FAQ: A Beginner's Guide to Buying Medium Format

New or CI Certified Digital Backs?

Buy New [P+ series and IQ Series]:

The technology in the P+ series of backs is the cutting edge of quality in digital imaging. Compared to the P series, the P+ series offers nearly unlimited buffer depth, brighter and higher resolution LCDs, and an increased ISO range, including cleaner files at every ISO. For the demanding photographer, the P+ series offers the highest quality digital imaging on the market.

CI Certified Back

Capture Integration is one of the largest Phase One dealers in the world. We receive numerous digital backs when clients upgrade to a new digital back. We are in a unique position to fully inspect and refurbish the back and warranty it. We also keep a large inventory of “demo” backs used for demonstration and internal training, and occasionally offer those backs to the public when rotating to new “demo” inventory. The price of a CI Certified back will vary based on its technology, physical condition, shot count, and the duration of the remaining warranty. A list of our current CI Certified Digital Pre-Owned Digital Backs is kept in our eStore, but we suggest you contact us directly for the most up-to-date information including backs we are expecting to receive and certify in the near future.

-

What’s the Difference between P and P+ Digital Backs

The P series of Phase One backs are frequently available in our inventory of CI Certified Pre-Owned Digital Backs. The P series are an excellent option for photographers who do not need the increased buffer, brighter and higher resolution LCD, increased long exposure capabilities, and increased ISO range of the P+ series backs. Other small differences between the P+ and P series include a real-time exposure-length counter on the P+ series during long exposures, and support for higher capacity and faster CF cards.

-

What Comes with a Phase One Purchase

Phase One offers two types of warranties on its digital backs. The Classic 1-Year Warranty provides parts/service coverage for 1 year. The Value-AddedWarranty extends this warranty, and adds extra accessories, and a replacement-unit program. CI Certified Pre-Owned digital backs come with all new accessories and a 6-month warranty but details of which accessories will vary – please contact us for details.

-

On Which Cameras Can I Use a Phase One Back?

Phase One is dedicated to providing open platform digital backs. Although there are several platforms/cameras which are more commonly used with a Phase One digital back, there are solutions available for a very wide variety of large and medium format camera systems.

The Five Phase One Mounts

Large Format Compatibility

Any of these mounts can be used with a large variety of 4×5, 6×9 and specialty large format cameras. These include but are not limited to Cambo, Sinar, Linhof, Horeseman, Arca Swiss, and Toyo, and Fuji. Of particular interest are the new breed of digital large format cameras such as the Cambo Wide DS and Arca Swiss RM3Di. These systems are made specifically for use with digital backs instead of film. These cameras are often used for landscape, architectural, and interior photography because of their incredible wide-angle lens quality.

-

Can I Lease a Digital Back?

We can provide a 3, 4, or 5 year lease, drastically lowering the entry cost to high-end equipment. We can arrange either an Equipment Finance Agreement (EFA) or traditional lease. In both cases, you fully own the equipment at the end of the lease. With an EFA, the full purchase price can be written off as an expense the first year. With a traditional lease, the monthly payments are available as a write-off for the duration of the lease. Call us for more information.

Do You Accept Trade-ins?

Of course! One of the greatest parts of medium format digital ownership is the equipment holds its value longer than its 35mm brethren. Capture Integration welcomes all digital cameras and backs as trade-ins. Call us for an estimate of the value of your trade-in.