Phase One buys Leaf

[Von Thomas]

I was not too surprised when I learned that the battle for positioning in the medium format digital still backs has taken another prisoner.

Phase One announced that they were taking over Leafs Digital back division. Kodak had owned them for the past 3 years but since Phase One has become the dominate force in that market, it was only a matter of time.

Phase One has also taken over Mamiya, and it seems only Hasselblad and Sinar are left to do battle with Phase. It's only a matter of time, before Hasselblad also sells to Phase, IMO. Sinar has never really had a market share as their product, software and their marketing never had the legs that Phase One had.

The only question is, is Phase going to enter the motion area with all they have. If so, it might get interesting.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Phase makes some mean cameras, but I doubt very much that Hassy would ever sale to them or anyone else for that matter, they are as strong company and have a great relation ship with their customers (not even as close as RED but nonetheless a great one).

Their new H3DII-50 is an absolute fantastic machine, and the new 60 is just as incredibly amazing in their upgrades, which will have the Hassy community shake for it, the upgrade plan is truly a great one, and it must be so cause of the speed in which it came announced so soon after the release of the 50.

The only reason that I haven't gone to Hassy is because after speaking with the Usa director, Jim announced the Epic 645, for which I'm very looking forward to it.

Phase has absolutely a stunning power of resolve but the new Kodak sensors on the Hassy is just formidable, especially at 50 mega pixel the only thing that I wish was different are the lens selection, and this is an other reason I'm truly looking for the Epic 645 and the RPP.

I really want to be able to take pics with a much greater dept.



ciao

 

[Von Thomas]

Their new H3DII-50 is an absolute fantastic machine, and the new 60 is just as incredibly amazing in their upgrades, which will have the Hassy community shake for it, the upgrade plan is truly a great one, and it must be so cause of the speed in which it came announced so soon after the release of the 50.

After watching Imacon become Hasselblad, Leaf and Phase battle it out, the winner came back with Phase. Yeah, Hasselblad may have something now (past few years their product fell short), but too little too late. Most pros in New York and LA, and around the world, have chosen Phase. I was a player in the digital capture market for the past 11 years, and the leaders were alway Phase and Leaf, and Leaf slipped out of the running two years ago, Hassleblad / Imacom, were a distant third. That said, there is only so much market, my friends at B&H confirm that. So Hassy may hang for a minute, but I predict Phase make buy them down the line.

I think Hassys big mistake was to prioritize their latest camera body (H3), making them useless to all but Hassy digital and film backs. That move cut a lot of revenue.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

After watching Imacon become Hasselblad, Leaf and Phase battle it out, the winner came back with Phase. Yeah, Hasselblad may have something now (past few years their product fell short), but too little too late. Most pros in New York and LA, and around the world, have chosen Phase. I was a player in the digital capture market for the past 11 years, and the leaders were alway Phase and Leaf, and Leaf slipped out of the running two years ago, Hassleblad / Imacom, were a distant third. That said, there is only so much market, my friends at B&H confirm that. So Hassy may hang for a minute, but I predict Phase make buy them down the line.

I think Hassys big mistake was to prioritize their latest camera body (H3), making them useless to all but Hassy digital and film backs. That move cut a lot of revenue.

Just my 2 cents.

Yes Von, on this we agreed, unfortunately the market it is what it is, and starting form the lenses, I was not happy, but at this point I have stopped all further planned purchases for a Medium Format camera and gear, as I will use the 1Ds III till the Epic 654, I just hope that lenses will be right up with the camera.

ciao

 

[Dominic Jones]

It would certainly be a real shame if Hasselblad sold to anyone.

By which I mean emotionally, if nothing else - Hasselblad represent a culture of craftsmanship and expertise rarely seen these days... I still have an old 500c/m body that is just the most beautiful camera and still takes the most amazing pictures - a Zeiss lens on 6x6 velvia is absolutely something else, in my opinion. It is without a doubt, as an object in and of itself, my favourite camera of all time...

Sorry, I know that's hardly relevant for working stills professionals today, but I had to have a little nostalgia moment!

Cheers,
Dom.

 

[D Fuller]

I have that same feeling about my Contax 645. What a brilliantly-designed camera. Any chance those lenses will work on an Epic?

 

[Dominic Jones]

Can't see why not - although you may need to get a custom mount built (hopefully warranty issues will be minimised in the new design), and you will need to think about modifying your lenses for compatibility a with follow focus and probably removal of the click-stops...

Other than that, should work fine. I'm tempted by the 645 body with my beautiful Zeiss/Hasselblad glass too, but I'm going to stick to FF35 for the meantime, and perhaps treat myself to a 645 if I get a big job and feel rich!

Cheers,
Dom.