Phase One announced yesterday its latest medium format digital camera, namely the Phase One 645DF, that was developed and engineered in collaboration with Mamiya Digital Imaging to provide a superior image quality and major improved ergonomics. The main highlight for the 645DF is the enhanced flash sync speed that now goes up to 1/1600 of a second, therefore making sun overpowering a lot easier with less flash power and allowing photographer to shoot with the lens wide open and play with that shallow depth of field.

“Our patent-pending flash sync breakthrough eases working with wide open apertures and fill-in flash on location,” said Jan H. Christiansen, Phase One marketing director. “We already offer the most flexible exposure times ranging from 1/4000 of a second to one full hour. Setting new performance standards is all about expanding creative options for photographers.”

This is the only 645 series medium format camera that is compatible with both focal plane and leaf shutter, that way expanding the photographer's creative possibilities. Having the possibility of using the two shutter types seamlessly, the user won't stumble upon having to use a lens just as a compromise when not being able to use the one required or desired, as well as the versatility of choosing from any digital backs from Phase One, Leaf, Mamiya and others.

Performance was also improved, from responsiveness to the auto focusing speed, the 645DF is rated for up to five times faster than its predecessor. Besides all that, for the first time, a medium format camera offers the possibility of custom pre-defined mode, where the photographer can instantly set the camera for a given scenario - ie. portrait, landscape. Other enhanced features include new tactile buttons, a fully sealed eye-cup to eliminate ambient light, better viewfinder masks and even customizable audio feedback (ie. focus lock).

Also, along with the release of the 645DF, Phase One announced the availability of three new high-end leaf shutter lenses, a 55mm, 80mm and 110mm, all sporting a 2.8 aperture and developed especially for the Phase One 645DF, in close collaboration with Mamiya and Schneider Kreuznach.

Pricing for the 645DF starts at $5,990 for the body and shipping in Q4 2009, along with the new leaf shutter lenses that have prices starting with $2,490.


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