Phase One and Mamiya to Release Medium Format System in 2008

On a relatively small market, such as the medium format one, a partnership between two well-known companies has enough force to reshape things as we know them. This might be the case with the quiet announcement made by Phase One and Mamiya who are, as of November 13, in a "strategic alliance to develop innovative, open platform-based medium format digital camera systems and solutions for professional photographers".

This partnership will give the two companies an important advantage over Hasselblad, Sinar and Leaf. As noted by the Luminous Landscape website, the introduction of the closed H3D system (which only works with Hasselblad solutions), the discontinuation of the open H2 system and Sinar's and Leaf's allegiance to the new Hy6 camera system have left Phase One without bodies to mount their digital backs on.

"Phase One and Mamiya together are committed to equipping photographers with what they need to surpass even their most passionate visions and enjoy the process," said Henrik H?konsson, CEO of Phase One. "Phase One is committed to open modular systems thus supporting photographers' full freedom of choice", he added.

On the other side of the partnership, Mamyia Digital Imaging CEO Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi anticipates a new chapter for photographers.

"With this alliance, Mamiya and Phase One together are ushering in a new chapter for photographers. As a team, we have access to all the software and hardware competences which are needed to further develop unique digital camera solutions in the coming years, including new feature combinations not in the market today," Mr. Tsutsumi said.

The agreement includes technology-sharing and intellectual property assets as well as sales and marketing co-operation and the first camera system resulted from this partnership is expected in the first quarter of 2008.

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