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CHANGE

You know, forcing one to compete can be a good thing. One has to adapt to the competition, meaning that one has to find ways to be unique, to be seen as separate, better, distinct. Take for example the digital medium format camera world. Despite of what anyone might tell you, a 645Z for $8500 takes just as good of a picture as a Hasselbad H50C, or IQ250 back from PhaseOne, but at a fraction of the cost. True, there are some features these guys have, that are lacking in the 645Z at the moment (such as Leaf Shutter lenses for example), but then there are a multitude of things that the 645Z does, and the other guys can’t do. This includes faster continues frame rate, video, HSS for speedlights, a much better autofocus, more responsive system, and so on. Ricoh also has 17 lenses to go with their system, most of which are phenomenal.

OVERPRICED

This is not a sales pitch for the 645Z though; if sales figures are an indication, the 645Z does not need any sales pitch at all to move it off the shelves. What this is about, is competition and the decision to piss off professional photographers, rather than to compete. See, Hasselblad and PhaseOne have been selling overpriced systems to professionals forever. The margins on these cameras are HUGE! They were able to sustain their business model, because there was no competition. Since Sony introduced the new CMOS MF sensor, and Ricoh decided to sell their camera at a fair and very competitive price point, things have changed. Resale values of Hasselblad and PhaseOne cameras have stumbled, and during a time when budgets are shrinking, photographers have to make a conscious decision: do I buy three 645Z and a whole bunch of lenses, or do I buy one Hasselblad or Phase one, and maybe one lens.

ONE

PhaseOne is obviously feeling the heat, I mean who wants to buy into a system, or continue to invest, if it becomes obvious, that this system may not survive. I argue that PhaseOne is not able to sustain its operations, if they would be forced to sell their cameras for around $10,000 each. So rather than changing their business model, they decide to block support for 645Z DNG files in CaptureOne. Mind you, those very same files were previously supported, and it is not that support has been removed for technical reasons, the only reason those files no longer import, is to discourage professional photographers from switching.

TWO

See, here’s the thing. Many professionals use Capture One with a standalone license, meaning they paid to use the software, primarily with other backs than those made by PhaseOne. This has to do with the fact that we often use a variety of cameras, but at least in my case, I prefer to use one tool I am familiar with for my on-set workflow. I have my presets, looks, and many other settings dialed in, so regardless of the camera I am working with, I know my way around. Taking away support for the 645Z (while at the same time not taking away support for other not officially supported cameras), clearly shows how PhaseOne has decided to discourage professionals from switching to the 645Z at any cost. Now, they have every right to do whatever they like to do, but such a move is in particular questionable, if the software was paid for, and there is NO TECHNICAL reason, why the 645Z is no longer (NO LONGER!) supported.

THREE

You know, there is other software available to do on-set previews. True, Lightroom does not yet have a focus mask function, but who says it won’t be available soon? Yes, color rendition in CaptureOne is different, but I have seen some people achieve similar results with Lightroom and a tweaked profile. So, what really prevents one from switching, if they are forced to do so? I am fine with getting no official support for 645z files in CaptureOne, but disabling the import of those files for marketing reasons is just unacceptable.

RINSE AND REPEAT

You know, for every smart person, there are probably many more that are even smarter.

So if CaptureOne wants to play that game, I am sure we can all join. Just continue to disrespect professionals, and I can see how you end up not only losing sales of new devices, but also see long-time pro’s selling off their older gear. Is this worth it?

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