The new vertical grip is called the V-Grip Air and it offers flash sync speeds as high as 1/1600s. In addition to offering flash sync, the grip also extends the battery life of the camera while shooting thanks to an internal battery pack. The flash sync system works with most all Profoto flash systems and an optional receiver is available to allow the grip to work with other brands of flash systems.

The grip uses the same type of battery that is used in the Phase One and Leaf digital camera backs with the option to use standard AA batteries as a backup. The V-Grip Air for 645DF cameras sells for $1290 and the L-Bracket and hand strap package alone is $299 with both set for shipment in late September. That transceiver for other flash brands is available for $199.

That makes it the industry’s fastest large-sensor DSLR, Mamiya reckon, and we won’t argue with them.  To go with the leaf shutter system, the company has worked with Schneider-Kreuznach on three new lenses – 55mm, 80mm and 110mm – which can sync with flash speeds of up to 1/1600th of a second.

Of course, 40-megapixels and these sort of specs don’t come cheap, and the Mamiya DM40 arrives this month priced at $21,990.  Mamiya will also be offering the DM40 Digital Back on its own, for use with existing Mamiya or large-format cameras, priced at $19,990.

Press Release:

Mamiya Introdces New DM40 Large-Sensor DSLR

Elmsford, NY – March 1, 2010 – Mamiya today announced the addition of the new Mamiya DM40 to its lineup of professional large-sensor DSLRs. Featuring a resolution of 40 megapixels with a peak capture rate of .8 seconds per frame and a sustained capture rate of 60 frames per minute, the Mamiya DM40 is the industry’s fastest large-sensor DSLR.

The heart of the DM40 system is the new “DF” camera-core technology, developed by Mamiya, featuring two user-selectable shutter systems: leaf or focal plane. In demanding daylight situations, photographers can use predictable high speed flash synchronization to fill-in or overpower even the brightest ambient light on one of three new leaf-shuttered lenses designed by Schneider-Kreuznach and manufactured by Mamiya. The lenses – available in focal lengths of 55mm, 80mm, and 110mm – deliver an effective maximum flash sync speed of up to 1/1600th of a second. For more conventional situations, photographers can choose any one of 15 other world-class Mamiya optics, from 28mm to 300mm APO, designed for use with the cameras’ focal plane shutter system.

Also newly announced, the Mamiya DM40 Digital Back will be available for those customers who wish to obtain the latest in high-speed and resolution digital capture for their existing Mamiya or large format camera. Supported cameras include: Mamiya 645AFD series, 645DF, Mamiya RZ series (via optional adapter), Mamiya RB series
(via optional adapter), and 4×5 view cameras
(via optional adapter).

Specifications Highlights
CCD: 44 x 33mm, 40 Megapixel
Largest file size: 240 MB 16 bit TIFF
ISO: 80-800
Capture rate: 0.8 sec/frame
Digital imaging user interface: 6x7cm LCD touchscreen

Pricing and Availability
The Mamiya DM40 DSLR kit will be available in the U.S. at $21,990, including Mamiya 80mm f.2.8 D lens. The Mamiya DM40 Digital Back, also available in the U.S. at $19,990. Both are expected to be shipping in March, and include Capture One and Leaf Capture software.

Canon unveiled a new DSLR camera called the EOS-1D Mark IV with 16MP resolution and 1080p video. The camera also has a fantastic ISO range. The Barnes & Noble dual-display eBook reader was outed early in the week with a price pegged at $259. The thing has an e-Ink display and a secondary color LCD built-in.

Nokia’s new low cost handset called the 5230 got the hands-on treatment this week. The device should prove popular with bargain shoppers. The DigiLife camcorder with an integrated pico projector debuted early in the week. You can record video and then show it off on a big screen without connecting to a TV.

High-end marquee Bang & Olufsen debuted a new BeoVision 10 40-inch LED backlit HDTV. The machine sells for about $9000 making it quite expensive. We went hands on with the new MacBook, Mac mini, iMac, and Magic Mouse this week when they debuted. That sexy 27-inch iMac is sweet.

TomTom debuted a cool new double DIN head unit for in-dash navigation and entertainment this week called the Go I-90. The device has a touchscreen and a removable slate the big catch is that it is far from cheap. The Sony VAIO X was benchmarked mid-week and found to get about 10 hours of run time per charge. The downside is that the notebook could only muster mediocre media playback capability.

High-end camera maker Mamiya debuted an entry-level digital camera this week called the DM22 and the DM28. The cameras start at right under $10,000. That makes low-end seem very high-end to me. The EnTourage eDGe dual screen eBook reader tipped up combining two screens into one multipurpose device. The little device is pegged to sell for $490.

Sanyo unveiled a new projector called the PLC-XF1000 with 12,000 lumens of brightness. The price is as big as high as the thing is bright at about $25,000. The Dell SX2210T multitouch 1080p LCD was spied mid-week. The screen supports gestures and takes advantage of new Windows 7 features.

Spring Design’s Alex Android-powered eBook reader tipped up with dual screens. Apparently, two screens on an eBook reader is the new cool thing to do. Wednesday we gave our first impression of the new iMac computers. We really like the massive 27-inch 2560 x 1440 resolution the screen offers.

A new Windows 7 powered slate computer called the eviGroup Pad broke cover with a 10.2-inch screen. The device runs an AI called Seline that supports speech, text, and handwriting. We reviewed the HTC Tattoo Android smartphone this week. We found the handset to be good for the price and the Tattoo will give any feature phone a run for its money.

