Capture Integration, Atlanta GA

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 150

P65+ f/11 1/250 ISO100

Anyone following this blog will know I'm currently in Jackson Hole WY attempting to capture the beautiful landscape. I've been here 6 out of a planed 8 weeks and so far have exceeded my expectations for landscape and wildlife images.

Buffalo Herd (manual focus in blowing snow)

Phase One 645 AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/11 1/250 ISO100

Baby Buffalo (manual focus in blowing snow)

Phase One 645 AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/11 1/320 ISO100

So what does this have to do with Dave Gallagher and Capture Integration?  Actually quite a bit as close to 99% of my photographic gear came from Capture Integration.  Besides being my number one photographic dealer for everything dealing with Cambo and Phase One digital backs, they also are responsible for me getting into Leica & Dave happens to be a very close friend.  This friendship has helped Iron Creek Photography get the gear to capture my work as well as keep my wallet flat.

Aspens

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/11 1/250 ISO100

Aspens

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/11 1/250 ISO100

Dave & I don't speak to each other as much as we sometimes would like however I know that if I ever run into a problem I can call and get it resolved.  There was no problem to be resolved the last we spoke other than Dave being a little jealous over my length of stay in Jackson Hole.  The conversation turned into a question of whether I would have the time to try using a Phase 645AF and maybe a couple lenses for landscape and wildlife; I of course said "yes" without any hesitation. 

Lava Flow

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/8 1/80 ISO100

And that's how I am now using a Phase One 645AF body along with the Mamiya 300 and Mamiya Sekor D 150mm lenses.  I started using my Cambo WRS October 2008 and quickly sold all my other medium format gear so this makes the first time in 3-years that I've held a Phase One 645 body and Mamiya lenses.  I've experimented using the Cambo WRS to capture buffalo and will now use the Phase DF to do the very same using the 2-provided lenses.  I will of course be using my P65+ digital back to capture the images.

I've found horses to be much more difficult to capture than herds of buffalo.  While buffalo have a tendency to move slow, horses move fast often jerking around.  Auto focus on a good day is fine however add snow and blowing snow along with a horse who just won't stop moving means manual focus is a must.

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/8 1/500 ISO100

100% Crop

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/8 1/500 ISO 100

I've had the Phase system for a very short couple days and want to show a sample of what I've been able to accomplish so far.  This will be the first of several posts to highlight what can be accomplished with the Phase 645, 300 and 150mm lenses, so stay tuned.

T.A. Moulton Barn

Phase One 645AF, Mamiya 300

P65+ f/11 1/320 ISO200

Shooting conditions:  The past two days I have experienced snow, blowing snow, cold temps in the teens with winds gusting in the upper teens.  All in all great weather for winter landscape however it sucks (a technical term) for wildlife.

The above samples were all captured on the first day; the following is from the second.  I found that even after a 3-year absense from shooting this type of camera it came back quickly.  I want  to add a very special thank-you to the extraordinary Doug Peterson for his help while sitting on the side of a road.

6-8" of snow and it only got deeper

I've said this before and feel it's worth repeating.  Finding the "right" camera dealer is very important for many reasons among them are they will be there for support when you need it.  The right dealer is closely related to forming a partnership where they help you succeed.  Dave Gallagher and his staff at Capture Integration are that perfect fit.

I only have this equipment for a short time as they will be returned to Capture Integration.  Please let me know if there are any questions or comments that I can assist with.

 

Thanks Dave.

 

Don

Stay tuned for more.