FLAAR tests everything having to do with digital photography, including the accessories. Here is an ideal setup for professional photography out on location: a Manfrotto tripod with Gitzo off-center ball head (BogenImaging) holding a Hasselblad H1 with Imacon Ixpress 528C digital back (SSI-Digital).

This camera is totally portable and does not require any computer whatsoever for 1-shot mode. But we wanted to test it in 4-shot and 16-shot mode, so we added a Mac Titanium laptop. You can't see anything on a LCD monitor outside in the sun, so we used a Screen-Shade (via Lee Filters). The laptop is comfortably seated on a table-top tripod head from Gitzo (Bogen Imaging).

As you would expect from a university research professor and director of a digital imaging institute, we have separate reports on every single camera, tripod, tripod head, sun screen in this setup.

Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative

For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and 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.

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 and Canon 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.

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 recently tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body . Currently (February 2006 onwards) we are evaluating 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.

Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in this initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation.

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. 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.