Mamiya launches Leaf Credo 40, 60 and 80 megapixel medium format camera backs

Medium format camera manufacturer Mamiya-Leaf has announced three new high resolution camera backs named the Leaf Credo. All of the new backs sport a specially designed DALSA CCD sensor, a touchscreen LCD display with Live View functionality for both tethered and untethered photography, and a dual-core microprocessor that's said to offer the fastest available image viewing, focusing and editing.

The monstrous 80 megapixel full-frame model with 53.7 x 40.4 mm CCD sensor has the same pixel count as the 2010 Aptus II 12R, but the new Credo doesn't come with the nifty Leaf Verto image rotation. It does get the same dynamic range of 12.5 f-stops and an improved ISO 35 - 800 sensitivity, though. This flavor offers a 0.7 frames per second capture speed and an exposure time from 1/10,000 of a second right up to two minutes. It's priced at a cool US$38,995.

A new size for Mamiya-Leaf, the 60 megapixel model features a 53.0 x 40.4 mm CCD sensor, ISO 50 - 800 sensitivity, a one frame per second capture speed at 3:4 aspect ratio, and the same dynamic range as the flagship model. This camera back has a $32,495 price tag.

Also with the same dynamic range as the other two Credo varieties, the 40 megapixel camera back features a 43.9 x 32.9 mm CCD sensor, and ISO 50 - 800 sensitivity. It has the fastest capture speed of the bunch at 1.2 frames per second and is markedly cheaper at $19,495.

Each camera back features a wonderfully detailed 3.2-inch, 1.15 million dot LCD touchscreen display with touch sensitivity that reaches beyond the visible display area to enable navigation and clicking outside of the image area. Users can verify focus and tonal accuracy using touch and it boasts a 170-degree viewing angle. It's said to be useable in all lighting conditions and benefits from an easy-to-use and intuitive user interface with four touch-buttons and enhanced navigation. There's enough room to preview up to 12 images at any one time with up to 400 percent zoom available, too.

The 3.85 x 3.14 x 2.42-inch (98 x 80 x 61.5 mm), 19.8 ounce (562g) camera backs also feature lossless 16-bit file compression for quicker file handling without loss of image quality, a built-in bi-directional (roll and pitch) spirit level, and are powered by a 2900 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. In addition to support for UDMA 6 CompactFlash media, the Credo models also come with FireWire 800, USB 2.0 and 3.0 connectivity.

They're compatible with the Mamiya 645DF camera, which boasts shutter speeds up to 1/4000 of a second and sync speeds of up to 1/1600 of a second with Schneider-Kreuznach-designed Leaf shutter lenses. Other supported legacy medium and large format cameras include the Hasselblad V and H and Contax medium format cameras, thanks to the four available mount options.

Mamiya says that the Credo range has been optimized for use with Capture One workflow software but the Leaf IIQ (intelligent image quality) RAW format files produced can be used in many third party applications such as Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom, and Iridient Raw Developer.

All of the new Credo camera backs will be available from June 2012.