Bip a Hit: w/ Phase One DF Camera

June 13, 2010 | News, Steve

Recently Capture Integration became dealers for the Match Technical line of products – accessories for (primarily) Leica M9, M8, and other Leica rangefinder cameras.

www.matchtechnical.com

The products consist of a variety of shoe-attached thumb rests, cold shoe expansion units, and shutter release convex and concave buttons. We’ve already sold some of these accessories to our Leica clients. I have to say I like the vibe of the company and the products seem well crafted.

However, I was curious about the release buttons for a different product: The Phase One DF Camera. Traditionally, the Mamiya 645 shutter release has a different feel than many cameras. Rather than a short path click, the Mamiya 645 camera has a longer throw press. Meaning the total distance travelled from top of the release to bottom of the release is further than some cameras. Add in an inconsistent release point and a lag in the response time, and it’s easy to see how users were frustrated.

As many know, the Phase One DF has numerous improvements over the previous Mamiya/Phase One generation 645 bodies. One of those improvements concerns the shutter lag. The Phase One DF shortens the release path, makes the release point more consistent within that path, and dramatically reduces the lag. In comparing various Mamiya models with the newest Phase One DF, I could feel a dramatic improvement.

But the Match Technical Bip caught my eye as a possible enhancement to the Phase One DF. I had a theory that screwing a Bip into the Phase One DF release socket would somehow reduce the above and below throw of the release path even further. In practice, it turns out my theory was correct. Besides myself, I’ve had two other photographers try it with and without and both overwhelmingly preferred the DF with the Bip.

In addition to enhancing the feel of the release, it also, by raising the pressure of the release off the camera, reduces shake from the release push of your finger. The Bip costs $18. I can’t imagine any DF user not preferring it.  Call us today and order one for your Phase One DF.

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New and Old Canon 70-200/2.8 IS

April 1, 2010 | News, Steve, Tech Features, Tips & Tech

I did a quick comparison of the new Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS Version II vs the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS Version II

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I was told the new IS technology provides up to 4 stops hand-holdability. I thought, yeah, right. So, I zoomed to 200mm, set it 1/15th of a second and shot it alongside our Version I. Color me convinced! We ordered a bunch on the spot. If anyone wants one, a phone call and deposit puts you at the front of the line.

High resolution 100% crops after the break.

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Phase One P40+ vs 5DMKII: ISO 800

March 30, 2010 | News, Steve, Tips & Tech

For some time, I’ve wondered how the Phase One P40+ would handle high ISO in the Sensor Plus mode. In Sensor Plus mode, the P40+ produces a 10 megapixel file (40 megapixels at normal full rez mode). The Phase One P65+ also utilizes Sensor Plus technology and produces a 15 megapixel file in Sensor Plus mode (60 megapixels at normal full rez mode). I decided to do a basic comparison with my Canon 5DMKII at ISO 800. No adjustments have been made to these images other than white balance off the right arm of the white sweater.

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I have to say I was surprised at the results. While I expected good results, I didn’t expect the P40+ to rival the 5DMKII, but that is just what it did. Very similar results, if even a little more natural looking to my eye in favor of the P40+. This gives users a very flexible system that is capable of producing 35mm DSLR-equivalent image quality at high ISO. The beauty is that if light changes (either by choice or not), there is no need to change cameras and lenses, but instead, with the push of a button, you can continue shooting medium format, shooting with the same lenses and covering the same size sensor (no sensor crop when using Sensor Plus).

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Interestingly, though taken at virtually the same exposure, the P40+ file appeared about a third stop more sensitive than the 5DMKII file.

100% crops after the jump.

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I never believed this would happen

February 8, 2010 | Steve

By Steve Hendrix, Capture Integration Sales Manager Atlanta

I can’t believe I have to say this. But I like the Phase One  DF camera. I would use the Phase One DF camera. This is no small feat. For years, I have sold the Hasselblad H camera system as the best and most usable medium format digital camera system available. I tried – really hard – to like the Phase One AF camera, an updated version of the Mamiya AFD III, which was an update from the Mamiya AFD II, which was an update from the Mamiya AFD, which….well, you get the point.

