Leaf America Press Release 29/03/04

Elmsford, NY - Leaf America and Mamiya, leaders in both the digital and analog photographic industry have teamed up to create the all-new Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Camera Solution for the U.S. market.

Since the start of the digital revolution, Leaf has focused its energy on the science of digital imaging, from capture to print. In fact, Leaf invented the first digital backs over ten years ago. Leaf is a product of Creo, one of the world’s largest producers of pre-press and printing equipment. It is this knowledge of the printing world that enables Leaf to produce state-of-the-art software to process digitally captured images without noise and artifacts.

Photographers see the benefit with the Leaf Capture V8 software, which converts captured files into clean, crisp images. According to Leaf, pixel count is less relevant than the quality of the file, and it is the Leaf software that makes the difference. In the traditional photographic world, Mamiya cameras and lenses have become the choice of today’s top professionals. Continuous innovation to create better, sharper images with truer color and contrast have kept Mamiya at the forefront of analog imaging. And, since Mamiya produces its own lenses, it is in a unique position to control every step in the design and manufacturing process to produce lenses that are ideally suited for both digital and film imaging.

Together, the seamless integration of the latest in high-tech digital imaging technology, coupled with the time proven optical performance of Mamiya cameras and lenses, create a unique synergy. The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Camera Solution represents the culmination of years of research and development between Leaf and Mamiya to bring an integrated imaging system to photographers that utilizes both digital and film imaging.

The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Solution is designed to have a neutral balance and natural feel when held in one hand, even when shifted between vertical and horizontal views or during operation of camera controls. When supported by only the neck strap, the camera retains a light, well-balanced feel.

The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Solution is offered in two versions; the Leaf Mamiya ProDigital 6 and Leaf Mamiya ProDigital 11. The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital 6 contains a six megapixel Leaf Valeo digital back, Mamiya 645 AFD camera and 80mm f/2.8 lens. This solution is ideal for portrait and wedding photography providing excellent image quality in sizes up to 24x30 inches. The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital 11 is complete with a Leaf Valeo 11 digital back, Mamiya 645 AFD camera and 80mm f/2.8 lens. This solution is designed for commercial and advertising photography and for applications requiring higher resolutions. Both solutions are fully compatible with Leaf’s complete portable solution, comprised of the Leaf Digital Magazine and the Leaf DP-67 detachable image display. The Leaf Digital Magazine offers five gigabytes of storage space on a single magazine to hold more than 350 images from the Leaf Mamiya ProDigital 6, and more than 200 images from the Leaf Mamiya ProDigital 11, all in 16-bit uncompressed Leaf HDR (High Dynamic Range) format. Firewire [IEEE1394] communication in the Digital Magazine makes the writing speed approximately three times faster than that of a compact flash or a micro drive.

The Leaf DP-67 display serves as the photographer’s digital proof. The large 6x7 cm, high-quality display provided by the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC, is an integral part of the Leaf DP-67 and can be detached from the Leaf Valeo back. The screen quality makes instant image and composition evaluation practical. Collaboration with the client or art director during a photographic session is facilitated as the photographer can use the Leaf DP-67 off-camera. The Leaf DP-67 also operates as the photographer’s light meter, viewing light box and contact sheet.

Whether in the studio or on location, all raw image data is captured in Leaf HDR (High Dynamic Range), a 16-bit, uncompressed file format. Unlike other portable cameras that store images in compressed JPEG format, the Leaf HDR format acts like a digital transparency. Images can be re-purposed for future use without any loss of the original captured data. Both camera solutions are also fully compatible with all Mamiya 645AFD accessories including a full selection of world-class autofocus lenses, and 120/220 film backs that offer photographers an extra level of versatility: the ability to switch to film whenever needed.

Leaf Valeo 6 for Mamiya 645AFD - 6MP Digital Camera Back

Specifications:

* Technology: Single exposure, full frame sensor technology
* Resolution: 6: 3150 x 2100 pixels
* Dynamic Range: 11 f-stops
* Color Depth: A/D 14-bit (16,384 levels per color)
* File Size: Leaf HDR 16-bit color depth: 38MB
RGB 8-bit: 18MB
CMYK 8-bit: 25MB
* Sensitivity: ISO 125-250
* Leaf Capture V8 Application: Main features: standard and advanced operating modes, Contact Sheet, Batch Processor, HDR 16-bit workflow, Video View, Leaf Digital
Layout ? sketch overlay, Scaling, Unsharp Masking, MagicAl ? color
alias eraser, Clone Brush, ICC color management and more
* Leaf oXYgen Application: Pre-press and color management application (optional)
* Portable Configuration: Leaf Digital Magazine: 5GB disk (image capacity - 4.5GB)
Leaf DP-67 (not included):
* 6 x 7 cm Digital Proof and photographic assistant application
* Color display: 3.9 in. (10 cm) diagonal; 64k color
* Features: Exposure meter, Histogram, Over/Under exposure indicators,
Contact Sheet, Zoom 1:1, ISO Speed, Develop Curve, ICC profile,
format ratio presets, gray balance presets and manual selection
Two lithium ion batteries plus charger, tripod adapter, AC adapter
* Minimum System Requirements: Mac G4, PowerBook G4 or iBook with FireWire interface
Mac OS 9 (OS X compatible)
ColorSync 2.6
FireWire driver 2.8
256MB RAM
Monitor 1024 x 768 pixels at 24-bits per color
* Cameras Supported:
Bronica ETRSi, Bronica SQAi, Contax 645 AF, Fuji GX-680 II, III
Hasselblad 500, EL & Superwide series, Horseman Digiflex 1, 2
Mamiya 645 AFD, Mamiya RZ-67 Pro II, Mamiya RB-67 Pro SD
Most 4x5 View Cameras
TrueWide
* Operating Conditions: Temperature: 0-50 C (32-122 F); Digital Magazine: 5-50 C
Humidity: 15-80% RH (non-condensing)
* Dimensions ? Digital Back: 3.7”(w) x 3.5”(h) x 2.2”(d)
* Weight: 450g (1 lb.)