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30th September 2015

The new Phase One XF Camera system review by Murray Laidlaw © 2015

Flower photography by Murray Laidlaw, using Phase One XF Camera System

Its not unusual for major camera manufacturers to launch two or three new products every year, in 2015 we have seen new models or upgrades from Nikon, Canon and Sony along with additions to the ever expanding Fuji X- series. The medium format camera market is different and it may be several years before something new comes along but this summer we have seen the arrival of two; the all new Phase One XF and a new version of the Leica S. In this blog we will be looking at the XF as this is the camera we were lucky enough to have on test recently.

Students of camera history will know that the original Phase One 645 DF began life as a Mamiya and that presented a few problems as the original software was written by Japanese engineers a good few years ago. So when Phase One decided to replace the camera they started with a blank sheet of paper and a couple of goals, to create a camera where the software could be upgraded easily and to make it as user friendly and customisable as possible. They kept two things, the mounts for the lens and digital back, everything else was up for discussion. Five years in development the XF arrived in June.

The new camera body is different; more angular to accommodate a glass prism, a more ergonomic handgrip, a sleeker more streamlined shape. The old body was very dated with sweeping curves whereas everything about the new body screams “I mean business”.

So what has changed? Apart from the styling the most obvious external differences are the removable prism viewfinder unit and the introduction of a waist level finder. A couple of buttons and a switch have gone and a new on/ off button has appeared.

The handgrip display is now touch sensitive and offers control over shutter speed and drive modes, aperture settings and ISO. Its also possible to increase or decrease exposure override in selectable steps and bracketing in 1/3, ½ or whole stops. In the drive mode the usual single and continuous settings are joined by bracketing and seismograph and this is possibly the most interesting setting. Traditionally there has been a delayed shutter release, this new concept will in time prevent the shutter from firing until the camera is completely vibration free - unaffected by wind or traffic movement for example. At present when selected it will actuate mirror lock up and then release the shutter after a user defined period of seconds. However the actual seismograph, that will control this is interesting as it shows just how good your tripod is as reducing vibration. All of the controls are duplicated via a menu on the digital back.

One the the most improved areas is the metering. This simple sentence doesn’t do justice to how good the new metering system is, traditionally the meter was built into the prism viewfinder but by placing it in the body it’s now possible to meter when using the waist level viewfinder. Something that until now has not been possible.

The auto-focus system is also vastly improved through the use of a new metering pattern designated HAP-1 or Honeybee autofocus platform, so called because of the way the segments are arranged. It is both quicker and more accurate.

The IQ 2 series backs have been upgraded to IQ3 models and incorporate a number of new options. These include the already mentioned camera controls together with a spirit level in both horizontal and vertical alignment, the usual histogram together with an improved exposure warning system. When reviewing a shot it’s possible to overlay a series of colours indicating degrees of over or under exposure from dark blue - seriously under exposed through green, correct exposure to red indicating overexposed but recoverable highlights. The screen is touch sensitive like the handgrip display and although it doesn't have ‘pinch to zoom’ like an iPhone® it is possible to zoom in to greater than 100% with the option to include focus point indicators.

In use the camera is slightly heavier than the model it replaces mainly because of the solid glass prism and the higher quality materials used - aircraft grade aluminium, but the improved ergonomics and balance make it a pleasure to use. All the controls fall comfortably into place assuming you like the default presets; handgrip front wheel shutter speed, side wheel aperture and rear wheel ISO. The shutter release button falls under the index finger easily and the middle finger rested naturally on the depth of field preview button. On the handgrip display in Aperture priority mode the shutter speed is displayed in blue, had it been in shutter priority the aperture would have been displayed in blue, this also applies to ISO. Any setting in auto is displayed in blue while all other are white against a dark background. Quite simply it works and its visually very clear how the controls have been set.

Customisation options available within the camera are too many to list and there will be more to come as Phase One responds to user feedback. Easy to update they set out to build a camera for the long term and have exceeded that goal.

Whats good? Everything.

What’s bad? In the time I had the camera I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like.

I haven’t mentioned the two new lenses; a 35mm wide angle and a 120mm macro designed to deliver resolutions in excess of the current 80MP backs. In excess of 100MP was the benchmark.

There has also been a programme of improvements to their already excellent Capture One Pro software. The new version 8.33 builds on previous versions and just gets better and better. This software is not just for Phase One cameras, it works exceptionally well with Nikon, Canon, Sony and Fuji models.

This then is a camera for the professional photographer and at around GBP 30,000 including VAT is a serious investment. It’s important because it shows the direction camera software is moving. Within a year I would expect to see many of the new ideas incorporated in this model appearing in DSLRs.

Further information is available on the Phase One website http://www.phaseone.com

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