Top 10 Essential Accessories for the DF / DF+ Camera Systems

There are plenty of camera systems out there, but I decided to write about our biggest mover this time around. I picked it partly as I was not very experienced with the DF / DF+ system prior to coming to Capture Integration, as the “Hasselblad H camera with Phase One back” was the more common setup in New York. So I wanted to really get immersed in it, and partly because there are so many of you out there using it that I felt we should really show you what other great tools there are to make the camera work better for you.

10. 645 Wireless Release

Are you the kind of photographer who likes to put your camera in hard to reach or out of the way places? Do you like being able to trigger the camera no matter where you are in your studio? If so, Mamiya created this 645 Wireless Release for you. This unit utilizes IR line of site triggering, so if you can see the receiver – you can make it work. It mounts to your camera’s hot shoe, and has a cable that plugs right into the cable release socket in your camera. There is a cold shoe on top that allows you to attach your favorite brand of strobe trigger, and you can use a sync cord to connect it to either the release receiver or your digital back. The trigger runs on two AA batteries while the receiver needs a 9 volt, and will last for around 800 shots.

9. Magnifier

Eyes not what they used to be? (Don’t worry, it happens to a lot of us) Want to see what’s in your viewfinder a little easier? The Mamiya FD402 Magnifier could be your solution. It mounts easily to your viewfinder and offers 2x magnification and can flip up and out of the way when you don’t need it. As well, it offers a range of -5 to +3 diopter adjustments. A handy little tool to help you get those sharp images you desire.

8. Mamiya Angle Finder

If you often find you camera to be at a low angle (and are tired of crouching down to look straight on in to your viewfinder) then the Mamiya FA401 Angle View Finder the accessory you need to pick up. Vertically and horizontally correct using 7 elements in 5 groups in its prism, the angle finder mounts simply to your viewfinder and allows you to look down from above. It offers 1x magnification and has a -5 to +3 diopter adjustments.

7. Focusing Screens

Shooting with a digital back, many of you are accustomed to drop in mask that are interchangeable. Sometimes they get can scratched, on rare occasions they can even more – affecting the crop you are trying to compose. They can be a hassle for sure, to remedy that we have a great selection of masks that are etched to the crop area of your digital back. We always have other focusing screens such as the very popular grid that you see below. We also have selections that are blacked out for your crop area. Let us know what you are looking for and we will get it out to you.

6. Macro Options

If you are thinking about Macro photography on your DF / DF+ system, then you should really consider the Mamiya NC401 Macro Auto Bellows system. Set on rails and finely tunable, this tool allows for continuous adjustment of the magnification ratio for extreme manual focus close up photography. While Shutter and Program modes are inoperable while using this device, AE and Manual mode are still available as a data cable transmits diaphragm information back to the body. The AF 80mm lens reverse ring allows reproduction at magnification greater than 1:1. The camera mount can be rotated 90° for simple selection of vertical/horizontal composition. The upper and lower rails separate and can be used in combination at a right angle, enabling the auto bellows to shift horizontally and enable reproduction of vertical images at the same magnification ratio.

Alternatively, if you want to go macro but this is to big, we do have all three Auto Extension Rings for the DF system. Add No. 1 through 3 and with a 80mm lens you would get a maximum magnification of 1:1.

Yeah, #6 is kind of a two – for. That’s the way it goes sometimes.

5. AC Power Supply

If you are in studio (or in a place where you have constant power available) why not grab on of these handy Phase One DF AC Power Supply units? Why worry about your battery running out, or having to remember to charge it? This plugs into your DF / DF+ and powers it all day long. Simple as that.

4. Cable Release

Seriously, who doesn’t love a good cable release? These feel great in your hand, have a locking button to allow for continuous shooting and come in two sizes: 1 Meter and 5 (that’s 3.28084 and 16.4042 feet respectively). Useful in all kinds of situations, be it long exposure or sitting behind the camera during a fashion shooting there’s nothing more satisfying then hitting that button with your thumb (well, sure there is, but this isn’t that kind of blog ;-).

3. Hasselblad V Adapter

I’ll tell you the truth; I didn’t know this existed until recently. However, once I heard about it I realized how great it was. If you have a stockpile of Hasselblad V series lenses, the 645 Multimount for Hasselblad V lenses allows you to continue using them. While Program and Shutter Priority no longer work, you can still take advantage of Aperture Priority or just plug away in Manual mode. You also get focus confirmation while using this lens manually, so you will definitely be made aware when focus has been achieved. You will be limited to 1/125^th of a second that the focal plane shutter provides, but you will still be able to take advantage of that beautiful Zeiss glass.

2. Ejji battery and charger kit

Batteries, we all need them to make our tools work for us. More than likely, your DF / DF+ shipped with a AA battery cage. Help the environment and your wallet (in the long run) and pick up one of these Lithium Ion Ejji Mark II Battery and Charger Kits. The DF series of bodies are designed to run optimally using this style of battery, so you know you will get smooth operation when you use them. They have some specs that are good to know, so I’ll lay those out for you in bullet point format:

Battery type: Lithium Ion
Battery voltage: 7.4V
Battery capacity: 2,000 mAh
Discharging operating temperature: -20°C~60°C (-4°F~140°F)
Charging operating temperature: 0°~45°C (32°F~113°F)
Charging time: 5 hours
Battery weight: 135g
Battery color: Black
Protective circuit with protection for over charging, over
discharging, over current and short circuit
Warranty: 1 Year Warranty

Theses batteries are supposed to last you 10,000 shots. We set a camera up on continuous to test this claim out to see if it was true, but were not able to find out, but not because the battery gave out. We blew two shutters in DF bodies during the test, as continuous relentless shooting is a bit taxing, and after the second instance we decided these batteries would probably go that distance. Rest assured these will last you all day, and then some. Definitely one of the most important things we recommend you pick up for you camera system.

1. V-Grip

The Phase One V-Grip Air is the single most important accessory for the DF / DF+ system. Now you may be saying something like “but I don’t need to worry about shooting hand held in portrait mode, why do I need it?” Why indeed. Sure, the V-Grip gives you control buttons at your finger tips while handheld in portrait orientation with a much more ergonomic design, that’s a great reason to use it. It also has a built in Air sync to trigger your strobes, which in and of itself is a pretty rad feature, but again, not something for everyone. It also uses the same type of battery your Phase One P / P+, IQ and Leaf Credo uses, making carrying chargers just a little easier while on location. Though maybe you still rock an Aptus product like many of our customer who recently took advantage of our amazing deal on the last of the II-10 models, and this doesn’t exactly wow you. Understandable. What’s the one thing everyone who owns this camera platform needs other than batteries? Firmware updates. Yes, the only way to update the firmware in your camera is with this V-Grip. As features are added and communication is improved to digital backs with each new firmware release this item certainly makes that process an easy one to complete. Yes, we can get grip to you, or if you are local to one of our offices, you can stop in any time and will update it for you. However, this may not be a reality for the vast majority of you, and to that I would say pick up one of these grips if you can. It’s useful, necessary and feels great in your hand.