The problem was that these upgrades put the their stamp on incremental. There was no “Ah, yes” moment. Instead, there was “Well, it’s a little better”. I am very happy and frankly quite surprised that when I first used the Phase One DF camera, I had an “Ah, yes” moment. I never thought this would happen.

That it took this long to happen is a bummer. But it is here and it’s an important product for those who prefer Phase One or Leaf digital backs (or even Hasselblad digital back users, as it remains an open digital platform, accepting of all). Most of the rental houses in the world stock Phase One or Leaf digital backs with Hasselblad H1 or H2 cameras and that combination is what gets rented the most. But sticking with Phase One or Leaf has its penalties on the Hasselblad H platform, as compatibility does not exist for non-Hasselblad digital product users with the HC28mm and HC35-90mm lenses.

No matter, now there is a camera that matches (or even exceeds) the responsiveness of the Hasselblad H series and it is the Phase One DF. The auto focus performance is accurate and quick, the shutter is responsive without noticeable delay. Further, for those who have experienced the first Phase One AF camera, the fit and finish on the DF feels much, much nicer. The material is similar to that of the Phase One AF (1st Gen P1), but while still retaining a firm grippiness, it has a smoother finish that has a nice quality look and feel to it. And the exterior grip material now doesn’t appear as if it was just glued on to the body.

For me, it’s a camera that I can now comfortably and confidently shoot with, and I have access to 28mm lenses, Schneider Leaf Shutter lenses, Hasselblad CF and FE lenses, and old Mamiya lenses, including 300/2.8, 80mm/1.9, 50mm T/S, and all kinds of good stuff. There is also an announced vertical grip, which will use either AA batteries or the same battery as the Phase One digital backs, though we have yet to see this product.

Many others have caught on to the good vibes from this camera. As a high volume Phase One dealer,  we have a large backlog of orders, and Phase One is slowly fulfilling them. Hang in there. It will be worth the wait….as long as it’s not too much longer….

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I got your Mini View Cameras!

January 7, 2010 | News, Steve

Today we opened some fabulous packages which included an Arca Swiss M2 MF and a Linhof Techno (the first in the country). I was amazed at the size and weight of these new products. Mini View Cameras have been around for a while, but these 2 new products take the category into an even more compact direction.

Just for fun, I put together several generations of view cameras: Sinar P 4×5, Arca Swiss M2 Monolith, Arca Swiss M2 MF, Linhof Techno. For perspective, I weighed all 4 cameras:

• 10.3 lbs – Sinar P
• 9.85 lbs - Arca Swiss M2 Monolith
• 5.35 lbs – Arca Swiss M2 MF
• 4.15 lbs – Linhof Techno

The Arca Swiss M2 MF has shift, rise/fall on the rear standard, orbix tilt and swing on the front. The Linhof has rise/fall on the rear standard, shift, swing and tilt on the front. By limiting proprietary movements to specific standards rather than the same movement options on both front and back standards, weight and bulk is dramatically decreased. Gearing is precise and ideal for digital. The M2 MF provides a turn lock next to the focus gear while the Techno has a friction adjuster lever for the focus gear underneath camera.

The machining and fit/finish on both cameras live up to the reputations that Linhof and Arca Swiss have carved out for themselves. Both cameras for the most part are able to accept accessories like legacy lens boards and behave very modularly. An intersting aspect of the Techno is that it can accept 6008 series Rollei lenses with the use of the Rollei Electronic Shutter (similar to how the Rollei Xact 2 does the same).

For those who have been considering products like the  Cambo Wide RS or Arca Swiss RM3D, the Linhof Techno and Arca Swiss M2 MF offer a compelling alternative for those who want a little more flexibility (sliding back, longer lenses) without sacrificing bulk and weight.

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LaCie 4Big Quadras

November 20, 2009 | News, Steve

Capture Integration sells LaCie

Capture Integration is now an authorized Value Add dealer for LaCie products. Included in the LaCie product line are the 4Big Quadra RAID boxes. These are very sophisticated yet user friendly 4 drive enclosures that come in standard 2TB, 4TB, 6TB and 8TB configurations and can be scaled to 32TB’s.

