The Leaf Credo 50, from Mamiya Leaf, is the latest medium-format shooter to feature a 50-megapixel CMOS sensor. As such, the new digital back follows in the footsteps of recently-released devices like the Phase One IQ250, Hasselblad H5D-50c and Pentax 645Z, by boasting a versatile wide ISO range, improved Live View, and faster continuous shooting than its predecessors.
The 50-megapixel medium-format (44 x 33 mm) CMOS sensor at the heart of the Credo 50 is manufactured by Sony, and is understood to be the same one used in a number of rival cameras. In this case it's paired with a new image processor, to offer faster read and write speeds, and help produce highly detailed images with classic Leaf colors, which tend to be more film-like than many other digital cameras.
With an ISO range of 100 to 6,400, the new digital back should be capable of delivering the photographic goods in a variety of lighting conditions. Its 14-bit RAW files also have an expanded dynamic range of 14 stops. Though it's certainly no sports shooter, the Credo 50 is capable of firing off 1.2 frames per second, and its exposures can range from 1/10,000th of a second to an hour.
While the Credo 50 digital back will be available in a number of mounts for use with different camera bodies, its makers would probably rather you use it with a Mamiya/Phase One 645 DF+. On its rear is a 3.2-inch touchscreen display with a 1.15-megapixel resolution. This can be used for improved Live View focus and framing, adjusting settings, as well as inspecting and editing shots.
As full-resolution RAW files can come in at around 50 MB, users might want to stock up on CompactFlash cards if shooting un-tethered. However, if studio-based tethered shooting is more your thing, you'll be pleased to know that the Credo 50 features FireWire 800 and USB 3.0 connectivity, and comes with Capture One software for image capture and editing. Unfortunately though, it lacks the built-in Wi-Fi of the Phase One IQ250.
The Mamiya Leaf Credo 50 digital back will be on show at Photokina 2014, and available later this month for US$27,000 or $31,000 as a system with a 645 DF+ body. There will also be a Wide-Spectrum back option for Near IR and UV imaging.
Product Page: Mamiya Leaf Credo 50
