More on the new Phase One XF body

As shared on Instagram

Schneider LS 40-80mm @ 50mm

f/8 1/125 ISO 100 (handheld) 11:52AM

 

As shared on Instagram

Mamiya 28D

f/8 1/15 ISO 35 (tripod) 7:09AM

 

There’s been a lot going on here at Iron Creek Photography® since I last wrote and even more on the way so here’s a fast update on all things concerning the new Phase One XF camera body.

First – I love this body, I could stop here however I guess I owe everyone a little more information. 

 

Natural Bridge

Schneider LS 40-80mm @ 40mm

f/10 1/200 ISO 100 (handheld) 11:42AM

Schneider LS 240mm

f/6.3 1/200 ISO 35 (handheld) 10:39AM

I continue to use my IQ180 digital back with the body having opted to keep it rather than upgrade to the new IQ380.  While I might not have all the bells and whistles that those who have the XF/380 combo have, I nevertheless have a great system.  I use the same batteries in both body and back and have found the back battery replacement is 2 to 1 for the XF. One button powers the system as well as turns it off. I have a nice bubble level on the XF LCD likewise the histogram shows up for each shot. With the press of an icon I have the ability to move the mirror up, likewise I can set the XF to delay the capture for 3-seconds as well as set it for vibration dampness; and these are just some of the functions I have using the XF/180 combination.  I almost forgot about the autofocus in the XF which has been vastly improved over my older Phase One DF body.

On The Edge

Schneider LS 40-80mm @ 40mm

f/5.6 1/125 ISO 100 (handheld) 11:29AM

Having a waist level viewfinder was on my wish list and Phase One didn’t disappoint; okay, maybe slightly due to the long wait.  I can’t say anything now about the waist level since I don’t have it yet however I will have it soon and if this hasn’t been published by then I’ll add some quick thoughts after I get it.

 

Schneider LS 75-150mm @ 150mm

f/5.6 1/80 ISO 35 (handheld) 10:31AM

Schneider LS 240mm

f/6.3 1/200  ISO 35 (handheld) 10:49AM

The last trip we took was to Bryce Canyon National Park Utah.  We visited Bryce in November experiencing a combination of snow, wind, ice, wind, blowing snow, gusts of over 30 MPH and temperatures ranging from zero to highs of 30 with wind chill factors of well below zero.  Most days were cloudy so all in all perfect conditions to capture landscape (if not pneumonia).

 

This trip turned out to be the most extreme weather conditions experienced while using the XF.  Shooting early morning sunrise in extreme cold and I can truthfully say that I gave out way before the system did.

 Schneider LS 75-150mm @ 100mm

f/6.3 1/160 ISO 35 (handheld) 11:02AM

Cropped for Instagram

Mamiya 28D

f/8 1/15 ISO 35 (tripod) 7:10AM

 

Uncropped version

This was also perfect conditions to put the XF through its paces testing every lens I had available which are the Mamiya 28D, Schneider Leaf Shutter 40-80, 75-150 and 240.  I’ve included samples from each lens which worked very well.  This trip actually pushed me over the ledge regarding the XF/180 and the above lens as they worked so well that I decided after 8-years of using my Cambo WRS technical camera to stop using it selling that system to order the new Schneider 35mm LS lens.

We shot 4-days in Bryce before leaving and samples of those images are included here.  We left Bryce for Bluff Utah taking our time traveling the back country roads along the way and have included a few sample here as well.
 

Schneider LS 240mm

f/8 1/100 ISO 35 (handheld) 11:17AM

Processed in Capture One Pro

Mamiya 28D

f/6.3 1/160 ISO 50 (handheld) 2:04PM

Processed in Capture One Pro

Mamiya 28D

f/6.3 1/160 ISO 50 (handheld) 2:06PM

Processed in Capture One Pro

Mamiya 28D

f/4.5 1/100 ISO 50 (handheld) 2:08PM

Processed in Capture One Pro

Mamiya 28D

f/4.5 1/100 ISO 50 (handheld) 2:08PM

Processed in Capture One Pro

There’s so much more to write about such as Sandy shooting handheld 1/15 of a second with her Sony A7r II and getting crisp images.  We have the new waist level coming and I’ve stopped using the Surface Pro 3 and instead began using the new Surface Book which has turned out to be very nice.
 

As shared on Instagram

Mamiya 28D

f/4.5 1/400 ISO 50 (handheld) 3:32PM

Processed in Capture One Pro

Black & White version

 

Stay tuned for more.

 

Don

UPDATE:

The Waist Level is "Out For Delivery" however due to other commitments I need to publish this before I receive it.  I will post a small review just as soon as possible.