Canon EOS-5Ds & EOS-5Ds R Replacement Will Rival Medium Format Cameras

Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R 50MP DSLR cameras

I am back from my Japan Wildlife Photo Tour. It will take me a while to catch up on things while I was away and process the photos. So far behind on my editing. This is already my third tour of 2017 and I have another one coming up before the end of March. You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Just a quick note to let me readers know there is a distinct possibility the Canon EOS-5Ds and EOS-5Ds R cameras' replacement will revert back to one model but this time Canon may decide to deal a big blow to the few remaining and struggling Medium Format manufacturers by putting a sensor that will pack significantly more megapixels than their current champ - 50MP EOS-5Ds.

Canon has demonstrated the 120MP and 250MP APS-H sensors at the Expo Show in 2015. They clearly have the technology to put a new sensor in a new camera that can match any medium format body on the market today. Don't expect any super mega pixel camera to come before at the earliest mid 2018. 

Live View Comparison - Hasselblad vs Phase One

* * *  Phase One announced 100MP Medium Format camera  * * *

Capture Integration did a quick side by side, Live View comparison between the Hasselblad and Phase One 50MP Digital Backs. From the video below, it appears Phase One has the advantage. Of particular interest is Phase One's superior refresh arte, dynamic range and contrast.

My readers know after much deliberation, I have finally replaced my venerable EOS-1Ds Mark III with the full frame, 61-point AF, 50 megapixel Canon EOS-5Ds camera. The 5Ds will be used primarily for nature and travel photography but also for wildlife when the animals don't move too much. The resolution of its impressive sensor,  the ability to crop the image to 1.3x and 1.6x right in the camera are great advantages for me when it comes to wildlife photography, offsetting its main disadvantage - the slow 5 fps burst rate. I will be taking this camera on many worldwide photo shoots in 2016 and writing a comprehensive review on it in the next few months. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Hasselblad Offers Big Discounts On Cameras And Lens

Hasselblad H5D Medium Format camera

Medium Format photography is, at best, a niche under even the best of times and the MF manufacturers are going through some tough times right now. Not all of them will survive and even the Grand Daddy of them all, Hasselblad, has to get in the discount game big time.

The recently announced 40 MP Hasselblad H5D-40 is now selling for less than $10,000. $9,995 to be precise. The H5D-50 is selling for $23,500 and the H5D-60 sells for $34,500. That is a discount of thousands of dollars from their previous list price. Many Hasselblad lenses are selling for much less than before as well.

Hasselblad H5X Medium Format Camera

Hasselblad H5X Medium Format Camera

The highly versatile H5X has been developed primarily for H1, H2, H2F and H4X photographers who seek H5 capability - and also as a backup body for H5D users.

The H5X, which boasts latest capture functionality and works seamlessly with Hasselblad's world-leading H System lenses, comes after the spring launch of the world's first 50MP CMOS Sensor H5D-50c camera and the summer launch of the new H5D-50c MS, H5D-200c MS and the CFV-50c CMOS digital back.

Hasselblad will showcase the new H5X at photokina (Sep 16-21: Hall 02.1 Stands AO21, BO20, AO10). Michele Channer, Hasselblad International Sales Director said: "This cutting edge camera body, which can be purchased with no trade-in required, further extends the Hasselblad capture palette for photographers. Based on the widely-acclaimed H5D range this unit is compatible not only with most of the digital backs from older H System products but also most of the third party digital backs. Additionally, photographers who love shooting film now have access to this highly advanced camera body."

She added: "Photographers choosing the H5X can embrace the unique and comprehensive Hasselblad lens range - and for third party digital backs, the new body offers the same functionality as the H4X."

The H5X, which will retail at €4,595 without viewfinder (or €5,795 with viewfinder) excluding tax, provides the same extensive functionality as the H1 and H2 cameras but with a number of new functions, including :

• True Focus - which enables photographers to concentrate completely on creativity without worrying about focus mechanics.
• Full HC and HCD lens compatibility, including HCD 24; HCD 28 and the HCD 35-90 zoom lens.
• HVD 90x viewfinder optimised for 36x48 mm format.
• HV 90x-II viewfinder optimised for the film and 40.2×53.7 mm format.
• High power AF illumination.
• The H5X features eight memory banks for easy access to previously saved camera settings.
• All new programmable button options available with an H5D sensor unit (not with third party backs).

Other H5X highlights include :

•     Tilt/Shift solution with six lenses using the HTS 1.5x Tilt/Shift adapter.
•     Superior viewfinder options.
•     H5D design on grip and grip display, for improved handling and readability.
•     Backup camera for H5D users.

For more information and data sheets click here.

Mamiya Leaf Credo 50 - Medium Format Camera

Mamiya Leaf Credo 50 medium format camera

The Medium Format camera industry is, at best on 'shaky ground', but now the arena for these cameras is a bit more crowded just before Photokina 2014. Mamiya has announced their latest entry, the Leaf Credo 50 medium format digital back, utilizing Sony’s 50MP CMOS sensor. Shipping is scheduled for the end of September, with a list price of $27,000 for the back and $31,000 as a complete setup alongside the 645DF+. Mamiya has put together a gallery with a dozen full-size sample images.

