high end digital

high end SLRs

my tips for buying a digital camera
medium format cameras
Leaf
Alpa (Swiss camera bodies)
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/digital-view.shtml

High end digital:

introduction:
- 39mp digital backs are sufficient for most commercial needs including:
  - billboard size posters
  - high quality double page magazine spreads
  - 30" x 40" gallery quality prints and larger with interpolation
- but the problem with most medium format backs are they are usually cropped sensors, smaller than a 6x4.5 film size, thus wide angle shots become problematic.
high-end non-full frame 35mm digital cameras:
- Nikon DX size (15.6x23.7mm 1.5x crop) sensors:
  - Nikon D2H (July 2003):
    - no flash; 8fps x 40 pics; time-lapse; 2.5" 211,000pixel LCD with 30x playback zoom via firmware update; no GPS; 1150g;
  - Nikon D2Hs (Feb 2005):
    - as for D2H except 235,000pixel LCD; bigger buffer, GPS-enabled; wireless FTP-enabled;
  - Nikon D1x (Feb 2001):
    - 5.3mpixel; 3fps x9 RAW; 1/16000th sec; ISO 125-800; no USB; firewire; GPS-enabled; 1.2kg;
  - Fuji S2 Pro (Jan 2002):
    - 6.1mpixels; 2fps x7 RAW; 1/4000th sec; pop-up flash; timelapse; 1.8" 117,000p LCD; 850g;
  - Fuji S3 Pro (Feb 2004):
    - 6or12mpixels; wide dynamic range; 2" 235,000p LCD; 930g;
    - no Bulb; shutter 1/4000th sec - 30sec; flash GN 15m; exp. comp. +/- 3EV; AA batteries;
  - Fuji S3 Pro UVIR:
    - announced Aug 2006, will be $US1800 and specifically designed for UV and IR work with a 30sec live preview as with the S3 Pro digital SLR it is based on.
    - see http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06080904fujifilms3prouvir.asp
  - Fuji S5 Pro (2007):
    - body based on the Nikon D200; 6 or 12mp Fuji sensor; wide dynamic range; live preview;
    - Bulb; shutter 1/8000th sec - 30sec; Nikon's MultiCAM1000 AF; flash GN 12m; exp. comp. +/- 5EV;
    - no longer has timelapse recording, firewire, AA batteries or xD cards; 2.5" LCD; Lithium battery; ISO 3200;
  - Nikon D2X (Sept 2004, available mid-2005?):
    - 12.2 mpixel; 5fps x15 RAW; 8fps x26 cropped RAW; 1/8000th sec; 11 AF points; ext. WB sensor; 2.5cm 235,000pixel LCD with 30x playback zoom; GPS-enabled; wireless FTP enabled; improved useability with MF Nikkor lenses; 1.15kg; can print to 38"x57" prints acceptably well & better than 35mm film although some CA. Lower ISO noise than D70 esp. at 400-800 ISO;
    - seems can do 3hr exposures with auto-dark frame subtraction and only minimal noise at least at ISO 100, but you can only do one 30-60min exposure on a fully charged battery.
    - see http://www.naturfotograf.com/D2X_rev00.html
    - $A8000
  - Nikon D2Xs (mid-2006):
    - minor upgrade to D2x incl. 12.4mpixel, better TFT screen, better AF, and other minor upgrades;
  - Nikon D200 (Dec 2005):
    - 10.2mpixel; 5fps x 22RAW; 2.5" LCD screen; 1005pixel 3D colour matrix metering system II; 50ms shutter lag; 11 area AF with options such as Closest Subject Priority AF; i-TTL; wifi image transmission option; 1800 photos per battery charge + battery gauge in 1% increments; weather sealed; magnesium alloy; RGB histogram; ?only 4x playback zoom??; $US1700 RRP;
  - Nikon D300 (Dec 2007):
    - 12.3mp, DX, 6fps (8fps with opt. multipower pack), sensor dust cleaning at last, 51pt AF,
    - 3" VGA LCD & live preview with AF as with D3. 825g excl. battery;
    - $US1799;
  - Sony A700 (late 2007):
    - 12mp, 5fps, 11pt AF, CCD-shift IS, dust protection, 3" VGA LCD, weathersealed, 24-160mm kit lens BUT no live preview
    - Minolta mount lenses;
- APS-H 1.3x crop:
  - Canon 1D Mark II (Jan 2004):
    - 28.7 x 19.1mm 1.3x crop sensor; 8.2mpixel; 8.5fps x20 RAW; time-lapse; 2" 230,000 pixel LCD; weatherproof; 1.57kg; $A7150;
  - Canon 1D Mark IIN (late 2005):
