Phase One P65+: Pushing the Limits

Sensor Technology Co-Developed by Phase One and Dalsa

Phase One has a history of firsts in the medium format market. The P65+ is the debut of another major first: through the cooperation of a digital back manufacturer and a sensor manufacturer, Phase One has locked in an indefinite exclusivity on the ground breaking P65+ sensor. Phase One worked closely with Dalsa to develop the technology that makes the P65+ the most advanced digital back in the world. The results can be seen in it’s list of credentials: the largest sensor size, the highest resolution, and the highest dynamic range, 60 frames per minute of throughput, 50-800 ISO and less susceptibility to lens cast and moire. Phase One has exclusive use of this sensor and of these technologies for the indefinite future, making this full-frame 60 megapixel back the undisputed king of the digital back world for the foreseeable future.

Sensor Size

The Phase One P65+ is the only true-full-frame 645 sensor on the market. Measuring 53.9mm x 40.4mm. This is 21% larger in area than the P45+ and 250% of the area of a full-frame 35mm dSLR. This means the sensor now gives full viewfinder coverage for the Mamiya AFD and Phase One AFD camera bodies.

For those counting micrometers (µm) the frame size of the P65+ is 10 µm smaller on the left and right and 5 µm smaller on the top and bottom than a traditional 120 film exposure. See the diagram to the right. This means a 35mm lens when used with a P65+ would be the same image as a 36mm lens when used with 120 film, a negligible difference.

The Highest Resolution

At 60.5 megapixels the P65+ exceeds every other medium format digital back. The native resolution of the chip is 8984×6732 pixels. This produces a 360MB 16-bit-TIFF or a 180MB 8-bit TIFF. Thanks to Phase One’s best-in-class compression methods the P65+ IIQ-Large (lossless) raw file is only 60MB and an IIQ-Small raw file is only 40MB.

The Best Dynamic Range

The P65+ touts 12.5 stops of dynamic range, the largest range of any medium format digital back (and light years ahead of dSLRs). This is perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the technology behind the P65+ and illustrates the amazing technology developed by Phase One and Dalsa for this exclusive offering.

All at 60 Frames per Minute

Helped by four readout points on the sensor, best-in-class compression algorithms, the P65+ is fast! Furthermore the generous 1.3 GB of buffer will be nearly impossible to overshoot, allowing for continuous shooting at 60 frames per minute.

ISO

As with the P25+ and P45+, the P65+ will operate from ISO 50-800. Exclusive to the P65+ is the ability to upgrade in 2009 to higher and cleaner ISOs. Phase One’s continued cooperation with Dalsa will lead to this and other continued image quality advances.

Open Platform

The P65+ is a renewal of Phase One’s commitment to keep medium format solutions open rather than closed. The P65+ will be produced in all of the current mounts including Contax, Hasselblad V, Hasselblad H, Rollei 6000, and Mamiya/Phase-One, and solutions will be provided for nearly all view cameras and technical cameras (see next paragraph). In this case the sensor is produced by Dalsa rather than Kodak as with the other current Phase One digital backs, showing that Phase One is open even in its selection of sensors.

Less Prone to Lens Cast and Moire

The P65+ decreases the effect of lens cast even at extreme lens angles and incredibly reduces the occurrence of moire. This makes it the ideal flexible solution for photographers using view cameras, technical cameras, or tilt/shift lenses.

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Pricing

Prices start $39,990, call for details.

Availability and Preordering

The P65+ will begin shipping in Q4 of 2008. Shipments will be done on a first-deposit, first-delivered basis. More info on the P65+ Buy Now program.

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