Leaf medium format backs for Hasselblad H1, Mamiya 645 AFD, Contax 645

Leaf is part of the history of digital cameras: Leaf was among the first manufacturer of medium format digital backs; years and years ago. MegaVision was also among the early pioneers. Each company developed differently, especially in the last three years.

Leaf is an example of the sophisticated digital imaging technology that has been developed in Israel. Scitex, Scitex Vision, NUR, and Matan are other examples of Israeli technology. HP bought Scitex Vision; Kodak bought Scitex by buying Creo which previously had bought Scitex. Kodak inherited Leaf because Leaf was part of Scitex.

But Leaf maintains a relatively independent existence within the Kodak family.

Our experience with Leaf cameras comes using a Leaf Valeo 22 for six months. We have also learned about Leaf camera backs from years and years of visiting their booth at Photokina 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and at PhotoPlus every year that they have been there.

Leaf Aptus 17, Leaf Aptus 22, Leaf Aptus 65, and Leaf Aptus 75 medium format digital camera backs

The current models are the

• Leaf Aptus 75
• Leaf Aptus 65
• Leaf Aptus 22
• Leaf Aptus 17
• (now the Leaf S-series is available)

Medium format backs tend to have an ISO of 50; actually the early backs had an ISO of 25. Although at first ISO 50 sounds low, to a pro this is an ideal ISO because strobes provide plenty of light for this ISO. Remember, this is not a point and shoot camera for taking on the holidays where you may need ISO 800.

The Leaf Aptus 65 works on all the usual medium format cameras (Hasselblad, Mamiya, Contax (no longer exists as a functioning company) but also Fuji GX680, Bronica (now bankrupt), as well as view cameras including Sinar, Toyo, Cambo, Linhof, Horseman, and Rollei X-Act. Leaf does not list Rollei 6008-series medium format cameras. The Leaf Aptus 65 produces an 80 MB file at 8-bit RGB with a roughly 28+ megapixels.

The Leaf Aptus 75 offers 33.3 mega pixels, which produces a 95 MB file size. Works on all the same cameras as the Aptus 65.

The Leaf Aptus 17 is a good entry level into medium format digital photography. 17 megapixels is plenty large enough for 90% of the commercial prints that will result from a standard assignment. This and the 22-megapixel back are priced less than the newer backs because the CCD sensors for 17 and 22 megapixels have been around for a while. People who need more pixels can generally afford to pay for the Leaf Aptus 75 or 65.

We spoke with two photographers who used the Leaf Aptus and they mentioned several glitches and issues. We would have to have access to the Leaf Aptus ourselves to find out if these problems are incidental, accidental, or systematic. Perhaps the photographers had not learned all the features of the camera yet. Leaf is certainly a company with access to sophisticated digital imaging technology. They know digital backs for medium format cameras inside out.

In the meantime, we are using a Phase One P 30 back and getting great results. The Leaf also has capabilities, but until we try it out we are seeing impressive digital files from the Phase One P 30, P 45, and P 25. The Phase One P25+ has recently arrived and is being evaluated.

Continue on our FLAAR digital-photography.org website for comparative comments on all the other medium format digital backs: Hasselblad Imacon, Kodak, Jenoptik, Leaf, Phase One, Sinar, Mamiya ZD and MegaVision.

Most recently updated August 1, 2007.
First posted June 15, 2006. Updated Feb 28, 2006.

Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008

Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and Maya archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now, for the last six years, he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography. Since FLAAR works both in a studio as well as out on location, we are an ideal focus for judging portability. We have experience with large format digital scan backs (the excellent BetterLight) and we also use Nikon (D300) and Canon (EOS 5D) digital cameras. A full-service digital pro should have at least one medium format digital system and should consider large format digital options as well. FLAAR also has an 80-megapixel large format camera (yes, they do exist, we have a Cruse). Although we started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 AFD body and lenses, we are open to showcasing all bodies as well as other digital backs. Indeed we tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. For a month (February 2006) it was possible to evaluate a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. We are also considering the Rolleiflex 6008 AF, one of the outstanding medium format cameras that still offers European precision. However in the last 40 years we have not received any Rollei (or Franke & Heidecke) equipment for evaluation, so we can comment only on the Hasselblad and Mamiya (loaned briefly two years ago by Mamiya America). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in the digital photography evaluation initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. Curently all the medium format backs are coming from Global Imaging Inc, Greg Lamb, CEO (contact 800 787-9802, press 4, fax 212 722-0988). This is one of the few camera stores in the entire US or Canada that offers ALL major brands of medium format (so they have no incentive to push one brand over the other). However we are also open to receiving medium format backs directly from the manufacturer. Over 381,154 visitors came to this www.digital-photography.org web site to learn which cameras, lighting, tripods, and accessories have proven themselves during evaluation by FLAAR. Since we deliberately do not review low-end cameras, our reviews attract a sophisticated audience. The total "visit" count is 791.562 during 2007, but we prefer to use the visitor count, 381.154 as being more realistic. FLAAR is the de facto source of information on medium format digital cameras 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. Photographers feel they can trust a university research professor who has devoted years to understanding the pros and cons of each aspect of a digital camera system and workflow. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.