    - as above but 22 RAW burst, 2.5"LCD, dual CF, SD slots allow separate RAW, jpeg recording;
    - shutter should do 200,000 cycles; optional wireless; $US3999 list;
  - Canon 1D Mark III (mid-2007):
    - 1.3x crop sensor; 10mp; 10fps x 110 jpegs or 30 RAW; up to 6400ISO; 19 cross pt AF with 26 assist pts; 14bit; 3" LCD with live preview; sensor cleaner; 63 zone metering; 300,000 cycle shutter;
    - 10fps only achievable at shutter speeds 1/500th sec or shorter.
    - buffer holds 48-54 jpegs (but only ~14 if NR on), and if fast CF card burst can reach 110 jpegs but much less if NR on.
    - live preview mode has no AF but reduces shutter noise in burst mode by about 60-70% to my ears.
    - 10Mb RAW files; sRAW files for shooting with jpegs have 1/4 the resolution.
    - optional wireless allows shooting or live preview directly to FTP or HTTP server or can shoot directly to an external USB drive from it
    - optional 3rd party GPS USB dongle to record GPS data.
    - one of the best for photojournalism & sports photography;
    - cons:
      - no inbuilt intervalometer;
      - no on-demand grids - must buy focussing screen;
      - said to be louder than the 1D Mark IIN.
      - AWB not as accurate as FujiS5Pro for artificial lighting;
      - battery charger very large;
      - annoying sensor cleaning animation;
      - some top LCD's are too dim;
      - issues with SDHC speed - seems best to use 2Gb Extreme III SD cards rather than the 4Gb ones.
      - inability to use the AF-ON button to access a home AF point
      - inability to use the multi-controller for direct (other than registered) AF access
    - RRP $US4999 or $A6400
    - http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=312
- Sigma SD14 (2007):
  - 4.6mp in 3 color layers or 14mp interpolated Foveon sensor;
  - 1.7x crop; Sigma lens mount; dust protector; 5pt AF; 3fpsx7;
- Leica M8 (2006):
  - 1.33x crop; rangefinder (not SLR) using Leica M lenses. 2fps; max. 1/8000th sec; 1/250th x-sync; SD cards;
  - see http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/leica-m8.shtml
35mm full-frame sensor digital cameras:
- benefits:
  - true wide angle views with wide angle lenses
  - dynamic range is generally wider and noise is lower
  - shallower DOF for better portraiture
  - ability to use perspective control devices such as:
    - Cambo Ultima 35 $US3999
- Kodak digital SLRs - no longer produced:
  - Kodak DCS 14N (Sept 2002):
    - 13.7mpixel; ISO 80-640; pop-up flash; 1.7fps x8; timelapse; 1kg;
  - Kodak DSC SLR/n (Feb 2004):
    - 13.5mpixel; ISO 160-1600; pop-up flash; 1.7fps x18; timelapse; 1kg; - slow; moire; 1.7fpsx17RAW;
- Canon 1Ds (Sept 2002):
  - 11mpixel; 3fps x10 RAW; 2" 120,000pixel LCD; only 1 step zoom playback; 1.59kg;
- Canon 1Ds Mark II:
  - 17mpixel; 4fps x11 RAW; 1/8000th sec; X-sync 1/250th; RGB histogram; 10x playback zoom; 1.2kg.
  - unfortunately, even the Canon L series lenses do not have sufficient resolution to match this sensor, the situation will only be worse when Canon bring out a 22mp version
  - see http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/digital-view.shtml
  - $A13,000;
- Canon 5D (late 2005):
  - 12.8mpixel, full frame, 3fps for 17 RAW, 9pt AF, no AF assist, 3.5% spot meter, X-sync 1/200th; 2.5" 230,000pixel LCD; RGB histogram; no flash but E-TTLII;
  - 895g w batt; 12bit RAW; RAW+ separate jpeg; optional wireless; $US3299;
- Canon 1Ds Mark III (late 2007)
  - 156 pixels per mm may need new range of lenses to cope with the increased resolution.
  - Similar feature set to the 1DIII except:
    - full frame, 21mp (5616x3744 pixels);
    - no 6400 ISO mode;
    - only 5fps or 3fps but no 10fps.
    - max. burst reduced to 45 jpegs or 15RAW
    - 1,205g w/o battery
  - http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=15710
- Nikon D3 (late 2007):
