Posted on 2014/09/08 7:00 AM by Steve Hendrix

Leaf Credo 501) New Sony 50 Megapixel CMOS Sensor

Leaf holds a unique position in the medium format digital segment as the first company to create a CMOS product (Leaf CMOST, back in 2004). While that’s a somewhat limited pedigree, we’re excited to see what Leaf extracts out of this new Sony 50 megapixel CMOS sensor. While the Sony sensor is not unique to Leaf, many Leaf owners place a high value on the Leaf color and look – they clearly know how to get great quality out of a sensor. We’re anxious to see the results!

2) User Interface Enhancements for the Leaf Credo 50

With the launch of the Leaf Credo 50, Leaf has added a few new wrinkles to their Credo lineup of digital backs. Many are fans of the Credo approach to interface, which emphasizes swiping rather than menu-driven operation. Updates to this interface that is launching with the Credo include:

  • Black and White preview is available
  • Spirit level (virtual horizon) can be used w/o CF Card for tethered capture
  • A stopwatch timer function has now been added
  • LCD screen can be dimmed to 1% (previously 20% was the lowest)

The bonus part of this is that all the other Leaf Credo models (Credo 40/60/80) will benefit from the same interface enhancements (via firmware update).

3) Improved Locking Mechanism

The Leaf Credo 50 is designed to be used in the field. With a high resolution and responsive touch screen, and in-camera live view functionality, the features now support, rather than hinder, getting the best results out of the studio. With that in mind, Leaf has increased the security of the Leaf Credo 50 by improving the locking mechanism for the attachment/detachment of the Leaf Credo 50 to the host camera.

4) Differences compared to Phase One IQ250

So how does a Leaf Credo 50 compare to the Phase One IQ250 version of the same Sony CMOS sensor? Number 1, it is less expensive, $8,000 less expensive, to be exact. At these price points, thousands of dollars less is a big deal. What features does an owner of the Credo 50 sacrifice for that price break?

The below features available on the Phase One IQ250 are not available on the Leaf Credo 50:

  • WiFi
  • Geotagging
  • Focus Mask
  • Custom Start Up Screen

If you can live without those, and you like the fact that the Leaf Credo 50 will come with the same versatile allotment of Leaf-tuned specialized color profiles, and offer a swipe-oriented rather than menu-driven interface, you may want to take advantage of the $8,000 difference in price.

5) ISO Performance

While we’ve been accustomed to ISO 50-800 ranges on medium format digital backs (and in most cases, ISO 800 has been of very limited use), the Credo 50 easily surpasses this performance due to the new 50 megapixel Sony CMOS sensor. Early users are reporting usability at ISO 6400, and even performance that beats the best smaller format DSLR cameras on the market.

6) Live View

In contrast to the Leaf Credo 40/60/80 models, which initially shipped without Live View capability, the Credo 50 will ship with Live View. As you can see from the below link, the live view performance on the new Credo 50 and IQ250 digital backs is head and shoulders above the live view performance from previous generations and even the other current Credo and IQ/IQ2 Series products.

http://205.186.138.113/plesk-site-preview/captureintegration.com/205.186.138.113/ci-exclusive-phase-one-iq250-live-view/

7) Long Exposure 1st for Leaf

While Leaf stands alone as the only medium format digital manufacturer who has offered a CMOS-based product previously, the long exposure capability that this new Sony sensor offers is something not experienced ever by any Leaf users. Leaf users tend to be a pretty loyal bunch, so we’re imagining they are going to be pretty excited about adding clean long exposures of 40 minutes or longer to their arsenal.

8) Tech Camera Compatible

The Sony 50 megapixel CMOS sensor has found it’s way into other camera products as well, including DSLR cameras like the Pentax 645z. A unique aspect of the Leaf Credo 50 is the ability to un-mount the digital back as a separate module from the camera it is mated to (Mamiya/Phase One DF+, Hasselblad H, Hasselblad V Series, or Contax 645) and attach it to a Technical Shift Camera like an Alpa, or Cambo, Arca Swiss, or Sinar.

http://205.186.138.113/plesk-site-preview/captureintegration.com/205.186.138.113/technical-cameras/

9) Wide Spectrum Models

Leaf has offered a WS model for their Credo 60/80 products. WS stands for wide spectrum, which means that the IR Blocking filter has been removed. The result is you can shoot IR photography straight out of camera, but still have the option of shooting an RGB file by externally adding an IR block filter back into the mix.

http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/assets/files/Leaf_Credo_WS_guidelines.pdf

Leaf is now offering the Credo 50 in the WS version as well (Mamiya/Phase One 645 and Hasselblad V interface only), which is the first 44mm x 33mm digital back offered in this configuration.

10) Pricing and availability

The Leaf Credo 50 will be priced at $26,990 and will be available in (4) standard interface models for the following cameras:

  • Mamiya/Phase One 645 DF/DF+
  • Hasselblad H1/H2/H4X
  • Hasselblad 500 V Series (500/501/503/553/555)
  • Contax 645AF

Availability will be close to right away! The first Leaf Credo 50 units are expected to ship the week of September 15. Capture Integration is taking pre-orders now.

 

 

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