Product of the Month – Leica Coffee Cup

Posted on 2013/06/17 10:00 AM by Rob Baker / No comments

Here at the CI office, coffee is a key component of each and every workday. Capture Integration is excited to offer the limited-edition Leica coffee travel mugs – available in Noctilux-M 50mm or Summarit-S 70mm. Now those Canon lens mug owners finally have some competition. Available for purchase now in our online store. Place your order today, while supplies last.

Leica Coffee Cups

Leica Coffee Mug | Capture Integration

Profoto and Capture One Pro – Integration Plug-in

Posted on 2013/06/17 7:00 AM by Rob Baker / No comments

Profoto Phase One Capture IntegrationPhase One has released a unique capture and light integration solution together with Profoto. Capture. Light. Integration. Sound familiar??

With this, Capture One now makes it possible for photographers to link their Profoto studio light to the aperture or ISO settings of their DSLRs or Phase One 645DF+ cameras (with IQ backs only). When shooting tethered via Capture One, the studio light can automatically be adjusted when changes are made to the aperture or ISO settings of the camera.

With this flexibility, adjusting a scene’s lighting is simplified; the photographers’ workflow will be enhanced, time can be saved and focus set on taking pictures.

Early First Impressions

Here are some notes from our first impressions. Keep in mind, this is the first release of a brand-new plugin. In our limited testing, we have found both success and hiccups. Stay posted for further developments.

  • Phase One Requirements: plug-in requires DF+ camera body and Phase One IQ1 or IQ2 Digital Back
  • Profoto Requirements: Profoto lights with built-in Air Remote Control, Profoto Air Sync, Profoto USB Air Dongle
  • This plug-in is an upgrade over the previous Profoto Studio plug-in – providing the new Aperture control.
  • Initial installation can be buggy. After the plug-in is installed – wait several minutes for proper communication.
  • Known issue: Using a V-Grip with this setup is not reliable. If the aperture is adjusted on the camera, it may lock-up aperture control.
  • Known issue: When managing large groups of lights, power changes made from the software can cause ALL values to change – instead of independent group changes.
  • Known Issue: Lights can be dialed in to negative values. When triggered at negative values, heads will fire at FULL POWER.

Capture Light Integration

Capture One Pro Tool

Official Press Release

A Powerful New Tethered Shooting Option with Capture One Pro

Phase One and Profoto today announced that their technical collaboration has produced an unprecedented integration of simultaneous image capture and light control.

Now photographers can link their Profoto studio light to the aperture or ISO settings of their DSLR or medium format camera system. While shooting tethered in Capture One Pro, any changes to the aperture on the camera will cause the light intensity of the studio light to automatically compensate an equivalent f-stop. For example, if the photographer switches from f/8 to f/5.6, the light will drop one f-stop, so that the image is not overexposed. The solution lets photographers easily define which groups of lights should be included in the linking, making it a powerful and flexible work tool.

“Capture One Pro was designed to satisfy the needs of professional photographers,” said Henrik O. Håkonsson, CEO & President, Phase One. “Our collaboration with Profoto and the success of our capture and lighting integrations offer unprecedented lighting control during capture. This solution is especially great for portrait photographers who want to vary their depth of field; they can just turn the aperture dial and the light intensity will follow to ensure the right exposure.”

Anders Hedebark, CEO, Profoto added: “Since our initial capture and lighting integration projects with Phase One, photographers have encouraged us to do more in this area. Capture One Pro is a great platform from which to empower our customers with better tools to manage their professional light gear.”

Two years ago, the companies announced their first image capture and light control integration solution available in Capture One Pro 6. It provided remote access for wireless control of Profoto lighting equipment from within the Capture One application.

Download Here

http://www.profoto.com/capture-one

Prerequisites

The use of Profoto Studio Plugin requires the Capture One Pro 7.1.2.or Capture One DB (Digital Back) 7.1.2 or later, a Profoto Air USB transceiver and any of the following compatible Profoto products:

  • Pro-8 Air
  • D4 Air
  • D1 Air
  • Pro-B4 Air

The solution works with all Profoto lights with built-in Air Remote Control. For a list of compatible cameras please refer to: http://www.phaseone.com/camerasupport

 

Phase One IQ1 and IQ2 Firmware Updates

Posted on 2013/06/17 7:00 AM by Rob Baker / No comments

Phase One IQ firmware | Capture IntegrationNew firmware versions will be released for both the IQ2 and IQ1 at the same time as the announcement of the Profoto capture and light integration. The IQ2 firmware highlights include improved performance and stability.

