” said Kostas Mallios, general manager of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft. “Today’s announcement is another example of Microsoft’s commitment to our customers and the digital imaging industry.” Microsoft has a strong record of making investments in digital imaging technology for Windows Vista, HD Photo, Photosynth, Digital Image Suite and other products that provide superior solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. The alliance builds on Microsoft’s focus in the digital imaging market by ensuring that professional-quality tools for the Windows platform are accessible enough for enthusiasts. Phase One has a deep knowledge of the industry, having built software that streamlines the image-capture and post-production process for 14 years. “Professional photographers are always looking for ways to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of the computer,” said Henrik Hakonsson, CEO of Phase One. “At the same time, enthusiasts want professional-quality tools but don’t want to be bogged down with features and functions they won’t use. We believe our combined expertise in digital imaging technology will help address these unmet needs to the benefit of our digital back customers and our digital SLR software customers.” Related Post Phase One and Mamiya Digital Imaging Strategic Alliance

Portable Photography with Digital Benefits - Henrik Hakonsson Point of View

PMA 2003 - Phase One announces a wide range of portable solutions. Henrik Hakonsson, CEO at Phase One states: “Portability is one of the buzzwords in our business today. However, ‘being portable’ is much more than just memory cards and cables. It is about providing a digital solution that helps the professional photographer to carry out his work on location WHILE benefiting from the great advantages that digital photography provides! This is very important to keep in mind!” Henrik Hakonsson also remarks that location work can be expensive: Travelling expenses, model salaries, equipment leasing. For this money clients require perfect pictures. And perfect pictures require flexible solutions. On location you face several challenges, most of them you would never have to worry about in a controlled studio environment. There are four basic requirements that must be met in order to fully benefit from shooting digitally on location: 1. The ability to validate the image quality (exposure, focus, grey balance) as well as the subject (expression, distance, angle). 2. Unlimited storage capacity. 3. Easy camera handling and freedom of movement. 4. Maximum productivity from capture to final image. A fashion photographer would prioritize these requirements differently from a nature photographer. However, whether photographer feel preview capabilities are more important than complete portability, the important point is that he should not compromise. “Most suppliers of portable solutions focus on portability and freedom of movement. Good argument! However, what about making sure the image is in the box? Your clients pay for perfect pictures not wireless cameras. With film you did a polaroid, with Phase One you look at the raw file on a detailed 6.4” high resolution screen or as an extra security the image is processed at review in Adobe Photoshop®. The software enables you to quickly check focus, set the grey balance and make sure that the entire composition is okay.” Henrik Hakonsson remarks. Computers are easy to bring on location, which is why it is possible to focus on the advantages of two component solutions: Today you can store up to a 1,000 images on a 20 GB hard disk on the world’s smallest full blown computers. The capture software gives audio warnings if the exposure is off. The 6,4” monitor provides user with the very best preview options. And by attaching a tiny Vaio U3 computer to Phase One’s very handy belt solution photographer can climb ladders, rocks or walk on beaches without even noticing the computer. “Our portable philosophy is to never limit ourselves in term of technology. We want to move forward all the time and continue to test new hardware components. As soon as these comply with our requirements and more importantly the photographer’s: Ease of use, flexible connectivity and intuitive workflow, we have a brand new portable solution”. “You can even bring Phase One’s award-winning workflow software with you if you prefer shooting with your Nikon’s or Canon’s PRO DSLR camera. We have portable solutions for all photographic applications: 1. Working with crew: Phase One camera back, G4 titanium and advanced Capture workflow software. 2. Working alone: Phase One camera back, belt solution with Vaio U3 and advanced Capture One workflow software. 3. Nikon/Canon PRO DSLR cameras and advanced Capture One workflow software. All of these solutions can be combined anyway you prefer in order to fulfil your personal needs. That’s what we call flexibility!” - Henrik Hakonsson.