XF Camera System Quick Guide
“Our key objective is to help the worlds best photographers capture more epic images, stand out as an artist and have fun in the process.Our new XF Camera System is designed to be like a “Stradivarius” in the hands of an expert” Henrik O. Håkonsson Phase One President.
Content | XF Camera System Overview - Names and Functions 4 Assembling the camera system 6 Readying the camera system 8 Navigation 12 OneTouch User Interface 14 Prism Viewfinder Display 16 IQ Navigation 18 Camera defaults 22 HAP-1 AF Focusing system 23 Capture Modes 24 ISO and White Balance 25 Exposure Compensation 26 Long Exposure 27 Live View Custom Presets Flash Photography Focal Plane and Leaf Shutter Lenses Capture One Pro Activating Capture One Pro Capture One Tet
XF Camera System | Overview - Controls, Keys and Dials Dials, and controls do not have hard coded labels outside of the camera - thus functions and features can be customized and configured, to fit the photographer’s requirements and shooting style.
Overview - Controls, Keys and Dials | XF Camera System The top screen of the XF is a touch display, providing direct access to shortcuts and specific features. The front and rear keys, dials and controls are all customizable and have multiple functions according what is displayed on screen.
XF Camera System | Assembling the Camera System Remove the IQ back from the XF camera body 1. Slide the back release lever forward toward the front of the camera while pushing in the back release button. 2. Tilt the IQ back slightly backwards from the top and gently lift the IQ back off the lower interface hook of the XF camera Attach the IQ back to the XF camera body 1. Gently place the lower interface of the IQ back onto the bottom hook channel of the XF. 2.
Assembling the Camera System | XF Camera System Interchangeable viewfinders In addition to the Prism Viewfinder, the XF features an optional Waist Level Finder (Part # 73090) To remove the Viewfinder 1. Turn the power of the XF System OFF. 2. Grasp the viewfinder securely with your right-hand and push the viewfinder release slider forwards, towards the lens with the right thumb. 3.
XF Camera System | Readying the Camera Charging the batteries When working untethered, the standard power source of both the XF and IQ back is the 7.2v (3400mAh) BP-911/914/915 type rechargeable Li-ion battery. To maximize battery performance, charge both batteries before use with the supplied Twin V Pro charger. Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours are required to fully recharge exhausted batteries. 1. Slide open the charger base cover and fold back to form a stand. 2.
Readying the Camera | XF Camera System Powering ON and OFF the system on the XF body Powering on the XF and the IQ simultaneously is achieved with a short press of the power button on XF. A long press of the same button will power off the XF, the IQ will follow and power-off automatically after a few seconds. Loading the battery in the XF Body 1. Open the battery compartment cover located in the base of the XF camera grip. 2.
XF Camera System | Readying the Camera Setting the time zone in the IQ digital back Date and time parameters are set and controlled via the IQ digital back Menu. If the IQ back has been without power for a long period of time, it will automatically ask you to set the time and date on the next occasion it is powered up. Tap the screen and scroll through the numbers to attain the appropriate date and time.
Readying the Camera | XF Camera System Using Memory cards The Phase One XF System supports Type 1 CompactFlash (CF) cards only. Phase One recommends UDMA 7 type cards (800x speed or better) for optimal performance, however slower cards can be used. Microdrives and CF Type II cards are not recommended for use with IQ backs. Installing and removing the CF Card(illustration) Insert the CF card into the media storage slot on the left-hand side of the IQ back.
XF Camera System | Navigation Release Button Half press will activate the exposure meter as well as autofocus, by default. Full press releases the shutter. Activating the shutter release button (quick press) will return the camera to instant readiness at any time. Secondary Release Button The secondary release button replicates the functionality of the main shutter release button. When the secondary shutter release function is enabled, the primary release button remains active.