NEW SENSOR-NEW POSSIBILITIES

The new Leaf Credo 50 is the latest member to the very successful Credo line. It follows the course of delivering legendary image quality and by employing a new high-performance CMOS sensor, it brings high iso capabilities along with fast capture rate, high dynamic range and improved Live View performance.

HIGH RESOLUTION AND HIGH SPEED

The Leaf Credo uses high resolution SONY CMOS sensor with 50 Megapixel, measuring 44mm x 33mm. It can capture at 1.2 frames per second and provides an extended iso range of 100-6400 means more freedom in choosing locations, lighting conditions and capture parameters. For many photographers this means they no longer have to carry another camera for certain type of jobs.

UNCOMPROMISING IMAGE QUALITY

The Leaf Credo 50 delivers the stunning, film-like quality that has been Leaf’s trademark for many years. The new CMOS sensor delivers an unsurpassed 14 f-stops of dynamic range provides unmatched detail, richness of color, low noise and beautiful tonality.

HIGH QUALITY LIVE VIEW

The use of the new CMOS sensor allows for improved Live View image quality with faster refresh rate ald low noise at almost every lighting conditions.

LONG EXPOSURES

The New Leaf Credo 50 digital back can capture virtually noise free images with exposures of up to 1 hour long.

WIDE SPECTURM

The Leaf Credo 50 is available also in Wide-Spectrum version, where the standard IR-cut filter has been replaced with an optically corrected glass. This new back delivers amazingly clean detail in a wider wavelength range due to high NIR sensitivity, high iso capability and excellent long exposures performance. Read more about the WS backs.

CAPTURE ONE SOFTWARE

You are now able to leverage the unique features and workflow environment of Capture One workflow software to optimize and enhance your images, create web galleries and print contact sheets directly from the computer. Together, the Leaf Credo 50 and Capture One are essential tools in producing the results you expect

The Leaf Credo 50 offers the best price-performance ratio of any high resolution, high iso single-shot capture device, enabling you to take your photography further by capturing the highest quality, single-shot images possible. The sensor provides the ability to record the finest detail, eliminating the need to use cumbersome multi-shot solutions.

TOTAL CONTROL FROM CAPTURE-TO-DELIVERY

The Leaf Credo 50 lets you shoot anywhere. Featuring a high resolution, touch 3.2” screen, enabling you t o view, inspect and edit your images under all kinds of challenging lighting conditions, both in-studio and outside, as well as offering a wide range of on-screen functions.

CAPTURE SPEEDS AS FAST AS 1.2 FRAMES PER SECOND

Providing the fastest image transfer speed through the use of advanced FireWire 800, USB 3.0 and UDMA CompactFlash technologies, the Leaf Credo 50 is built for speed.

Canon Explores Entry Into Medium Format Photography

Canon is planning to make a BIG splash at Photokina 2014 on September 12 in Cologne, Germany. The EOS-7D Mk II camera and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens will be announced around the first week of September. Perhaps a couple of EF-S lenses in the 18-300mm zoom range may also be included to compete with the recent Tamron offerings.

However, rumor has it Nikon is planning to announce a Medium Format camera some time near Photokina 2014, using Sony's 50MP CMOS sensor, to try and steal the thunder from Canon. There is no secret many camera manufacturers are exploring the MF arena as a new possibility to bring some excitement to their product line. Canon is eyeing Medium Format cameras as well and has been sending out feelers to their 'core users' with questions concentrating on image quality, lens and usage requirements.

As a wildlife photographer using Canon equipment for the last 25 years, I have made some observations and suggestions for my friends in Tokyo last year. Medium Format photography is, at best a niche product and should be left to much smaller companies. Canon should concentrate on their core business and make them even better.

MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon Has Big Plans For Photokina 2014

* * *  I am off on a photo shoot in the Pantanal, Brazil  * * *

Just got back from my wildlife photo shoot in Alaska. Very tired and trying to recover and get ready for the next one, next week. My sources have been busy checking around and they have informed me the second half of 2014 will be Canon's 'comeback' year. This is rather awkward for me to keep my readers up to date with the latest news since I have photo shoots scheduled for August and September in remote countries.

Canon plans to make a BIG splash at Photokina 2014 on September 12 in Cologne, Germany. Already I am quite certain the Canon EOS-7D Mk II camera and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens will be announced around the first week of September. Perhaps a couple of EF-S lenses in the 18-300mm zoom range may also be included to compete with the recent Tamron offerings.

However, rumor has it Nikon is planning to announce a Medium Format camera some time near Photokina 2014, using Sony's 50MP CMOS sensor, to try and steal the thunder from Canon. As a wildlife photographer using Canon equipment for the last 25 years, I have made some observations and suggestions for my friends in Tokyo. Medium Format photography is, at best a niche product and should be left to much smaller companies.

MichaelDanielHo.com