The 4Big Quadras utilize a quiet, fanless cooling system, offer 7 configurable RAID modes at the flick of a switch, and burst transfer rates up to 230MB/s.The drives are hot swappable and are capable of rebuilding without interrupting operation, meaning they can rebuild while you continue to use the drives.

Why LaCie?

There are numerous hard drive manufacturers and many hard drive solution providers. At Capture Integration our primary objective is providing the best performing solutions to our customers that also provide the best response to customer issues. As a Value Add Dealer for LaCie, Capture Integration has direct line access to advanced (upper tier) technical support, and issues and turnaround are handled expediently as a result.

Also, LaCie is not a fly‐by‐night company. Their primary target markets are users of high end storage and high end displays. They are a well‐established, successful company that will be here tomorrow. And the products have become increasingly reliable and sophisticated.

Your Storage Strategy

Capture Integration specializes in assisting photographers with clear, executable storage and backup strategies. RAID plays a very important part in that. One of the primary benefits to RAID is improved reliability. RAID 6 is capable of withstanding simultaneous 2 drive failures. And RAID technology allows higher capacity than individual drives. This means an easier workflow for backing up. With fewer drives, a better workflow is easier to manage.

Larger drive solutions with more available capacity read/write faster than a smaller drive which has less remaining room on the drive. The LaCie RAID solutions offer premium read/write performance, and many photographers use them as primary working drives. In short, more capacity means more free space, fewer drives to manage, and better performance and easier backup as a result.

Find Out More

Contact Capture Integration to discuss your current storage/backup strategy and let us help you in improving efficiency, reliability, performance, and ease of use.

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Steve’s 1st Blog at Capture Integration

September 10, 2009 | Steve

So I decided to eat at Bobby & Junes Country Cooking in Atlanta on 14th street today for lunch despite the fact they pull together the BBQ sandwiches with bare fingers – does that make me a wussie? Anyway, it’s always delicious as long as you don’t peer into the kitchen prep area.

I’m very happy to be at Capture Integration, we’ve been friendly competitors over the years and it’s natural to join forces. Capture Integration values superlative service to customers, and I wouldn’t work anywhere that didn’t. Known for specializing on the Phase One product line, we actually sell and specialize on many products, ProFoto and Elinchrom lighting, Eizo & LaCie monitors, Arca Swiss and Cambo technical cameras, LaCie RAID storage systems and more.

What is especially gratifying is that we are now Leaf authorized dealers. My preference has always been to offer my customers a choice and together arrive at the best fit for them. By offering Phase One digital backs as well as Leaf digital backs, I can continue in this mode. I have years of experience selling Leaf solutions. I have immense respect for Leaf, having traveled to Tel Aviv in 2007 and visited with the principals of the company at their headquarters. I saw lots of talent and integrity. The product itself has always been outstanding.

Leaf products offer many attributes:

*Outstanding image quality

*Range of resolutions from 22MP – 56MP

*Bluetooth option for handheld devices

*In camera cropping (Aptus II 10)

*Fast, continuous capture

*The widest CCD sensor available, 56mm x 36mm (Aptus II 10)

*Raw format compatibility: Leaf Capture, Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe Lightroom, Apple Aperture, Raw Developer, Silky Pix

If interested in Leaf, call us.

I intend to maintain regular posts, including updates on new and useful products to our customers. Part of the fun of working at Capture Integration is being able to evaluate and recommend products which are not well known, but turn out to be valuable little finds.

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Steve Hendrix Joins the Team

July 30, 2009 | News, Steve

Capture Integration is proud to announce that it has hired medium format veteran Steve Hendrix.

Steve has devoted over 10 years to helping photographers get the best results possible through his frank and knowledgeable grasp of the industry and the products that help photographers achieve their goals and objectives. Steve has worked for Sinar, Imacon and Phase One, and spent time at the dealer level selling all of the top products available to photographers. While he specializes in high end digital capture, he also has an advanced background in color management as well as storage and archival workflows. He most enjoys the feeling that comes from exceeding clients expectations.

Steve has a wonderful family that includes his lovely wife Rachel, beautiful daughter Catherine and her son Chandler. He also owns 7 cats and a dog. The dog gets along fine with the cats – they love him. Do the cats get along with each other? Not so much. Steve spends much of his spare time on photography and he has no lack of subjects.

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