Navigation | XF Camera System Rear Dial This dial is principally used to adjust ISO, and like the mode dependent Side Dial, is also used for making selections from both the Camera Function settings and Camera Menu. The Rear Dial is customizable by pressing the rear key on the XF top and navigate to Camera Utilities>Control Setup. Front Button The Front Button is a mode dependent control set to activate the depth of field function, per default.
XF Camera System | OneTouch User interface The XF Camera body’s top user interface consists of: 1 A B 2 Release button at the front right-hand side, 3 Customizable dials (default is Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO) 1. Front dial 2. Rear dial 3. Side dial A touch sensitive screen with 2 control keys A. Front key B. Rear key C 3 Operational user controls on front and rear: C. Rear Button D. Front Button The basic logic of operation (with default settings): 1.
OneTouch User interface | XF Camera System Classic layout (Default) Close Menu Toggle Auto On/Offf The XF OneTouch UI is setup by default with a “Classic” layout on the top screen. Apart from Shutter speed, Aperture and ISO, the Classic layout is also showing the Mode, Drive, Light Metering, Focus Area and M.UP. Settings. Tapping on any item on the screen lets you set the parameters for that function.
XF Camera System | Prism Vewfinder display Auto focus area frame Focus area The XF Viewfinder is equipped with focus sensor indicators in the center. Two rectangles are marked, which corresponds to the focus area setting in the camera. The Focus rectangle in use is marked on the XF screen with the focus icon. To change the focusing mode, touch the icon, and change the value.
Prism Vewfinder display | XF Camera System Setting Diopter in the viewfinder Start by defocusing the camera manually Look through the viewfinder and make sure that the focus frame (Circle with Rectange inside) on the focusing screen is in sharp focus. If it is not, turn the diopter adjustment dial counterclockwise if you are nearsighted or clockwise if you are farsighted.
XF Camera System | IQ Navigation Touch Screen Operation Upper Left Key Upper Right Key All IQ backs are equipped with a 3.2 inch touch screen. The screen lets you zoom, pan and browse through images quickly, making it is easy to navigate between different menus and features. Operation is done using the touch screen display or the well known and intuitive, 4-key navigation. Menu Keys The IQ back is equipped with four external keys. The keys will change function to match the menu shown on the display.
IQ Navigation | XF Camera System Important logic that will help you navigate with ease: Home key Long press on the upper left key will always bring you back to the main menu. Home Key Double tap the screen To enlarge an image that you are viewing to 100% Contextual Menu The Contextual menu icon in the lower right corner provides access to a palette of options, depending on where in the menu system you are.
XF Camera System | IQ Navigation Viewing images (Image Playback) Tool View Tools After capture, an image is shown on the rear screen. Image playback can also be accessed at any time from the upper-left key on the Digital Back (this is particularly useful if the screen is in sleepmode), or directly from the Play icon on the Home screen. The default screen is the Tool view mode and is one of three playback modes available: Tool view, Full Screen view and Thumbnail view. Display Single Image (Tool View) 1.
IQ Navigation | XF Camera System Swiping between images Selected thumbnail In both Tool View and Full Screen View, it is very easy to swipe between images by sliding your finger left or right over the image. This will go forward or back in the image range. Zooming on an image In full screen, clicking on an image will bring up a zoom slider on the left side that can be used to zoom. You can double tap an image in either Tool View or in Full Screen View, to display that image at 100%.
XF Camera System | Camera Defaults Camera pre-set from factory or after “Reset to Default”: Shutter Speed: Front dial Shutter Speed can be adjusted using the Front dial (CW and CCW) Aperture: Side dial Aperture can be adjusted using the Side dial (CW and CCW) ISO Selection: Rear dial ISO can be adjusted using the Rear dial. (CW or CCW) AF Drive mode: Single (default), Continuous. AF drive mode can be changed by pushing the Rear Key to enter the menu and selecting Camera operation.
HAP-1 AF Focusing System | XF Camera System Autofocus Drive There are two AF Drive options: Single or Continuous. These drive options can be set by selecting Camera Operation>AF Drive on the XF top screen or in the XF menu on the IQ back. Single: Focuses the lens once, after pressing the release button halfway. Half-pressed stage locks the focus, allowing the photographer to recompose the image before fully depressing the shutter.
