Creo today announced their latest generation digital camera backs in the Leaf Aptus 17 and Aptus 22 (17 and 22 megapixels respectively). The Leaf Aptus back features a very large 3.5" (6 x 7 cm) touch-screen LCD monitor for immediate image evaluation. The back is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery and stores on either Compact Flash or the removable 20 GB Leaf Digital Magazine. The Leaf Aptus support various medium format cameras from Hasselblad, Mamiya, Contax, Fuji and Bronica as well as a range of View cameras.

Phil: Creo has answered one query we had; sensor sizes: Leaf Aptus 17: 43.2 x 31.7 mm (1.7 x 1.25 in), Leaf Aptus 22: 48 x 36 mm (1.9 x 1.4 in).

Press Release:

Creo Announces The Leaf Aptus Digital Camera Back

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - Sept. 7, 2004) - Creo Inc. (NASDAQ:CREO - News; TSX:CRE - News) announces the latest generation of portable and studio digital camera backs - the Leaf® Aptus. This new product line has the portability and ease-of-use of consumer products, combined with the robustness, resolution and powerful workflow required by professional photographers. The Leaf Aptus product line includes the Leaf Aptus 22 and Leaf Aptus 17 digital camera backs with resolutions of 22 and 17 megapixels respectively.

Easy Operation

The Leaf Aptus digital camera back contains a built-in, large (6 x 7 cm) LCD enabling practical image evaluation, focus confirmation and editing. The integrated compact flash allows for easy shooting. A single rechargeable lithium ion battery can provide power for over 1,000 frames in over four hours of continuous operation.

Robust Shooting with Top Speed

New hardware boosts the 1.2 seconds per frame capture rate to provide a continuous non-stop burst of lossless raw HDR files. Each shot can be stored directly to the 20 GB Leaf Digital Magazine that holds up to 2,000 frames, depending on back configuration, or to an external FireWire® portable drive of 250 GB or larger, allowing for extremely productive shooting.

Efficient Workflow with Touch Screen Control

The Leaf Aptus is the world's first camera back with a touch screen and a graphic user interface (GUI) that provides the ability to easily and quickly prepare custom job setups. Files can be pre-named, job folders created, files flagged and edited on location to speed-up workflow.

Unique wireless display technology is also built into the Aptus. By using the Leaf DP-67, a portable display or digital proof based on the HP iPAQ pocket PC, the client or art director can see instant previews away from the camera. This workflow enhances teamwork on location.

The Leaf Aptus digital camera back also integrates a new compressed raw HDR (CHDR) file format. This format decreases the size of raw HDR files by half with lossless compression that retains 100 percent of the original data. This speeds up shooting, doubles effective storage capacity, and makes archiving and file transmission twice as efficient.

Availability and Upgrade Options

The Leaf Aptus digital camera back will be introduced at Photokina 2004 in Cologne, Germany at the Creo Leaf stand. Commercial shipments will begin in February 2005. Photographers who would like to take advantage of the new Leaf Aptus can start work today with a new Leaf Valeo 22Wi or Leaf Valeo 17Wi digital camera back and upgrade later to the Aptus. Attractive upgrade options for existing digital photographers are also available. For more information, contact Leaf at www.creo.com/leaf.

Photokina: September 28 - October 3, 2004

Visit www.creo.com/leaf and register online for hands-on demonstrations of Leaf digital camera backs at the Leaf stand (Hall 14.2 Stand M-40) during Photokina.

Leaf Aptus specifications

Technology:
Full frame (not in size but in readout method) CCD dual sensor readout (DSR) for double capture speed (patent pending)
Bluetooth® wireless technology
Cooling fan for efficient heat removal

Resolution:
Leaf Aptus 22: 4056 x 5356
Leaf Aptus 17: 3576 x 4716

Sensor size:
Leaf Aptus 22: 48 x 36 mm
Leaf Aptus 17: 43.2 x 31.7 mm

Dynamic range:
12 f-stops

Color depth:
16-bit (65,536 levels per color)

Capture speed:
1.2 sec per frame (50 frames per minute) (both tethered and portable)

LCD screen (built in)
Size: 3.5 in.
Pixels: 211,680
Advanced touch-screen graphic user interface (GUI)

Functionality on LCD:
Pre-shoot file naming, image flags, full browsing and file management, create job folders, preview up to 20 images on one screen, true zoom to verify focus, histogram, exposure alarms, average exposure meter, spot meter (f-stop), custom and preset gray balance, ISO, selectable image-setting tags, metadata, custom file annotations, and more

Wireless display--DP-67 Digital Proof (optional):
Size: 3.5 to 4 in.
Pixels: 230,400
Based on HP iPAQ certified models

Portable storage options:
CF card type II (read/write speed depends on CF from 3 MB per second or higher)
20 GB Digital Magazine (read/write speed--17 MB per second)
Standard high-volume portable FireWire disks are optional

Battery:
Over 1000 frames and over four hours of continuous operation

File size (Leaf Aptus 22/17):
Leaf HDR 16-bit: 126 MB/99 MB
Leaf raw HDR 16-bit: 42 MB/33 MB
Compressed raw HDR 16-bit (cHDR) (approximate size):
Lossless cHDR: ~21 MB/~17 MB
Nearly lossless cHDR: ~11 MB/~9 MB
RGB 8-bit: 63 MB/48 MB
CMYK 8-bit: 84 MB/65 MB

Sensitivity:
ISO 25-400

Lighting:
Compatible with all lighting conditions

Cameras supported:
Hasselblad: H1 and V series
Mamiya: 645AFD, RZ67, RB67
Contax: 645AFD
Fuji GX680
Bronica SQA/ETRS
View cameras: Sinar, Toyo, Cambo, Linhof, Horseman, Rollei X-Act, and others