medium format news

[badpickev]

from the bjp

Fastest digital backs yet

Leaf will launch what it claims to be the world's fastest digital backs at the Photokina trade show next week.

The new Aptus-S range - which includes the 75S, 65S and 54S - are capable of shooting at up to 75fps in unlimited burst depths. The highest resolution back, the 75S - the sensor for which boasts 33 million pixels - can shoot at up to 1.1fps, which compares to 1.85fps delivered by its predecessor, the Aptus 75.

The capture rates have been achieved, says the Kodak-owned manufacturer, by improving on its image-processing hardware, doubling the CCDs' readout speeds and buffer size, and through compatibility with SanDisk's Extreme IV CompactFlash range and the new Firewire 800 standard. Like the Aptus backs introduced at Photokina two years ago, it also uses lossless image compression.

The backs offer sensitivity levels up to ISO800, and feature a built-in 6x7cm touch screen LCD, which allows users to click onto small sections of captured raw images, magnify them and make a detailed assessment.

Leaf says it is aware of increasing demand for improved shooting speeds and burst depth, and has designed the new range accordingly. In addition, it has updated its Capture workflow. Version 10.1 now includes live video and a temperature slider, among other new features. Windows PC users can now use v10 (but not yet v10.1), which is only compatible with Macintosh computers.

Leaf will be giving hands-on demos of the new range at its stand in Hall 5.1 at Photokina (www.photokina.de).

For further details visit www.leaf-photography.com.

[TB]IN BRIEF - THE NEW APTUS-S RANGE OF DIGITAL BACKSModel Res CCD size fps burst depth fpm ISOAptus 75S 33m 48x36mm 1.1 Unlimited 53 50-800Aptus 65S 28m 44x33mm 0.9 Unlimited 63 50-800Aptus 54S 22m 48x36mm 0.8 Unlimited 75 25-400[TE]

[John Roberts]

Holy cow! That's unreal 75fps? That's a movie camera.

[Sidebyte]

Yes, I read some time back that Leaf was acquired by Easman Kodak. All the B.S. about Kodak failing is fabricated. The diversed enterprises of Kodak are immense.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Originally Posted by badpickev

[...] The new Aptus-S range - which includes the 75S, 65S and 54S - are capable of shooting at up to 75fps in unlimited burst depths. The highest resolution back, the 75S - the sensor for which boasts 33 million pixels - can shoot at up to 1.1fps, which compares to 1.85fps delivered by its predecessor, the Aptus 75. [...]

That "capable of shooting at up to 75fps" should of course be 75 frames per minute. That jives with 60 x 1.1fps.