Hi John,
I think it is good that you asked for a role-call of the new Aptus II 10 owners out there to be able to give you some of their thoughts. I'm sure that there are not very many owners yet because of several factors. I was told that there were FOUR as of August in the US.
First was difficulty getting the sensor delivered with the correct high tolerances spec'd by Leaf from Dalsa.
Second was the Leaf buyout from Phase One which caused pause on how the new company would be doing business and what products they would continue offering and servicing.
Third is the higher cost (although not as high as the Phase One P65+) which would mean less quantities sold than smaller sized backs that are less expensive.
I took delivery of my Aptus II 10 two weeks ago from Capture Integration in Atlanta. I suggest you give them a call to get their opinions and talk options.
I believe mine was the first "10" ordered from the new Company. I have an article with images that I have submitted to Michael Reichmann on my experiences with the back. He expects it to run within the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for it on his front page.
I wouldn't hesitate to get the 10 as long as you are ok working with a DB. It is one of the best out there, with a large usable touchscreen, a 20 x 31" file at 300 dpi, and wonderful colors, tones, and sharpness not found in 35mm cameras. As a comparison, the Nikon D3x file is 13.5 x 20" @300 dpi. So I feel it is a very big step up, and a bigger jump than the 33 or 39mp backs away from the Canon's and Nikon's. I use mine with my Contax 645's and the Zeiss glass really gets the most out of the back. My favorite lenses are the 35, 55, 80, 140 and the Hasselblad 110mm f 2.0 FE lens with an adapter. I am saving up for the 120 macro because it is one of the best lenses made. I also like the idea of the Cambo Wide RS which is very small and light, with extremely sharp lenses with movements and now tilts as well. Because of the Aptus II 10's aspect ratio of 56mm x 36mm, I can stitch two frames horizontally to come up with that magical 6x17 proportion and detail not seen from the previous Fuji's or Linhof's with film. Exciting times for this new tool in your kit.
The back has so much resolution, that it is easy to shoot verticals of portraits cropped to that sought after (on this forum) 36x 48mm frame as well those aiming for magazine covers. So it's very versatile. I have Bill Maxwell making me some custom focussing screens with the full sensor size and the 36x48 etched less prominently inside for this ability. Because we all like to shoot it tight to get the most out of the real estate, right?
I hope you are able to find the other new owners and draw them to the site and this post so that there can be good stories about our findings and the images we are creating as the group grows. I especially look forward to seeing where else around the globe the Aptus II 10 is being added to photographer's cases.
The attached file was shot with the Zeiss 55mm on a tripod. 1/3rd sec at f 19 at ISO 100. Not sure if diffraction will mess me up here but that is why I shoot the same scene at varying F-stops. This is my first upload so I apologize if it is way too small. There is absolutely smooth gradations throughout the image, so if you see any type of banding in the sky, that is from the web downsample. I'm looking forward to printing this one at 44x66".
I will be adding a custom gallery at my website with the images I am shooting with the back. So check-in next week to see what it is capable of. I have just gotten back from a week long roadtrip with the Aptus II 10 and am putting it through it's paces shooting non-commercial work until I have gotten down it's sweet spot and workflow on the files. Then I will add it to the commercial work that I specialize in. So please don't expect the G-5 aircraft in front of it quite yet on the galleries - but that will come soon.
www.williamsonimages.comRobb
Denver, Colorado USA
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I am drawn to the Aptus ll 10 back because of its aspect ratio. If anyone who uses this back has the time to comment on it I would appreciate it very much. I've not found any information on pricing and would like to hear of your experiences and recommendations concerning the cameras and lenses that you use wiih it. Thanks.