XF Camera System | Capture Modes Single capture One image will be captured when fully pressing the shutter release button. Holding the button down will NOT result in additional captures. Continuous capture The camera will capture images continuously to the fastest possible frame rate with the release button held down. Vibration Reduction (with mirror lock up) The mirror is locked up for reduced vibration and the shutter is released after a delay of 4 seconds (default).
ISO and White Balance | XF Camera System Setting ISO in the IQ digital back ISO sensitivity can be set either by scrolling the side dial on the XF camera or by selecting ISO with the top right key of the IQ digital back. ISO Range is dependent on the IQ digital back you have attached to the system. White Balance (WB) The default WB setting is Auto, which is usually sufficient for most situations.
XF Camera System | Exposure Compensation Exposure Compensation The Exposure Compensation function is available primarily for the automatic exposure modes (Av, Tv, and P), but it can also be used in Manual exposure mode. Compensation can be set from -5 to +5 EV in either 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV increments. By default, exposure compensation is applied in 1/3 EV increments.
Long Exposure | XF Camera System Long Exposure and Bulb mode The IQ backs a quite capable when it comes to long exposure. Long Exposure mode Using the Time setting, the focal plane shutter of the XF stays open for a predetermined time (displayed in seconds). 1. Rotate the Front Dial and select Shutter Speed; 30, 60, 120 or 240. 2. Select the aperture using the Side Dial. 3. Compose using the viewfinder or Live View, focus and then trigger the shutter release.
XF Camera System | Live View Live View All IQ backs are capable of displaying a live preview of your scene on the rear LCD. Live View is supported in Aperture Priority and Manual Exposure modes only. All IQ backs also support tethered Live View using FireWire 800 or USB 3.0, except for the 50MP IQ backs which only have Live View on USB 3. Starting Live View In Home position, touch the context menu icon in the lower right corner on the IQ screen. The contextual menu pop-up is displayed.
Custom Presets | XF Camera System Camera custom presets Three (3) Custom presets can be set on the XF camera. This allows you to Save and Load the settings you have made to the system. Changing between custom sets The Presets are intended to provide a rapid change between groups of settings and features. Presets also minimize inadvertent use of settings, where the same camera may be adopted for several very different assignments or commissions throughout the day.
XF Camera System | Flash Photography Build in Profoto Air flash The XF camera has a build in Profoto wireless flash trigger The Wireless flash trigger can pair any Profoto Air enabled flash system or accessory.
Focal Plane Shutter and Leaf Shutter Lenses | XF Camera System Phase One Focal Plane lenses The XF camera has a build in focal plane shutter (FPS). The range of the shutter is 1/4000s to 1 hour (determined by the specific IQ back used), but flash sync is limited to a maximum of 1/125th of a second Shutter Speed. Schneider Kreuznach LS lenses The Schneider Kreuznach lenses have a build in leaf shutter (LS). The Leaf shutters have a capability to synchronize flash up to 1/1600th of a second Shutter Speed.
XF Camera System | Capture One Pro The XF camera is bundled with Capture One Pro. Installing on Mac Capture One software includes an easy-to-use installer that will install all the software necessary to run the application on a Mac running OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or 10.10 (Yosemite). 1. Connect the supplied USB flash drive to your computers USB port and navigate to the Capture One installer. Alternatively you can download the latest version of the application from the Phase One website: www.phaseone.com. 2.
Activating Capture One Pro | XF Camera System Activating Capture One Pro An Internet connection is required to activate and update Capture One Pro. 1. Open the license activation dialogue box from the main menu: Capture One>License. (Help>License Info on Windows PC) 2. Enter the license code provided and your personal details in the required fields. (Capture One Pro license code is placed inside the Capture One Pro box). 3.