  - similar to Canon 1DMIII except near-full frame FX size sensor (36x23.9mm) at 12.9mp (4256x2832 pixels)
  - 9fps x 64jpgs; 14bit;
  - 51pt AF incl. 15 cross-hair type; AF calibration for up to 20 lenses;
  - 3" LCD with VGA resolution (= 640x480=307,200pixels); dual CF slots;
  - 1240g excl. battery; 1390g incl. battery; HDMI video out; 10pin remote control/GPS terminal;
  - Live Preview with AF:
    - handheld mode - via 51pt AF system via mirror up/down as in Olympus/Canon.
    - tripod mode - uses sensor contrast detection AF but can choose any point to AF on
    - no mention if can zoom in on a region to assist MF though or whether exposure option for WYSIWYG.
  - exposure bracketing only +/- 1EV;
  - virtual horizon display;
  - can use DX lenses in DX crop mode with AF at 10fps or no AF-tracking at 11fps;
  - ISO 100-25600;
  - still no sensor dust protection or sensor-based image stabiliser option.
  - $US4999;
  - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082312nikond3.asp
- Nikon D3X (late 2008):
  - 25mp pro camera; much more expensive than the 1DsMIII.
- Sony a900 (late 2008):
  - 25mp pro camera with CCD-shift image stabiliser but no live preview and no movie mode
- Canon 5DMII (late 2008):
  - 21mp entry level full frame with HD video (but no AF during video)
- Sony a850 (late 2009):
  - 25mp entry level full frame with CCD-shift image stabiliser but no live preview and no movie mode
  - weathersealing; 9pt AF with dual cross centre point and 10 assist sensors; 98% viewfinder view;
  - ISO 100-6400; 30sec-1/8000th sec; 1/250th flash sync; 3fps burst; AV or HDMI video out; 850g body;
  - $US2000 body only - ~25% cheaper than the a900 and you really give up only on these - 3 fps not 5 fps, the viewfinder shows 98% coverage rather than 100%, there is a very slight difference to the body's metal finish, and the remote control cable is now an optional extra.
  - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09082705sonya850.asp
Leica S super-full frame system:
- announced Sept 2008
- based on 30x45mm 3:2 aspect ratio sensor which is 56% larger than 35mm full frame
- multiply lens focal length by 0.8 to get the 35mm equivalent field of view
- new series of weatherproofed S lenses and CS lenses with AF and fulltime MF optimised for the sensor including:
  - 24mm ultrawide, 35mm f/2.5 wide, 70mm f/2.5 standard, 100mm short tele, 120mm f/2.5 macro, 180mm telephoto, and 30mm tilt-and-shift (not AF)
  - have either 72mm (120mm & 180mm lenses) or 82mm (35mm & 70mm lenses) filter threads
- Leica S2:
  - 16bit, 37.5mp, 6 micron photosites, 1.5 fps x 8 RAW DNG, ISO 80-1250, 1.4kg body
  - 460,000 dot LCD, in-camera jpegs (most medium format do dot have this option)
  - single central cross-hair AF sensor point, lenses have full time MF
  - HSS flash to 1/4000th sec; 96% viewfinder coverage
  - A special micro-lens pattern allows complete capture of angled light rays on the image periphery for optimal use of available light.
  - no anti-alias filter for higher resolution while Moiré effects are detected and eliminated by the camera's internal signal processing, thus taking full advantage of the system's high-resolution lenses.
  - Metz SCA-3002 interface
  - dual shutter system:
    - in-body metal focal plane shutter for fast lenses - flash sync 1/125th sec
    - in-lens leaf shutters (the CS lenses) for high flash sync speeds to 1/500th sec
  - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08092301_leica_s2.asp
  - http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/s_system/
  - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081601leicassystemspecs.asp
  - available from Oct 2009, $US23,000 for body, S lenses: 35mm $US $US5300, 70mm standard lens $US4500, 120mm and 180mm $US6500; CS lenses will sell for about $US1000 more and weigh an extra 150g.