The big news for the IQ1 firmware is that the new version adds support for the long awaited USB connectivity. This new firmware is also required for the IQ1 backs to function with the new Profoto capture and light integration solution.

Downloads

Capture Integration recommends reading full release notes before installing new firmware

Phase One IQ2 Firmware 5.04.6

Firmware version 5.04.6 for IQ260, IQ280, and IQ260 Achromatic digital backs

  • This firmware specifically corrects an issue with Wi-FI Adhoc mode, where Adhoc mode had difficulty starting up if no other networks where within range.

Phase One IQ1 Firmware 5.00.51

Firmware version 5.00.51 ads new functionality to all IQ1 series digital backs:

USB2 and USB3 Support

With the IQ1 series you can now capture tethered into Capture One 7.1.2 or later via the USB2 or USB3 port. USB3 cable length is limited to 3m which is also what Phase One recommends for both USB2 and USB3 Charging of the battery is not supported due to the limited power on the USB bus, so running continuously on USB, will require you to recharge your battery now and then.

Profoto Automatic Light Control

Requires a 645DF+ camera with firmware version 2.20 or later and Capture One 7.1.2 or later – the Light control installs as a plugin to Capture One 7.1.2 and is compatible with all newer Profoto Air systems. Aperture or ISO can be locked to one or more groups of light, and changing aperture or ISO on the camera will change the light intensity accordingly.

Additional Improvements available with Firmware version 5.00.51 if upgrading from firmware version older than 3.03

Firmware version 3.03 was a service release with some minor stability improvements and corrections for all IQ1 series digital backs. Among this, it specifically corrects the following issues:

  • Exif info time stamp showing one hour offset in some regions is now corrected
  • Fix for for long exposure issues on technical cameras
New Features
  • All 10 languages fully integrated (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Swedish)
  • Support for iXR/IXA camera
  • Browsing, zooming and panning is now possible in the last 10 images when shooting tethered to the computer
  • Custom White Balance 1,2,3 in digital back can now be set in tethered mode
  • Zooming and panning in not yet stored images are now possible on the digital back
  • Custom background can be uploaded as an image (backgrnd.bmp or backgrnd.tif) on the CF card
  • User can now adjust the offset for roll and pitch.
Reliability
  • Camera interface is in general more robust for third party cameras.
  • Improved two-shot noise rejection on trigger pulse, when using third party equipment
  • Battery lifetime in cold weather is improved significantly
  • General stability improvements
  • Known limitations: Lexar 400x 256GB CF card is not supported

Additional fixes if upgrading from version 1.47

  • 9 New languages available in the Menu > Language (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese)
  • 645DF camera control from Capture One
  • 645DF custom settings control from the IQ digital back
  • New Splash Screen option in Menu > Display > Splash Screen for display of custom image (up to 800 x 480 px) at startup.
  • Support for Schneider Kreuznach USB controlled shutter (Native – no need for special setting)
  • New Aerial setting in Menu > Camera Mode for use with special Aerial applications.
  • General speed improvements for all IQ digital backs, especially on the H platform.
  • General stability improvements for all IQ digital backs

Additional fixes if upgrading from version 1.33

  • Fixes an issue where IQ back would lock up with “No DB” displayed in the 645DF LCD, requiring a hard reboot of camera and digital back.
  • Digital back will now correctly charge battery to 100% via FireWire
  • Fixes an issue on IQ back for Hasselblad V, where starting capture from within Capture One was not possible on a 555 ELD camera.
  • General improved stability

Additional fixes if upgrading from firmware version 1.19

  • Live View is now available on the IQ display (see separate white paper)
  • IIQ Small file format is now available
  • New Specific camera mode for Mamiya RZ PRO IID
  • General stability improvements

 

Special Phase One Promotion: P45+ to IQ260

Posted on 2013/06/14 2:00 PM by Rob Baker / No comments

Phase One P45 Upgrade to IQ260

 

The Phase One P45+ has been one of the best-selling digital backs of all time. The combination of Phase One’s sleeping architecture, amazing processing technology, and Kodak’s unique CCD sensor design yielded a capture quality that we had never seen before in the photographic process. For many discerning photographers, this combination was what they had been waiting for in the digital capture medium. Never before had we been able to take a noise free 30 minute exposure. The physical size and the 39mp resolution finally equaled, if not exceeded, their 4×5 film output. And due to these factors, an incredible number of shooters became Phase One P45+ digital back owners.