XF Camera System | Capture One Pro Tethered Capture Shooting Tethered As a professional tool for working photographers, the Phase One XF medium format camera system can be tethered to a Mac or PC running Capture One Pro RAW workflow solution. In addition to being able to control basic camera functions, captures are saved to the computer’s hard disk or they can be saved to the CF-card instead. Connecting to a Computer The XF can be tethered to a computer using either FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) or USB 3.
Import Images into Capture One Pro | XF Camera System Import Images Inserting a memory card into a card reader will automatically bring up the Import Images dialog window, when Capture One Pro is running. Manual Import of images 1. Go to File and select “Import Images…” The dialog box will open to browse files. 2. Navigate to the “Import From” folder, card or disk in the Locations tool. 3. Select Capture folder (import location) and type in the job name and Metadata (copyright, caption) if desired. 4.
XF Camera System | IQ Backs for Mamiya RZ PRO IID IQ back on a Mamiya RZ PRO IID The IQ backs with XF mount or 645DF+ mount are compatible with the Mamiya RZ Pro IID camera, however this will require an adaptor plate. (Phase One Part # 70994) It is possible to use a Hasselblad V mount IQ back on the Mamiya RZ67 PRO IID by getting the back mount plate modified with the following Mamiya service part number: Y22995-RZ.
IQ backs For Hasselblad H | XF Camera System Viewfinder Mask Please check the relevant Hasselblad H-series manual regardinghow to dismount the viewfinder and remove the focus screen. Change of viewfinder mask is only needed for the 50MP or 40MP IQ backs 1. Remove the protection tape from the mask. 2. Dismount the Viewfinder and remove the focus screen. 3. Place the viewfinder mask in the bracket that holds the focusing screen. 4. Re-mount the focus screen, followed by the viewfinder.
XF Camera System | IQ Backs for Hasselblad V Hasselblad V cameras The Phase One IQ for Hasselblad V can be mounted most Hasselblad V cameras including Hasselblad 555 ELD, 553 ELX, 501 CM and 503 CW. Viewfinder Mask Please check the relevant Hasselblad camera manual instructionsbefore removing the focus screen. 1. Remove the protection tape from the mask. 2. Dismount the finder and remove the focus screen. 3. Place the mask in the bracket that holds the screen. 4.
IQ General Technical Camera Use | XF Camera System IQ Back and mechanical shutters The IQ back can be used with mechanical shutters that can be fired twice within four seconds. The first release of the shutter activates the IQ back (wake up signal); the second release is for the exposure. If the time limit of four seconds is exceeded, the camera gives a warning ‘beep’ followed by a ‘two shoot error’.
XF Camera System | System Maintenance Maintenance Your XF camera System generally needs very little maintenance. However, as this is a professional tool it should be treated with proper care and caution. Always perform test shots before a photographic session if the camera, for any reason, has not been used for a long period of time. Lenses Never touch the optics of the lens with your fingers. Keep the optics perfectly clean with air, a lens brush and/or the dry lens cloth (delivered with the lens).
Learning More | XF Camera System Phase One Customer Service The Phase One XF is a high-performance camera designed to endure the rigors of daily professional use under a wide range of environments. However as a precision made optical and mechanical device it should be protected from harsh use, and stored carefully away from extremes of temperature and humidity when not in use.
XF Camera System | Warranty and Uptime Guarantee Warranty and Uptime Guarantee Phase One camera systems come with a 1 Year Warranty or a 5 Year Warranty. In some areas an additional 5 Year Uptime Guarantee is also available together with the 5 Year Warranty. Whether you have 1 Year, 5 Years and/or Uptime Guarantee is depending on your purchase.
Warranty and Uptime Guarantee | XF Camera System customer. The warranty shall cover only such defects that are due to faulty materials or workmanship. Phase One carries no responsibility for any indirect loss, e.g. consequential loss; loss of profit; loss of data; additional costs etc. as a consequence of deficiencies in Phase One’s deliveries.
