Phase One XC40 Review : R. J. Kern in Iceland

Posted November 6, 2024

In News, Phase One, Phase One IQ4, Phase One Tip

Guest Author – R.J. Kern

Published : November 6, 2024

When I was 13, I bought a Swiss Army knife, roughly the length of a toothpick—it even had a toothpick inside! As an Eagle Scout, I wouldn’t call it my primary camping tool; that honor belonged to my trusty locking Buck knife, perfect for anything sizable. However, the Swiss Army knife, while small, packed a punch in terms of utility. It was an ideal pocket companion, while my “real” knife often remained at home, relegated to the status of a “belt” knife. More on that later.

Recently, I took my wife and two kids for a week-long family trip to Iceland. This wasn’t a “work” trip; it was a welcome break from my daily grind as a “working photographer,” where my focus lies in selling prints, writing grants, pitching commissions and exhibitions, and navigating a whirlwind of marketing and admin tasks. For context, I’ve been shooting fine art with a Phase One since 2012, primarily relying on Capture Integration as my dealer of choice (shout out to P30+, IQ140, IQ260, and now IQ4).

For my personal projects, I use a Phase One XF camera paired with a IQ4 digital back (151 MP). My favorite lenses: the Schneider 35mm LS f/3.5 AF lens and the Schneider 150mm LS f/2.8 AF lens. Yes, those are my politics.

The XC40 was graciously loaned to me for this review by Dave Gallagher at Capture Integration.

Pre-Trip Planning

Iceland Air can be finicky when it comes to luggage. Their carry-on restrictions limit you to 22 lbs (10 kgs), and let’s face it—excess baggage fees from the U.S. run at a hefty $120 each way. Yikes! In my ideal world, I’d simply bring the XC40 and a tripod, letting the constraints inspire my creativity. That was the plan.

A sunny evening in my Minneapolis neighborhood provided the perfect opportunity to familiarize myself with my new gear borrowed from Dave. When a few features didn’t work as intended, I consulted Brad, the in-house tech guru. He diagnosed that my older IQ4 back was lacking the latest firmware—an easy fix! After he walked me through a few best practices, my confidence was restored.

I felt like a kid on a new bike. The joy was in the process, not just the outcome. I dove in, pushing my gear to the limits, shooting directly into the sun and seeing what emerged.

However, the novelty wore off when I checked the focus on a few shots. The depth of field was shallower than I anticipated, triggering some PTSD from previous misfocuses on earlier Phase One systems (looking at you, DF!). Still, I discovered I could shoot ISO 400 and hand-hold at 1/30s at f/8 with acceptable results (see image above )—even though my son would have preferred I join him for a game of football instead of wrestling with the XC40.

My Experience with the XC40

For this review, I primarily treated the XC40 as a handheld point-and-shoot camera, using a tripod for long exposures about 15% of the time. To keep this concise, I’ll focus solely on the Phase One XC40 body itself, leaving discussions of the Phase One IQ4 back—which I already know delivers intuitive design, world-class build quality, and stellar image quality—out of the picture.

Strengths

Strength #1

Positive First Impressions

The XC40 showcases state-of-the-art technology with a travel-friendly design. Sure, it takes a minute to grasp, but mastering it could take a lifetime.

Strength #2

Portability

Its compact size and lightweight nature pleasantly surprised me, easily fitting into my “not-a-fanny-pack” man purse.

Strength #3

Robust Build Quality

Seamless integration with the IQ4 digital back left me feeling like I was engaging in a secret affair with my gear.

Strength #4

Natural Angle of View

Equipped with the quality of the Rodenstock HR Digaron-S 40mm lens, I enjoyed minimal distortion, capturing images that mirrored how I naturally perceive the world.

Strength #5

Compliments the IQ4

I’m not a huge fan of neutral-density filters; instead, framing and averaging techniques yielded beautifully smooth clouds and streams. It added a meditative quality to my photographs.

Strength #6

Power Draw

The XC40 conveniently draws power from the digital back, simplifying my setup. No more juggling multiple batteries, which is a major win when you’re hiking.

Strength #7

Leave It On

With the IQ4 back’s 19-second startup time, I enjoyed leaving it on during long hikes. It’s still quicker than dealing with film or tintypes!

Strength #8

Smooth Focus

The focus mechanism was perfectly smooth, although I found the focus knobs somewhat unnecessary given the knurling on the lens barrel.

Strength #9

Wooden Grip

The ergonomics of the XC40’s wooden handle are top-notch—only rivaled by the classic, hunky wooden grip of the Pentax 67. Plus, I appreciated the option to switch the handle from one side to the other.

Strength #10

X-Shutter-iffic

The quietly whispering x-shutter boasts impressive reliability. Trust me; the caribou won’t even flinch!

My Suggestions for Improvement

While the price tag raised some eyebrows, my issues with the XC40 were fewer than I expected.

Burning Man Flare: The 40mm lens is prone to flare—forget the romantic Canon 85 f1.2 flair; we’re talking about a hangover-inducing glare. On the bright side, I did capture a few unexpected rainbows. One concern, though, is the lens hood, which sometimes pops off while tucked in my waist bag, risking scratches to the glass. Oddly, you can’t use the hood and lens cap simultaneously. It’s one or the other.

‘Where’s Waldo’ Focus: Focusing through the screen sometimes felt like a game of “Where’s Waldo,” especially with the shallow depth of field typical of medium format. While my rangefinder instincts are usually on point, I missed a few critical shots, especially with moving subjects like kids and animals.

Blue Button Misses: I adored the sound of the X-shutter and the snazzy blue Capture One shutter button. However, the light half-press often triggered unwarranted photos—painful when I’m already operating on a “dollar-a-shot” mindset. I soon switched to using the back screen to confirm focus.

Not Weather-Proof: I purchased a Think Tank Photo Emergency Rain Cover for wet conditions, but the entire touch-screen interface can be finicky with raindrops. I kept a lens cloth handy, but I wouldn’t trust the XC40 in serious downpours—especially not loaned gear!

Conclusion

As I prepped for the trip, my inner Eagle Scout urged me to be prepared. I ended up bringing both the XC40 and my trusty XF to Iceland. I’m glad I did. Telling my wife, “Honey, you can’t knit on this trip” would be the same as leaving my camera behind. Naturally, I had to push myself, and I loved every second.

The XC40 encouraged me to create more photographs than I anticipated—an undeniable win. Its simplicity played a massive role in this.

Reflecting on my experience, I recalled an interview with Matt Eich in Lenscratch. He said, “When it comes time to make, you don’t want to be caught up in the technical; you want to be in a somewhat Zen state, so the camera is less of a barrier between you and what is unfolding and more of a conduit for channeling a shared experience.” This philosophy resonates deeply with me.

I want my camera to feel like a natural extension of my hand. Viewing the world through my lens should be an immersive experience—not just looking at a screen.

I’ve spent years with my XF and genuinely love it. Like typing this article fluidly, my XF has become an extension of me. The XC40, meanwhile, feels like a thrilling new fling.

As my wife said during our early days: “Honey, you can look at the menu, but you must eat at home.”

And I’m glad I still do.

EXTRA CREDIT: Same Back, Two Views

For my long-term project, “The Last Fair,” I rely on a Phase One IQ4 medium format back mounted on a Phase One XF camera with a Schneider Kreuznach 35mm LS Blue Ring f/3.5 AF lens. Shooting at f/9, this setup delivers sharp, vivid colors, and a dynamic range that sings. I found myself curious to compare the XC40—the same digital back with two different camera systems and only a 5mm angle of view difference.