1/31/2011 Initial Conclusion
IQ180 in the field (photo by Kevin Raber)
Note: we tried most un-tethered Phase One backs before but are no MF experts
- To repeat: this was a prototype and some features were not yet implemented
- Very nice evolution of an un-tethered back (the old LCD was not nearly as useful)
- UI well designed and intuitive
- Very fast for handling 80MP images
- We nailed nearly all shots we took because the UI gives so much help to evaluate the photos
- LCD could be brighter outdoors but this is hopefully a prototype issue
- We don't see any real need for taking a laptop in the field
- The resulting 80MP files are just amazing
- You can crop 25% off and still have 60MP left
- Very good pixel level detail (of course having no AA filter helps)
- Very little need for any post-processing (we only used our Optimal Sharp as capture sharpening)
- Using Capture One with these files is nice. We often use Lightroom (more because of the workflow) but always loved the C1 image look (we did the first C1 review in 2002)
- The lenses (we used the Schneider 80mm, 110mm and the Mamiya 150mm) are more then up for the task
- Camera +4-5 prime lenses is not a really big set
- We used autofocus most of the time and did not have issues
- We had never had that much fun with any other back
Looking forward:
- Controlling camera via iPad would be nice
Too bad we now would like to have this back but it won't really happen (we don't see the business for us right now to pay for it). The difference to normal full frame DSLRs is just huge. Going back to lower resolution cameras is not really that easy now.
Note: It is actually interesting that I have about all these photos from other cameras (mainly GF1/GH1/60D). From the photographic content perspective there is nothing much different. But I hesitate to even look at the detail in these other shots now. For prints up to about 20" wide these other shots maybe ok (I don't want to say you would not see the difference, but normal viewers only see the final photo and do not compare) but then it would show major differences.
Some statistics:
- Kevin Raber and we took 100 exposures (68 me and 32 Kevin)
- We published 19 images in our gallery (one shot by Kevin: "Stroller Parade")
- May have 1 or 2 usable other not published images of our own
I would consider that quite a good ratio because most other images were needed to tune the exposure.
Check out our sample gallery
IQ180 Sample Gallery
Still adding a few more sample photos.
1/30/2011 IQ180 Video introduction
We also show the video on Youtube here.
Note: Do not judge the colors of the images from the video. We have all images in our gallery (5K pixels wide full image and 3Kx3K 100% pixel crops).
We will add some more images to the gallery soon.
1/29/2011 Very first impressions
Today we had the chance to use a Phase One IQ180 prototype for a full day. Kevin Raber spent the day with us. We were in control what to shoot and what not.
Showing what these backs can do is difficult on the web (files are over 10K pixels wide). We try a compromise:
- Post a 5,000 pixel wide version (not even 25% of the full resolution)
- 3,000x3,000 100% pixel crops (updated)
Right now we feature these images.
100% crop
100% crop
Image processing:
- Raw processing in Capture One 6.1 (very minor corrections)
- Sharpening with our DOP Optimal Sharp (acts as a capture sharpener with these large files)
To no surprise the detail is amazing and the images look very clean. Still remember this is a prototype back.
The gallery can be found here.
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