Dell launched the Inspiron One 19 in Japan on Thursday. We expect the machine to debut in America soon as well. Price plans for that much rumored T-Mobile Project Dark tipped up Thursday. The new plan will offer $79.99 unlimited talk, text, web plans with no annual contract.

Toshiba Japan unveiled a new fuel cell called the Dynario that uses methanol to create power. The thing is available this week in Japan at 29,800 yen for the fuel cell alone. The Archos 9 tablet PC launched on Thursday for purchase. The device sells for $748 and is a sexy little device.

Dell teased again on Friday with more pics of the Adamo XPS. The computer maker still won’t give up the details on the computer, but they have to be coming soon. Someone at Motorola hit the publish button too soon Friday and sent the official Droid page live. The error was short lived, but the specs of the handset were sent into the wild before the page was removed.

Intel has reportedly delayed support for USB 3.0 until 2011. That means that there will be no widespread support for USB 3.0 in 2010. Late Friday we put a review of the 27-inch iMac up for your perusal. We figure that Apple has created one of the best all-in-ones ever.

The Motorola Zeppelin Android phone leaked online Friday for the first time. The device will be the first Android phone to support dual SIM card slots. The catch is that the handset will only be sold in China in the configuration that leaked. Nokia filed a patent infringement suit against Apple this week. The suit alleges that all models of the iPhone infringe on ten Nokia patents.

Until next week, happy reading!

The Mamiya digital cameras are modular so upgrading the back upgrades the internals of the camera allowing the photographer to upgrade with modular components rather than buy an entirely new camera. When $10K is your starting point upgradability is a big deal. The new DM backs are offered in resolutions of 22, 28, 33, and 56 megapixels.

The digital backs offer 16-bit/channel image capture and recording in tethered and untethered modes. The backs also support open-standard HDR-type Mosaic file format. The backs ship with Phase One Capture One and Leaf Capture software. Mamiya says that its Mamiya 645AFD, 645AFDII, 645AFDIII, and 645DF, Mamiya RZ67 (via optional adapter), Mamiya RB67 (via optional adapter), and 4×5 view camera (via optional adapter) are all compatible with the new backs.

For that, Mamiya will charge you a mere $9,995.  Your money may not get whiz-bang features like we’ve seen on recent high-profile launches from Nikon and Canon, but you get true 16-bit/channel RAW images and a modular build that lets you switch out the included Mamiya 80mm f/2.8 D Series lens for any of the company’s AF focal plane series lenses.

Mamiya also have a second entry-level model new today, the DM28, delivering 28-megapixels and an ISO range of 50 – 800.  The Mamiya DM28 comes in at $14,990.  Both cameras include Phase One’s Capture One and Leaf Capture software for processing those juicy RAW files.

Press Release:

Mamiya Debuts DM22 Digital Camera for under $10K

Elmsford, NY – October 20, 2009 – Mamiya, synonymous with professional photography, has introduced a new 22MP, 36x48mm digital camera selling for $9,995. The Mamiya DM22, slated for November delivery, is the perfect choice for photographers when 35mm-sized DSLRs are not good enough. In fashion work, studio product photography, industrial/scientific or other demanding photographic specialties, medium format photography is in many people’s eyes hands-down the winner over 35mm-based digital. The DM22 is the affordable way to achieve that superiority.

“For years, many professional photographers have been relegated to consumer-like DSLR systems, simply due to the high cost of recognized pro-level digital equipment,” says Mamiya Product Marketing Manager Mike Edwards. “This new camera features a premium-quality 22 megapixel sensor, and true 16bit/channel RAW files, resulting in richly detailed images that leave a vibrant and lasting impression for both the photographer and client. We recognize photographers’ need to deliver exceptional quality photographs, along with an impression of professionalism, which a 35mm-sized DSLR cannot present. Files can be processed using either of the included software solutions: Capture One™ by Phase One or Leaf Capture™, or photographers can choose to use Adobe Lightroom™ (not included) allowing the widest variety of professional processing software options available. This is definitely an opportunity to put the finest technology to work at a most affordable price.”

The new camera has an estimated street price of $9,995. It’s being introduced at the same time as the Mamiya DM28, with a street price of $14,990. Both cameras come with the sharp Mamiya 80mm f/2.8 D Series lens, focal plane shutter, and are fully compatible with any Mamiya AF focal plane series lens. In addition, they can be used with older 645MF and Hasselblad lenses (via #310-244 adapter), both in stop-down mode.

Both the DM22 and DM28 feature Mamiya’s new Guaranteed Trade-Up Program, which offers purchasers of new Mamiya digital products the peace of mind of knowing they can safely choose the right product for their specific needs.

The DM22 features a 48x36mm sensor, 5356×4056 pixels, and an ISO range of 25-400. The RAW file is the Mosaic format, HDR-type, with 16 bits/channel and a dynamic range of 12 f/stops. Image storage is either on a CF card or via FireWire™. The DM28 is identical except its sensor is 44x33mm, 6144×4622 pixels, and an ISO range of 50-800.

The DM56 has a 56MP sensor and the DM33 has a 33MP sensor. Both of the cameras are medium format DSLRs and aimed at the pro photographer. The cameras feature high flash sync speeds up to 1/6000 of a second and new three leaf-shutter digital lenses.

The lenses were developed in conjunction with Schneider Kreuznach and are manufactured my Mamiya. The lenses include the 55mm f/2.8 D L/S, 80mm f/2.8 D L/S, and 110mm f/2.8 S L/S, which will all start shipping on Q4. Exact pricing and availability for the cameras is unknown, but these things have to fall into the “if you have to ask” category.