cameras designed for high end digital backs:
- Hasselblad:
  - H3D closed system: newer AF cameras; requires a CF adapter to allow C-type lenses designed for V-series to be used.
    - see here
- Mamiya / Phase One open system
- Sinar / Leaf / Rollei Hy6 system:
  - 6x6 (56mm square) camera
  - uses Rollei lens mount so MF & AF lenses for the Rollei 6008 will fit.
  - http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sinar-hy6.shtml
  - Leaf AFi-II cameras and digital backs:
    - introduced late 2008
    - 1fps, 16bit, ISO 50-800, 3.5" LCD with touch screen 90deg tilting LCD (on versions 7, 10), weigh ~2kg each.
    - 12 f stop dynamic range;
    - file sizes: 112Mb (MOS), 78Mb (compressed MOS), 345Mb 16bit TIFF, 172Mb 8bit RGB.
    - Aptus II digital backs (600g each, CF card storage):
      - version 6 = 28mp 44x33mm sensor
      - version 7 = 33mp 48x36mm sensor
      - version 10 = 56mp 56x36mm sensor, version 10R has rotatable sensor €24,995 in 2010
- Alpa:
  - Alpa 12 SWA (shift wide angle):
    - built in shift (up to 25mm) for wide angle photography with digital backs or film backs - RRP $US11000 excl. dig. back.
- Linhof M679cs:
  - a medium format view camera designed for 6x9 images on 120/220 film but also designed to take 645 digital backs.
  - being a view camera and able to utilise the new large format lenses designed for digital which have the large image circle to allow for lens shift/tilt while having a superior resolution which better matches the high end digital backs makes this camera potentially the best future-proof for very high end digital photography requiring shift/tilt lenses.
  - for a 21mm equivalent wide angle view, the Rodenstock HR 35mm f/5 Apo-Sironar matches well.
  - HR lenses are actually specified by Rodenstock as surpassing the resolution capabilities of digital sensors with pixel dimensions down to 5 microns, but as they have a reduced image circle of 70mm (cw 150mm on non-HR lenses), there is limited rise/shift available.
  - a used Hasselblad A12 magazine and a V series adaptor plate is all that's needed to turn the 679cs into a backup film camera.
  - see http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/digital-view.shtml
- Seitz 6x17 digital (2007):
  - scanning sensor gives 160mpixel image over 1sec; ~29,000Euro excl. lens; takes large format lenses;
  - see http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/intro.cfm
- Seitz Roundshot D3 (2007):
  - 360deg image with 80mm lens giving 470mpixels from a scanning sensor over 2 seconds;
  - ~30,000 Euro excl. lens;
  - see http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/intro.cfm
- Hartblei CAM (late 2009):
  - allows use of almost any medium format digital or film back
  - allows use of almost any medium format lens or 35mm lens with adequate image circle including Canon EF and Nikon F
  - live preview or direct optical prism viewfinder or external hotshoe-mounted finder
  - built-in shutter
  - see http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09091503hartbleicam.asp
digital camera backs for medium format film cameras:
- note: depending on the sensor size, they usually have a crop factor for 6x4.5 camera lenses which have a film area of 56mm x 41.5mm:
  - 37x37mm sensor = 1.5x crop thus a 40mm wide angle becomes 60mm effective medium format lens
  - 43x32mm sensor = 1.3x crop
  - 48x36mm sensor = 1.17x crop (ie. twice the area of 35mm full frame)
- Hasselblad:
  - H-system: newer AF cameras; requires a CF adapter to allow C-type lenses designed for V-series to be used.
    - see here
  - V-system: manual focus cameras eg. 500, 2000, 200 series.
  - X-PAN II: 35mm panorama camera - no digital backs.
  - 3rd party digital backs for Hasselblads:
    - Hasselblad V series backs:
      - CFV-39:
        