Unfortunately, that year was 2007. Six years is a long time in digital technology. Kodak filed Chapter 11. Resolutions in CCD’s have doubled. Sensors have dramatically improved in ISO sensitivity. Full frame 645 format CCD’s have been here for years. And the user interface of the new digital backs are stunning. However, one major technology advancement had eluded us. Even with all these other advancements, the longest exposure possible with the Dalsa CCD’s have been 2 minutes at ISO 35. Yes, at ISO 35. During this time so many of our P45+ users have been salivating over the new feature sets knowing that without long exposure abilities, there was no way to obtain the same quality that they were getting out of their present system.

Finally the waiting is over. The Phase One IQ260′s began shipping last week. And we now have a combination of all the feature sets that make the Phase One system the best-selling digital back in the world, along with the proprietary technology of Phase and Dalsa to yield hour-long exposures. And on top of this, Phase One has offered a price reduction to Phase One P45+ users to help them facilitate this upgrade. From now until the end of June, P45+ users can upgrade to the new IQ260 for as little as $490 a month. You now can have a full frame sensor, huge touch screen LCD, untethered Live Preview, wireless preview to an iPad without a computer, 55% more resolution, up to 3200 ISO, and a lot more than I can list, for less a month than it costs for a single day of rental. If you are thinking about this upgrade, then the time to place the order is now. Please give us a call in get in the queue. You will be happy that you did.

 

Sample Files

These sample images show the lens factor difference (1.1 vs full frame) & capture quality of the different sensor types. Click the image to see a full size jpeg, or download the RAW files below.

  • Phase One P45+
  • Phase One IQ260

Phase One P45H

Phase One IQ260

 

Download Phase One P45+ RAW (EIP) – 43MB
Download Phase One IQ260 RAW (EIP) – 63MB
*NOTE: You may need to right click & choose “Save Link As…”

Financing

Request a Phase One Quote

Capture Integration offers several competitive financing options. Financing provides a great opportunity to manage your budget and stay current with the newest technology. All financing options are subject to a credit check. Please contact our sales team if you have any questions regarding the financing opportunities.

$22,563 Funding amount

  • 24 months – As low as $1,075
  • 36 months – As low as $750
  • 48 months – As low as $585
  • 60 months – As low as $490
 

P45 / P45+ / IQ260 Specification Table

 

P45 P45+ IQ260
Sensor 49.1mm x 36.8mm 49.1mm x 36.8mm 53.9mm x 40.4mm
Lens Factor 1.1 1.1 Full Frame
Pixel Size 6.8 microns 6.8 microns 6.0 microns
Resolution 39MP 39MP 60MP / 15MP (Sensor+)
ISO 50, 100, 200, 400 50-800 50-800 / 200-3200 (Sensor+)
Exposure Time 20 minutes 60 minutes 60 minutes
Display 2.2″ QVGA with 230,000 pixels display 2.2″ QVGA with 230,000 pixels display 3.2″ touch screen with 1.15MP display
Wireless N/A N/A Wireless connectivity with iOS Devices

 

Capture Pilot 1.4 Released

Posted on 2013/06/14 1:26 PM by Josh / No comments

Capture Pilot 1.4

 
Phase One has recently released Capture Pilot 1.4 and is available through the App store on your iOS device. This update features bug fixes & stability improvements, as well as usability improvements, a more informative histogram, and a new Camera Control Only mode.

New Features

  • Camera Remote Only mode
  • Improved Histogram
  • Additional camera status and alerts for IQ260
  • Tapping arrow instant photo change

After working with the new Capture Pilot 1.4 update, it seems quick and responsive. Adding to that quickness is a User Interface (UI) tweak that allows you to instantly change to the next/previous photo by touching an arrow instead of sliding the photo and waiting for the slide animation to finish. This update also features an improved histogram which displays basic capture information such as ISO, Shutter speed, and Aperture (see below).

