Leaf, Rolleiflex and Sinar are all mixed up in the
digital transformation of the old Rollei 6008 into an effective and competitive
medium format style digital camera. Sinar may have taken the publicity
with the HY6 at the 2006 Photokina but Leaf has always been the company
that responds to changes and trends more quickly.
Therefore its not all that surprising
that Leaf is the first to announce a second generation version. It also
follows that the development of a sensor that made full use of the Leaf's
legacy square format was inevitable. At 56mm x 36mm the new sensor has
been dubbed True Wide Frame Sensor by Leaf and it enables photographers
to sully utilise the wide angle capability of their lenses.
The new top of the range back (known
as the 10) has a resolution is 9,288 pixels x 6,000 pixels — 56MP
for a quite astonishing 345MB TIFF file size. Two other backs are available;
the 33MP & and the 28MP 6.
Leaf Press release: Leaf, developer
of the world’s most advanced medium format digital camera solutions,
today announced an entirely new family of medium format cameras and camera
backs that enhance flexibility and usability for professional photographers.
In addition to offering unequalled image quality with up to 56 megapixel
resolution, the new line-up delivers many new features. These include
a 56 millimeter wide ‘True Wide Frame’ sensor, Leaf Verto
internal sensor rotation for easily changing orientation and Leaf SensorFlex
technology which lets photographers pre-select image size and capture
speed.
The new line-up totals six new products:
the Leaf AFi-II 6, 7 and 10 digital camera systems and the Leaf Aptus-II
6, 7 and 10 digital camera backs.
Image quality, flexibility and ease of use
The new product line from Leaf
is characterized by new features and advances in image quality, flexibility,
ease of use and workflow efficiency that are a direct result of Leaf’s
long-term relationships with professional photographers around the world.
“By working closely with professional
photographers and digital technicians in their studios and on location,
Leaf has been able to deliver solutions that make their work easier, faster
and more efficient,” said Dov Kalinski, general manager of Leaf.
“We’ve put a lot of thought and a lot of new technology into
the Leaf AFi-II and Leaf Aptus-II lines and Leaf photographers are very
enthusiastic about the new features that they’ve requested.”
True Wide Frame sensor
Leaf has developed
the exclusive new 56x36 millimeter, 56 megapixel True Wide Frame sensor
in cooperation with DALSA Corporation, who specialize in digital imaging
components. As the world’s widest medium format sensor and the first
to provide a 56mm wide capture area, it is designed to fit perfectly into
the 6x6 frame of the Leaf AFi-II 10 camera. The same 56mm wide True Wide
Frame sensor is also available in the Leaf Aptus-II 10 camera back.
Leaf Verto
Leaf Verto is another feature
that was inspired by feedback from professional photographers. With the
Leaf Verto internal sensor rotation dial on the side and bottom of the
AFi-II 7 and 10, photographers can easily switch orientation without removing
the back, adjusting the tripod mount or twisting their wrists. When the
sensor turns, the orientation indicator in the viewfinder also adjusts
to indicate the current orientation.
Leaf SensorFlex
Leaf SensorFlex in the Leaf AFi-II
10 and Leaf Aptus-II 10 gives photographers a choice: either use the entire
high-resolution sensor, or select from pre-defined formats that use only
part of the sensor while maintaining full image quality. With SensorFlex,
the Leaf AFi-II 10 and Aptus-II 10 offer even faster capture and processing
speeds with file sizes appropriate for different types of jobs.
Leaf’s new bright LCD touch screen
In addition to offering the largest LCD
display at 6x7cm (3.5 inch diameter) and the only touch screen in the
medium format market, Leaf has also made the easy-to-use display on all
Leaf AFi-II and Leaf Aptus-II touch screens much easier to see. With a
dramatic increase in brightness, the photographer can easily see the display
even under challenging lighting conditions.
90° Tilting LCD display
The Leaf AFi-II 7 and 10 are
the first medium format cameras to sport a 90° tilting touch screen
LCD display. No matter which of the three interchangeable viewfinders
photographers use with the Leaf AFi-II (45°, 90° or waist level),
the tilting touch screen lets them glance at the preview image and histogram
and easily adjust settings while staying in position for the next shot.
Remote image preview on wireless devices
The new Leaf Capture Remote for iPhone app turns wireless devices, such
as the iPhone or iPod Touch, into remote image viewers. While you are
shooting tethered using Leaf Capture software, a client or creative director
can quickly and conveniently view selected medium-resolution files of
your images from any Wi-Fi network.
Image quality leader
The new Leaf AFi-II camera systems and
Leaf Aptus-II camera backs boast a 12 f-stop dynamic range, 50-800 ISO
range and 16-bit color images. These and other technologies designed into
the new line of products from Leaf ensure professional photographers the
highest image quality ever.
Compatibility and expandability
The Leaf AFi-II imaging module, with its
56mm wide sensor and Leaf Verto internal sensor rotation technology, is
a valuable enhancement for any 4x5 or 8 x10 field or studio camera. Using
a Graflok adaptor, the Leaf AFi-II imaging module brings the best of digital
image capture and capabilities to large format camera. Also available
is a new RZ adaptor for the Leaf AFi-II imaging module to help breathe
new life into ‘old favorite’ cameras and lenses.
Leaf Capture version 11.2
Leaf has also introduced a new version
of its capture software, Leaf Capture version 11.2, which is the fastest
tethered workflow application for commercial shooting today. On top of
dramatically improved performance, Leaf Capture version 11.2 boasts new
features including Live View for a color live video preview while shooting
tethered%3B adjustable histogram%3B a Moiré Removing Tool to remove
Moiré directly from the RAW file%3B and side-by-side comparison
of shots with synchronized pan and zoom functionality.
Through Leaf Capture, photographers and digital technicians can also fully
control camera functions from a Mac or PC, including aperture, shutter
speed, exposure compensation, dynamic exposure metering, mirror control
and flash synchronization when tethered using a FireWire 800 interface.
Pricing
and availability
Pricing
for the new Leaf product line will range from $US20,995 to $US39,995.
The new Leaf AFi-II 6 and 7 and the Leaf Aptus-II 6 and 7 are slated to
start delivery by Photokina 2008. The new Leaf AFi-II 10 will be available
for demonstration at Photokina and is expected to start shipping by the
end of 2008. Leaf plans to start shipping the Aptus-II 10 by Q1 2009.
Leaf Capture 11.2 will be available by the end of September, 2008.