By Shutterbug Staff

April 28, 2008 — Phase One A/S and Mamiya Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. today unveiled an 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.

The camera platform provides 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 Hakonsson, 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 Tokyo Photo Imaging Expo. Full technical details, including system component options will be provided at the start of volume production shipments, expected close to summer.
For more information about products, visit the Mamiya homepage on www.mamiya.co.jp

www.phaseone.com.