Capture Pilot 1.3 Histogram Capture Pilot 1.4 Histogram
Capture Pilot 1.3 Capture Pilot 1.4
There’s also additional information from the Camera Control module, if you have purchased the in-app purchase. It works specifically with the new IQ260 digital back and shows battery level, remaining shots, and other important details regarding the camera status. Capture Pilot 1.4 Camera Info

Last but not least there is a new Camera Remote Only mode when tethered to an IQ260 back. This shows up as a separate server once enabled from the digital back. On the IQ260, you must go to Menu > Wifi > Settings > Capture Pilot > Enable Capture Remote > On to see the additional server, designated by the Camera icon (see below).

NOTE: If this option is turned off, the Capture Only server will disappear, but you CAN still remotely capture from the other server, provided the permissions are set to ON in the Menu > Wifi > Settings > Capture Pilot menu.
 

This update may seem to lean heavily towards just the IQ2 digital backs over other systems, but the wireless capabilities of the IQ2 series makes this is an extremely beneficial update. For example, if you are out in the field (or literally, a field) and there is no computer or WIFI network around, you can create an ad-hoc network for your iPhone or iPad to remotely connect and capture with your digital back. Even still the overall stability, speed, and UI improvements will benefit digital back and DSLR shooters alike. Head over to your iTunes App Store to download the app or click here to grab it!

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re here to help!

Troubleshooting the Capture Integration Phone System

Posted on 2013/06/13 4:11 PM by Rob Baker / No comments

We are sorry to report that our 404-522-7662 phone number is currently experiencing an outage. Our resident phone specialist Sam Mai is on the case. In the meantime, you can always reach us through the toll free 877-217-9870 or via email. We hope to be up and running very soon!

Phase One IQ260 Achromatic In Action

Posted on 2013/06/13 2:35 PM by Louis Novak / No comments

Phase One IQ260 Achromatic

The IQ260 Achromatic back, is the new all Monochrome digital back from Phase One. One thing that sets Capture Integration apart from the rest of our competitors is our no nonsense approach to determining the difference between actual quality or marketing fluff.  It is very important that each team member uses each piece of equipment and learns how they perform and where they fail.  So we were very excited to test the first IQ260 prototype to determine if the “highest quality capture device” on the market lived up to it’s hype.

Lets talk in layman’s terms about the technology first.  The IQ260 Achromatic is missing two important elements of a normal digital capture device; its IR filter and the Bayer filter array.  CCD’s sensitivity are extreme.  They can “record” much more than the visible spectrum.  In order to get sharp imagery, the manufacturer places a “cut” filter over the CCD that only allows the visible spectrum to pass through.  The Achromatic, however, only has a clear protective glass over the CCD making sensitive to both UV and near infrared wavelengths.  Secondly, a CCD pixel can not record the actual wavelength of light.  It is essentially color blind only recoding a charge from exposure to photons.  In order to achieve color, each individual pixel has a color filter array (red, green, or blue) and these filtered exposure values are then interpolated with intense mathematical algorithms to intelligently guess at color (CFA Interpolation).  The Achromatic has a monochrome CCD.  There is no bayer pattern applied, and the result is a pure smooth exposure from one pixel to the next.

Here is a link to the specifications: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic

What to look for in this test:

  • No CFA interpolation gives a pure black and white image
  • The elimination of a filter array yields smoother tones/gradations
  • A large reduction in moiré patterns
  • 2 more stops of light without compromising noise (Base ISO 200)
  • Smoother edge definition
 

Click here to Download RAW files for this test

 

Testing Notes for Resolution Chart

  • Phase One 645DF body shot at 1/125 sec
  • Phase One IQ260 Achromatic at ISO 200
  • Phase One P65+ ISO 50
  • Phase One 80mm LS lens f/11
  • Profoto Acute Strobes
  • Cambo Copy Stand
  • 486 UV-IR Cut filter used on the Phase One IQ260 Achromatic
For a more detailed view, click on an image to enlarge it.

Phase One IQ260 Achromatic Chart
Above: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200

 
The lack of the color filter array means that the Phase One IQ260 is not prone to Moire issues as compared to a sensor with a filtered sensor.

Click the image below to open it in a new browser window. Most internet browsers will scale the image at first (skewing the results), and you may need to click on it again to view at 100%.

Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Phase One P65+ ISO 50
Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Phase One P65+ ISO 50

Base ISO

The Base ISO on the Phase One IQ260 Achromatic is ISO 200 as compared to the base ISO of 50 on the Phase One P65+. The noise level is on par with the noise level of the Phase One P65+. The advantage of this giving you 2 stops more light without the loss of quality.