        announced July 2009
        
        16bit 6.8um sensor - select aspect mode - either 39 mpixel 37x49mm or 29mpixel 37x37mm
        
        ISO 50-800; 2.5" LCD with histogram; 1.4 sec per capture (0.7fps);
        
        cable-free operation with V-system cameras, PC-sync cable trigger with other cameras or exposures > 1 sec (max. 32 sec);
        
        CF card or tethered via firewire 800; 530g excl. battery and card;
        
        set the V-system lens used , aperture and focus distance and the back will apply digital corrections
        
        http://www.hasselblad.co.uk/media/1928194/uk_cfv39_datasheet_v1.pdf
    - Leaf Aptus:
      - see DPReview
      - 6x7cm LCD touchscreen - true zoom to 100% to verify focus; histogram; spot-meter;
      - 1.2sec per frame; up to 1000 images in burst; 16bit (12-stop dynamic range) HDR RAW; cooling fan;
      - CF (12Mb/s) or optional 20Gb HDD magazine; 17Mb/s firewire; battery; 10-12sec start-up?
      - file sizes 22mpixel: HDR 126Mb; RAW HDR 42Mb; lossless compressed cHDR 22Mb;
      - supported cameras (each back is specific to a model):
        
        Hasselblad H & V series; Mamiya 645AFD, RZ67, RB67; Contax 645AFD; Fuji GX680; Bronica SQA/ETRS;
        
        view cameras: Sinar; Toyo; Cambo; Linhof; Horseman; Rollei X-Act & others.
      - Aptus series introduced in Oct 2005 with 6x7cm LCD touch screens and 30Gb HDD magazine with the faster S-series introduced in 2006:
        
        Aptus 65 - 28mp, 44x33mm; 6144x4622, 16bit, 160Mb HDR;
        
        Aptus 75 - 33.9mp, 48x36mm 6726x5040, 16 bit, 200Mb HDR;
        
        Aptus 54S - 22mp, 48x36mm 5356x4056, 25-400ISO; 75 frames/min unlimited;
        
        Aptus 65S - as for 65 but unlimited burst at 63 frames/min instead of 39/min for 6 frames
        
        Aptus 75S - as for 75 but unlimited burst at 53 frames/min instead of 33/min for 5 frames
    - older Leaf models:
      - original Aptus models introduced in 2004:
        
        17mpixel 43.2x31.7mm: $A29370 for V-series or H1 (2005)
        
