Phase One & Mamiya Unveil Medium Format Digital Camera

Thank god for 24 hour news cycles and multiple time zones. Though it's late on the East Coast of the US of A, things are apparently hoppin' over in Tokyo, Japan where Phase One & Mamiya have announced the results of their strategic alliance in the form of a jointly-developed "medium format digital camera platform." Called either the Phase One 645 Camera or the Mamiya 645AFDIII -- depending on whether you're friends of the bride or friends of the groom -- the camera was announced at the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo tonight...or tomorrow...or whatever day it is over there right now.

We don't know a lot about the camera other than what's in the press release (available after the jump) but hope to talk to some Phase One and/or Mamiya folks in the coming days to get you the full scoop. Until then, here's a pic of the camera's rear end.

Phase One and Mamiya Digital Imaging Introduce the World’s
Most Flexible Open Medium Format Digital Camera Platform

           Platform designed for more flexibility, higher quality system options

PHOTO IMAGING EXPO, TOKYO, 19 March 2008 — Phase One A/S and Mamiya Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. today unveiled the world’s most flexible, open medium format digital camera platform.  Known as the Phase One 645 Camera or the Mamiya 645AFDIII, the co-developed platform will be sold exclusively by Phase One and Mamiya respectively.

The camera platform answers the calls of professional photographers for a modular system that offers unprecedented feature combinations, and most significantly the freedom to choose individual components from an open platform to best serve their working needs.

Designed to accept all quality digital camera backs, the camera platform is also open for traditional film operation. It offers the widest choice of high-end lenses, including the complete Mamiya 645 lens range, the new 28mm aspherical and D series lenses, as well as Hasselblad V-lenses and Pentacon Six lenses. It is designed to achieve shutter speeds from 1/4000 sec. to 60 min. The camera features an ergonomic molded grip and provides direct control of critical camera settings using manual dials -- both of which are essential elements for the professional photographer engaged in day-long hand-held shooting sessions.

“Phase One and Mamiya have taken the first step in delivering a unique approach to designing camera systems,” said Henrik Håkonsson, CEO of Phase One.  “We believe that equipment interoperability and personal choice are integral values in realizing the highest quality imaging results. Furthermore we have invested heavily in optimizing all elements of the camera systems reliability to maximize the photographers’ time for shooting extraordinary images.”

“Mamiya and Phase One are consolidating our expertise and fulfilling our ambitions to provide the products desired by our customers,” said Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, CEO of Mamiya Digital Imaging. “We will continue to cooperate and  work hard to ensure that future camera systems are limited only by the imagination and desires of the artists that use them.”

Pricing and Availability
The first pre-production units will be demonstrated this week at the Photo Imaging Expo. Full technical details, including system component options will be provided at the start of volume production shipments, expected in QY2. For more information about ordering the camera platforms, please contact sales at www.phaseone.com and www.mamiya.co.jp.

About Mamiya Digital Imaging
Mamiya Digital Imaging is the digital successor to the reputable Mamiya brand, an innovative company fresh with enthusiasm and dedicated to continuing a legacy of excellence. Mamiya has consistently been a fore-runner in medium format camera design, and Mamiya lenses, manufactured following a tradition of precision and quality, are celebrated world-wide. For the Professional Photographer, it is the ultimate brand in photographic equipment.
Mamiya Digital Imaging is headquartered in Tokyo with two factories in Japan, and has distributors in more than 100 countries.
For more information about products, visit the Mamiya homepage on www.mamiya.co.jp

About Phase One
Phase One is a leading provider of digital image capture and work flow management technology. The Phase One Camera offers open platform flexibility. Phase One P+ Series digital backs open new possibilities, putting the focus back on the moment of capture. Phase One Capture One software helps streamline the capture and post-production process. Supporting DSLR, medium- and large-format photographic equipment, Phase One products are renowned for their superior quality, flexibility and speed — enabling pro photographers to realize their most subtle and most complex visions without compromise.
Phase One is an employee-owned company based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne and Shanghai.

For more information about the products, visit the Phase One web site on www.phaseone.com.

Phase One and Capture One are registered trademarks of Phase One A/S.
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.