Left: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200,   Right: Phase One P65+ ISO 50
Left: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Right: Phase One P65+ ISO 50

 Tonality

Without the need to interpolate color, smoother tonality and gradations are possible.

Phase One IQ260 Achromatic
Phase One IQ260 Achromatic

 

Left: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Right: Phase One P65+ ISO 200
Left: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Right: Phase One P65+ ISO 200

Detail

Patterns in wood grain are details that can easily be overlooked and missed. With the Phase One P65+, the detail in the wood is faint and blends together. With the Phase One IQ260 Achromatic back, the wood grain really stands out and gives life and character to the cabinets.

Left: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Right: Phase One P65+ ISO 200
Left: Phase One IQ260 Achromatic ISO 200, Right: Phase One P65+ ISO 200

The new Phase One IQ260 demo units are here!

Posted on 2013/06/10 10:42 AM by Rob Baker / No comments

Phase One IQ260 Demo UnitsYou know that it’s going to be a busy Monday morning when three brand new Phase One IQ260 digital backs greet you before the workday begins. The demo units are finally here – stay tuned to our blog for upcoming tests from these exciting new backs.

Is there a specific test that you’d like to see from the Phase One IQ260?

Contact us here to submit your requests.

Live View Control with DF+ Firmware 10.2 and Capture One 7.1.2

Posted on 2013/06/07 4:19 PM by Zac Henderson / No comments

Breakthrough in Live View Control

Capture Integration | Capture One Pro

With the new firmware release 2.10 for the Phase One & Mamiya DF+ and the newest version of Capture One Pro 7.1.2, it is now possible for Capture One Pro to have more control over the camera system during live view.

Previously, the steps to activate Live View while using a DF or DF+ body involved setting the body to “T” or time mode – and manually opening the shutter. With the DF+ firmware 2.10 and Capture One version 7.1.2, you can now simply click the live view button in Capture One while at any shutter speed and Capture One will automatically raise the mirror and open the shutter, allowing for quicker and more intuitive live view use.

This feature is only available on the DF+ and Phase One Dalsa sensor based digital backs such as the P40+, P65+, and IQ series. We will continue to test the parameters on additional systems.

It is important to note that Live View cannot be initiated in the same way as it was previously. Using “T” mode and then activating Live View will not produce an image. The correct way to initiate Live View is to simply set the camera to a standard shutter speed and click the live view activation button in Capture One. The camera is now ready for LIve View. Stay posted to the Capture Integration blog for any further developments.

 

Leica Announces Leica S-Adapter C

Posted on 2013/05/31 11:50 AM by Rob Baker / No comments

leica S contax adapter capture integrationLeica Camera is pleased to introduce the Leica S-Adapter C which will be available from this June. With this adapter, Contax 645 lenses can be used with the Leica S (Typ007), Leica S2 and Leica S2-P cameras. The adapter enables owners of the Contax 645 system to switch effortlessly to the Leica S System. The biggest upside to this release is the ability to use autofocus. Please contact our sales team if you  would like to learn more about this exciting announcement.

The Leica S-Adapter C retails at $1,950. Scheduled to begin shipping in June.

The Leica S-Adapter C when used with Contax 645 lenses on any of the Leica S cameras offers the following:

  • Autofocus and manual focus with focus confirmation
  • Automatic aperture
  • Using the EXIF data of lenses of Contax 645 system
  • Use of corrective lens profiles for the Contax 645 system when converting the RAW files in Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop

When using the adapter with Contax 645 lenses, the aperture is selected with the manual mode or the automatic setting of the camera.

The Leica S-Adapter C supports the following lenses from the Contax 645 system:

  • Distagon T* 3.5 / 35 mm
  • Distagon T* 2.8 / 45 mm
  • Distagon T* 3.5 / 55 mm
  • Planar T* 2.8 / 80 mm
  • Apo-Makro-Planar T* 4 / 120 mm
  • Sonnar T* 2.8 / 140 mm
  • Sonnar T* 4 / 210 mm
  • Tele-Apotessar T* 4 / 350 mm
  • Vario-Sonnar T* 4.5 / 45-90 mm
  • Mutar 1.4x T*
  • Auto Extension Ring 13 mm
  • Auto Extension Ring 26 mm
  • Auto Extension Ring 52 mm

The Leica S-Adapter C does not support auto-focus for the following components:

  • Apo-Makro-Planar T*4 / 120 mm as it is a MF lens
  • Automatic bellows