HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With ~400 clicks on the Phase One P65+, I am beginning to get a feel for its handling and performance along with the Phase One DF kit. Based on four separate outings with the Phase One P65+ kit, here are some observations in no particular order:

1. •ISO PERFORMANCE
   

2. ISO 50 is pristine. If ISO 50 is workable or even marginal, I use ISO 50. ISO 100 and 200 look very similar and in some cases ISO 200 has looked cleaner than ISO 100. ISO 800 with Sensor+ is very sharp and the files are clean. In Sensor+ mode the sensor operates in a pseudo Foveon fashion and the acuity is eye-popping. The dynamic range loses a couple stops at Sensor+ 800, but the files are perfectly usable. I have not figured out if ISO 400 or ISO 400+ is better. Overall, I am very pleased (and relieved) with the P65+‘s ISO performance.
   

1. •FOCUS PERFORMANCE
   

2. As expected, focus is a challenge. The Mamiya 200mm F2.8 APO has a 5-10% keeper rate and shooting at distances is proving to be near impossible. Until I get the Brightscreen, it is difficult to isolate the issue. Here is a list of suspects:
   

1. 1.Need to try the near-sighted diopter screen.
   

2. 2.Focus screen may need shimming.
   

3. 3.The P65+ may need to be shimmed to match “my” DF body.
   

4. 4.The Mamiya 200mm F2.8 APO may have focus shift.
   

5. I am getting some in-focus images, just not as many as I would like. These are broad generalizations:
   

1. 1.Phase One 80mm F2.8 D is in the 50-60% range.
   

2. 2.Phase One 80mm F2.8 D is 0% @ F2.8 off-center (manual focus).
   

3. 3.Mamiya 645 AF 35mm F3.5 is 80-90% (very easy to use).
   

4. 4.Mamiya 645M 200mm F2.8 APO is averaging around 5-10%.
   

5. Auto-focus is easily tricked on busy subjects and tends to back focus. If a day depended heavily on auto-focus, I would shoot the Canon 1Ds Mark III and leave the Phase One kit at home.
   

6. •BATTERY LIFE
   

7. With new batteries the Phase One P65+ lasts 200 to 400 clicks per charge. I use the rear-LCD alot to check 100% views and the histogram, so that drains some power. The DF body is doing okay with the 2850 mAh AA NiMH batteries. The rechargeable AA’s last through several sessions, up to 1 week. The Mamiya 645AFD II could drain a full set of batteries overnight, just sitting in the bag. Clearly the DF is doing much better.
   

8. •PHASE ONE V-GRIP AIR
   

9. I like the idea of it, but the build quality is lacking - it creaks and feels like a $150 toy. There is no way to use it with an L-Bracket (which I am now using), so V-Grip Air is sitting in the closet. I may sell it.
   

10. •SPOT METERING WITH MANUAL LENSES
    

11. I do not remember the Mamiya 645AFD II and Mamiya ZD forcing spot metering with manual lenses. This is the only metering option for them on the DF and that is leading to alot of trial and error to get the right exposure with the Mamiya 645M 200mm F2.8 APO.
    

12. •CENTERFOLD
    

13. A couple files have revealed some centerfold after undergoing alot of editing in Photoshop. This is a limitation of the Dalsa sensors since they stitch multiple smaller sensors to form one large sensor. If it happens routinely, I will open a support case with Phase One.
    

Overall the Phase One P65+ is doing a very nice job. At this point my only concern is the in-focus keeper rate; hopefully the Brightscreen will arrive soon. If the in-focus keeper rate does not improve, I may need to forego the manual focus lenses. I hope matters do not become that dire, giving up the Mamiya 645M 200mm F2.8 APO would be very difficult. Today’s pictures are some more test shots from the usual places. All the pictures were taken with the Mamiya 200mm F2.8 APO except #6, 7 and 8 - those were taken with the Mamiya 645AF 35mm F3.5.