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DougDolde
Guest
Just shoot 4x5 film. You can mix and match any camera body, lens and film with nearly no limitations !
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Just to clarify the 3 year Value Added Warranty that we recommend with Phase One backs includes a free platform swap.
Though in theory the idea of changing systems being freeing we find very few customers end up changing platforms using this free swap and end up using the free platform swap to increase the resale value of their back. It's a decent insurance policy though in case the platform you choose ends up not being right for you.
And yes, the P series of Phase digital backs can be used on tech cameras, view cameras, home-made pinhole cameras, as well as the SLR for which they are fitted. In addition they can do so without the need for an Image Bank, additional battery, or laptop. The Mamiya and Hassy V mounts can also be used on the Mamiya RZ and the V can also be used with a Fuji 680III.
Doug Peterson, Head of Technical Services
Capture Integration, Phase One & Canon Dealer | Personal Portfolio
I don't mean to sound hostile here, but if you make it really bloody expensive and very slow to change a single back (in my understanding, the back isn't actually changed, but it sits around waiting for the desired configuration to show up, and then they are swapped?), then it is hardly surprising that no one goes for it. The single free time doesn't allow anyone to use two systems on an ongoing basis, so it wouldn't really change anything much, except as you say, make it easier to sell.Just to clarify the 3 year Value Added Warranty that we recommend with Phase One backs includes a free platform swap. Though in theory the idea of changing systems being freeing we find very few customers end up changing platforms using this free swap and end up using the free platform swap to increase the resale value of their back.
Like Carsten and Peter, I have no wish to sound hostile either, but it is difficult to watch this and not inform people about what is currently transpiring between myself and your company, Capture Integration.Just to clarify the 3 year Value Added Warranty that we recommend with Phase One backs includes a free platform swap. Though in theory the idea of changing systems being freeing we find very few customers end up changing platforms using this free swap and end up using the free platform swap to increase the resale value of their back. It's a decent insurance policy though in case the platform you choose ends up not being right for you.
Doug Peterson, Head of Technical Services
Capture Integration, Phase One & Canon Dealer | Personal Portfolio
Sure, but the H camera system cannot accommodate ALL the Zeiss glass. Some people really like the faster Zeiss F/FE lenses (like 50/2.8, 110/2, 150/2.8, 300/2.8) and like to shoot them wide open, so stop down meter/shoot is not an issue for them. You can't use the FE lenses with the H camera, but you can use them on other cameras. All I am trying to say, like Peter, is that a back which is more flexible in how it interfaces to other cameras offers a little more freedom.... a body which also allows me to use either the HC lenses or any of my vast collection of Zeiss 500 series lenses without all that stop down meter/shoot nonsense.
Yes, but then you always have to make sure that you stay within the same mount. The ability to easily adapt a back to different mounts makes it more flexible than a system that is fixed to only one mount. For example, if you wanted to easily switch to and from a H camera to a focal plane shutter 645 or to a 6x6 or to an arTec ... etc., you do not have as much flexibility in your camera choices.If I'm not mistaken, any Phase One back can be used on all three types of professional applications you mention. So can any Leaf back. And their on board battery makes it even easier to use on a field tech camera.
This happens to be your own personal choice and need. There are many pros here who find professional value in focal plane shutter cameras, for example the Mamiya and PhaseOne cameras. In fact, if and when leaf shutter lenses become available for these cameras, it will be interesting to see how much market share they can capture from Hasselblad.The ONLY thing missing with the H system is use on a focal plane shutter 645 camera ... which in all honesty I have very little use for professionally, and tend to turn to high meg 35mm DSLRs for applications of that type anyway... which is why I sold my Mamiya 645/Aptus 75s kit ... it just wasn't earning it keep.
Yes, this should work.What you have made me interested in is securing a H "dumb adapter" for my RZ. Since that is a leaf shutter camera, it will also work with the H3D back set to sync mode just like any view camera.
I am glad we can agree on something.I DO agree that flexibility is more important than adding some incremental megapixel count. In today's economic environment, a view camera system could bring more diversified ROI than 10 more meg IMHO.
Will not work. The locking lever of the digital magazine on the H3D interferes with the latching mechanism of the adapter.Sorry, I guess I don't quite follow this argument.
What you have made me interested in is securing a H "dumb adapter" for my RZ. Since that is a leaf shutter camera, it will also work with the H3D back set to sync mode just like any view camera.
DavidGentlemen,
In this tough economy we all find ourselves working twice as hard for half as much. This does not seem limited to one or two marketplaces but seems rather global in scale today. Just today in Orlando, a customer showed me a want add looking for a Professional Photographer/Class A Truck Driver. It doesn't make sense but it seems that all of us are asked to produce much more than we used to for the same pay. Of course our company has seen its set backs as well. Some days I have to remind myself to breathe. In regards to this, I apologize for not adding more to this forum. Doug keeps us abreast of the questions and issues here and has our full support to act on Capture Integration's behalf by supporting the endusers of Phase One products that are members here. Doug forwarded this thread to me early this evening and I thought it warranted an explanation on our part. Let me try to explain our policy below.
When someone buys a back from us, we sell a support package that comes with FW cables, a synch saver, LCC card, and other accessories that we see as essential for Phase One owners. We call this our Professional Support Package. With that the customer also receives unlimitted tellephone and e-mail support for as long as he or she owns that digital back. Most of this support happens in the first 120 days of ownership and it entails software license issues, C1 Pro questions, connectivity issues, etc. After that period, the questions become substantially fewer and longer in between. But we still support that customer with any issues that he or she has concerning their purchase.
Now that digital capture devices have matured we are finding that the lifetime of a digital back often extends to multiple owners. One back can now have 3-4 owners and still produce incredible imagery. The problem is that with each owner, that 120 day support cycle starts all over again. This was not an issue when we had a just a few customers, but now that we have sold units that total well over 1000 (yes, literally) these multiple ownerships puts a burden on our support staff that makes us unable to maintain profitability.
Last year we implemented our support package for DB owners that did not purchase their DB from us. Quite a few customers find that the support from their reseller is not anywhere close to the support that we provide and they choose to have Capture Integration answer their questions and solve their problems. I gladly invite those customers to use us for their support. However, that support has a value and Capture Integration should be compensated for our expertise, experience, and problem solving.
If we were B&H, then we can build a business model where support is non-existent and everyone knew that upfront. However, the Phase One product line and C1 Pro are products that will produce incredible results if used properly. And we believe that our support is a necessary part of this link. We charge $399 for unlimited technical support for endusers who did not purchase from us. I strongly feel that this amount for our level of support for the product is very modest and undervalued.
It is important to know the distinction between warranty matters and technical support. We constantly help endusers with warranty issues, such as format swaps, that did not purchase the unit from us. Scott Hoerner from this forum is a prime example just last month. Warranty support was handled through CI on a back purchased elsewhere. But if or when a line is crossed to firmware updates, technical questions, or free replacement parts this is when we require endusers to become customers of ours before we proceed with support. Simply stated.
On this forum and with all others, I will not get personal or discuss individual situations. Instead I will reiterate that my personal cell phone is always on and is available to anyone here that would like to discuss any of these matters with me. Guy and Jack, thank you for allowing us to be a part to this unique place. We do not take the privilege lightly. We appreciate you and this community greatly.
Sincerely,
Dave Gallagher
President
Capture Integration
(404) 522-7662
(770) 846-5223 Cell