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A 22-megapixel digital camera is enough to make even Nicholas smile. The camera was picked up at Parrot Digigraphic (imaging@parrotcolor.com) on Monday, and was at work in Guatemala, Central America on Tuesday.
We do most of our test photography in Guatemala because of all the photogenic opportunitities here. |
Leaf Valeo 22 medium format digital camera backs
Leaf has a long history of digital cameras and scanners as well. The Leaf 4x5 and other dedicated toaster-shaped slide scanners were way ahead of the day both in hardware and software many years ago. However these scanners did not survive the takeover by Scitex. Leaf was bought by Creo, and Creo was bought by Kodak.
The advantage of FLAAR doing evaluations of a camera is because we have experience with all four main classes of digital camera: point and shoot (Nikon CoolPix is the camera taking this shot; another point and shoot you see is the Sony F828; Nikon D100, the Mamiya with Leaf Valeo 22 as representative of medium format digital, and a BetterLight digital in the Cambo Ultima 4x5 camera. The BetterLight is equivalent to a 48 megapixel camera.
The other web sites that test digital camera do primarily entry level rather than professional studio cameras. The other advantage of FLAAR as a test resource is we are non-commercial and are not paid by the camera manufacturers.
The Leaf Volare, Cantare XY, and Leaf C-Most are earlier models. Some of the Leaf backs were the original backs for the Sinar cameras. For several years Sinar sold its own branded backs. But the development costs were so high, and the Sinar backs were not portable. So Sinar dropped out and now uses backs from Jenoptik.
The Leaf Aptus 17 and Leaf Aptus 22 are the new models to replace the Leaf Valeo 17 and Leaf Valeo 22.
The exposure metering tools and gray balance capabilities strike me as precisely what is missing in the Kodak system. So far I would rate the Leaf Aptus and Leaf Valeo as one of the better semi-tethered portable systems yet designed. This statement is made before our upcoming test drive of the MegaVision E5 22 megapixel camera back with OQO monitor/computer.
An 11 megapixel image is plenty for basic portrait photography, publication, product shots, and 90% of what a normal photographer shoots. 17 megapixels is even better. But downside of these chips is their lens reduction factor (we explain this in Nicholas Hellmuth's popular course on digital photography, DP 201 ).
In the meantime, if you need a portable system that may actually function outside, take a Leaf for a test drive.
In nature photography a tripod is essential: here we are using a Bogen carbon fiber tripod with either a Gitzo or Manfrotto ballhead. Camera is Mamiya 645 ADF, macro lens, and Leaf Valeo 22 digital back. If you take a FLAAR course, or order the FLAAR Reports on digital cameras, you can learn the differences between the Mamiya and the Hasselblad H1 (we have used both).
Once Kodak took over Leaf our demo Valeo 22 unit was withdrawn. Thus we are not able to comment on the Leaf Aptus 17 or Leaf Aptus 22 because we have never had one available.
We are comparing the results of the Leaf Valeo 22, a Nikon D100, and an 8-megapixel Sony F828. The quality of the Leaf is superb but you have to see the original prints rather than 72 dpi JPEGs where you can't appreciate the quality. FLAAR has a long range project to compare medium format cameras with other formats to assist photographers who come to us to ask which format they should buy for their work. We find that medium format has many advantages. Later this autumn we will be issuing our findings in PDF format.
Professor Hellmuth also teaches medium format digital photography via the Internet, so you can take this course anywhere in the world . This course also includes large format digital photography and 35mm, so you can learn the pros and cons of each format.
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Here is Nicholas in his natural habitat, photographing orchids blooming next to the FLAAR office in Guatemala. |
Nicholas Hellmuth's Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative
For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography.
Although FLAAR has a large format digital (4x5) BetterLight, a 35mm Nikon D100 and Kodak SLR/n, as well as point-and-shoot digital cameras, we believe that medium format size and features offer capabilities found nowhere else.
Continuing since July 2004 you will see the results of our medium format initiative in our informative FLAAR Reports on digital cameras . We started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 body and lenses, however we are open to showcasing Hasselblad or Contax bodies and other digital backs. We are especially interested in trying Linhof and Rollei tilt-and-shift fronts for medium format digital backs.
Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in this initiative are welcome to join. Creo joined first because they have seen the results during the last four years of what happens when FLAAR does an in-depth review of a product (in their case their $45,000 Creo EverSmart Supreme scanner, one of the top scanners in its pre-press class).
FLAAR is the de facto source of information because we are university based, independent, blunt, and we are one of the few review sources that dares to review advertising specs, advertising claims, and advertising hype. We can afford to reveal all the pros and cons because FLAAR is a research institute. People trust what a university professor learns from his research on medium format cameras, and how they compare with 35mm digital SLR's. There is a huge difference. |
Most recently updated August 1, 2005.
First posted Dec. 12, 2002. Previously updated March 2003 after PMA photography tradeshow. Updated July 13, 2004.
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