        22mpixel 48x36mm: $A41000 (2005)
      - Valeo series introduced 2002-2003
      - C-most series introduced in 2001
      - Cantare XY in 1999
      - Volare in 1998
      - DCB II in 1996
      - DCB I in 1992
    - Ixpress C series:
      - Ixpress 96C: 16mpixels; 16bit; 37x37mm sensor; 96Mbyte 16 bit images; ISO 50-400; shutter to 1/800th to 32secs; ext. 40Gb HDD; 2secs write;
      - Ixpress 132C: 22mpixels; 16bit; 37x49mm sensor;
      - Ixpress 384C: 16mpixels; 16bit; 37x37mm sensor; multi-shot (ie. can take RGB separately & thus 3x higher resolution);
      - Ixpress 528C: 22mpixels; 16bit; 37x49mm; multi-shot;
      - Ixpress V96C: 16mpixels; 16bit; 37x37mm sensor; V-system cameras;
    - Ixpress CF - not for H1/V
    - Ixpress CFH - not for H1/V
    - Kodak Proback 645H: H-system cameras only
    - Kodak DCS Proback Plus: V-system cameras only but may require special cable release;
    - Phase One H101: H-system cameras only - distributed in Australia by lapfoto
    - Phase One H5-25: V-system cameras only
    - Phase One P series 16-39mp, 70 frames/min; live preview;
    - Phase One P65+
      - 60mp 40.4x54.9mm sensor (late 2008)
      - 1st "full frame" 645 medium format 6 micron photosite sensor with 1fps rate
      - 360Mb 16bit files;
      - starts at $US39,990 for back only
      - http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/p65-announced.shtml
- Mamiya:
  - Mamiya DL28 (late 2008):
    - 28mp, 7.2microns, 16bit, 12-stop dynamic range, 3.5" touchscreen LCD, CF memory cards. ISO 50-800;
    - 645AFD III body integrated with Leaf Aptus-II 6 Digital Back, $US14,999
  - NB. Mamiya are selling their film & digital camera business to IT company Cosmos (2006)
  - Mamiya will team with Phase One to create an open MF digital camera system based on Mamiya lens mounts (2008)
  - Leaf Mamiya Pro Digital II - Mamiya 645AFD II + Leaf Aptus back (2005)
  - Mamiya ZD:
    - integrated with 22mp 9 micron ZD digital back;
    - compatible with Mamiya 645AF-D lenses; 1.2kg; $US12,600 ; no film backs;
    - may have a user-removable IR-cut filter. X-sync 1/125th sec; 14-bit A/D => 12bit image;
    - 1fps x 10 shots then 108sec write;
    - more noise at ISO 200-400 than a Canon but better image quality than the Canons at ISO 50-100;
    - max. exposure only 30sec; small 1.8" LCD screen; viewfinder dimmer than Hblad.
      - see http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/zd-review.shtml
  - Mamiya RZ67 Pro IID (2005):
    - as for the Pro II but with communications for a digital back
  - Mamiya ZD digital back (2005): 22mpixel 14bit 48x36mm sensor; 1.5fpsx11; CF, SD, 1.8" live preview LCD; designed for Mamiya 645AFD & RZ67ProIID camera bodies. $US11,800;
  - Mamiya 645DF (announced March 2009)
  - 3rd party digital backs for Mamiya bodies:
    - Kodak DCS Pro Back 645M:
      - 645AFD, 645AF
    - Kodak DCS Pro Back:
      - RZ67, RZ67 Pro II
    - Leaf Aptus:
      - 17mpixel: $A29370 for 645AFD (2005)
      - 22mpixel: $A41000 (2005)
    - Leaf Valeo 6, 17 or 22:
      - Wi version allows display via Bluetooth to a Leaf DP-67 PDA; opt. 20Gb magazine;
      - 2005 prices: 6mp: $A10050; 17mp Wi: $A24730; 22mp Wi: $A36325;
      - 645AFD, RZ67, RZ67 Pro II
    - Leaf Volare, Cantare:
      - 645 Pro, 645 Pro TL, RZ67, RZ67 Pro II
    - Jenoptik Eyelike Precision M6, M11, M16:
      - 645AF, 645 Pro, 645 Pro TL
    - Phase One H5/10/20:
      - 645AF, RZ67, RZ67 Pro II
    - Sinar Sinarback 23-54:
      - 645AF, 645 Pro, 645 Pro TL, RZ67, RZ67 Pro II, , RB67
    - MegaVision S3 pro:
      - 645AF, 645 Pro, 645 Pro TL, RZ67, RZ67 Pro II, RB67
    - Imacon Flexframe 3020/4040:
      - 645 Pro, 645 Pro TL, RZ67, RZ67 Pro II
    - Better light 4000/6000/Super 6K/ Super 8K:
      - RZ67, RZ67 Pro II, RB67
- Rollei:
  - Rolleiflex 6008AF (2005):
    - 6x6 camera with Phase One db20p 16mpixel digital back $US16,000; 1.5kg without lens
    - compatible with Rollei 6000 lenses
- Pentax:
  - Pentax 645 digital (late 2006):
    - 18.8mpixel; 9x9um pitch; ?45x34mm sensor (1.3x crop of 645 lens)
- Bronica:
  - Kapture Group sell an adapter that allows digital backs designed for Hasselblad V-series to be used but the adaptors cost $US895/$A1700 (2005) and require use of a one shot cable release $US395 with certain backs.
    - the adapter plate is different for ETRS vs SQ series cameras!
    - there are potential issues with soft focus due to the adapter.
- Fuji GX 680:
  - Kapture Group sell an adapter that allows digital backs designed for Hasselblad V-series to be used. In addition they sell an adapter to allow stitching of 2 digital images.
- Kapture Group Truewide sliding back digital body:
  - allows use of digital backs designed for either Hasselblad V-series or Mamiya AFD
  - allows use of 35mm lens from either Nikon, Canon FD, Olympus OM or Leica R via adapters.
  - Integrated Copal #3 shutter.
  - Built in viewfinder adapter is designed to accept Hasselblad viewfinders.
  - $US2995 (2005)
- Horseman:
  - Horseman SW-D:
    - view camera which accepts digital backs designed for Hasselblad V
  - Horseman LD:
    - bellows system that allows:
      - various lenses be used:
        
        Large-format camera lenses (with focal lengths of 90mm and up)
        
        Horseman VCC lens unit (80, 105, 135mm)
        
        Interchangeable lenses with Hasselblad V-system mounts
        
        Mamiya 645/67^*1 lenses
        
        Asahi Pentax 645/67 lenses
      - various cameras or backs:
        
        Canon or Nikon DSLR
        
        digital backs via an adapter
        
        4"x5" sheet film and via adapter, 6x7, 6x9, and 6x12 film