[blockquote][/indent]I had heard some time ago that Phase would have a "new" camera this summer. I believed deep down that Phase would finally show signs of hope as most of their announcements in my mind had been dismal . It had been some time that Phase and Mamiya had been working together so perhaps that would finally bear fruit. It seems my hopes were too lofty.
[blockquote][/blockquote]In my mind Phase peaked around 2005 some 4 years ago. The P30 and 45 were new and the Hasselblad H system was open and good enough. Software was solid and all was well. In the years since their intro Phase has done the following: 1.)Rewritten the software (one of their main advantages) and made it arguably worse in many ways and most certainly MORE UNSTABLE. It seemed they changed just to change and we were/are the beta testers! Sure its faster and the file a bit cleaner, but for the trouble its been I would have preferred an evolution of 3.7 (anybody lose their Canon files in 4.5x?). 2.) Next, they rebranded the Mamiya body, and talked about lenses and accessories that only exist behind glass. Let us not even talk of Ukrainian tilt shift glass. 3.)Then they came out with 1 back the P65+ that answers the question nobody asked: Can you make $40K MF back that is only 15mpx. Oh, and if you bought the P65 right away it didn't even have this feature unless you shipped it back to them months latter. Did I mention the out of touch price? How about the the loss of long exposure once a Phase selling point? 4.)Next they rebranded the Mamiya camera. Wait! Didn't I just say that! So the new camera isn't so new after all.
[blockquote][/blockquote]So, in review Since 2005 Phase has offered no real advantage. The software is a debacle. Lightroom has come in force and although the file isn't as good as Phase it is amazing in its capabilities. People Like Michael have found it more than good enough. Do you think LR3 may catch up to Phase in output? Then Phase offers one new back with a price that is out of touch. Is there no other chip in nearly 4 years that is better than a P30 or 45 that is reasonable in cost not to mention all the other improvements that could be? There are many P30 and P45 user that want to upgrade but the 65 just isn't for them. Now the worst 645 system (mamiya) has a new name and a grip you still cant buy. So, 4 years latter the best overall choice seems to be a P30+ or P45+ with a H2 (if you can find one). Is that progress?
[blockquote][/blockquote] Phase, I own one of your backs. I have used them since the H20. I am a huge advocate of your product, but you guys are going the way of the drum scanner quick!
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Finally, I played with a p65 prototype last fall and I asked the rep if Phase had thought about video capability in the future to go head to head with RED and others. He told me I should buy a 5d2. I sure hope Phase has more up its sleeve beyond this camera and the P65, and no more promises like "wireless" that never see the light of day. The next Canon 1dsiV will destroy whats left unless something far more compelling in MFD pops up. Word is the canon might get delayed because of the bad economy. I guess that might be good news to Phase. I for one want Phase to survive....