Pre-Photokina 2008: Phase One has announced the 3.5/45mm TS, a tilt-shift lens developed in collaboration with Hartblei. The 45mm lens offers up to 12 mm shift (combined with a 360 degree rotation) and 8 degrees tilt. In addition, it is bundled with Phase One’s Capture One 4 Lens and Focus optical correction technology.

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Press Release:

Phase One Introduces Tilt/Shift Lens
Based on Collaboration with Hartblei

Copenhagen, September 3, 2008 - Phase One A/S today announced an exclusive strategic alliance with Hartblei to drive medium format photographic lens innovation. The first product of this alliance is the Phase One 3.5/45 mm TS lens, based on the popular Hartblei 45 mm f/3.5 Super Rotator lens.

Specially designed for the professional photographer, this small, lightweight tilt shift lens is ideal for location or studio applications. It offers up to 12 mm shift and 8 degrees tilt for maximum flexibility.

Together Phase One and Hartblei have engineered important design advancements with this lens, including:

  • New 2008 batch optical glass with multi-layer coating
  • Improved 12 blade aperture design
  • Mechanics with tighter tolerances
  • New interior antireflection coating
  • More streamlined mechanical design

When used with the Phase One 645 camera system, the Phase One 3.5/45 mm TS lens offers a simple, alternative to more advanced technical cameras. With it, photographers can adjust the plane of focus without changing the depth of field, correct perspective and selectively sharpen and soften an image – quickly gaining creative possibilities that cannot be realized in post-production.

The Phase One 3.5/45 TS lens comprises a simple eight-lens optical system. Each element is coated with a multilayer anti-reflective coating to reduce internal reflections, increase image transmission efficiency and enhance contrast. The new lens is also is supported by Phase One’s Lens+ and Focus+ optical correction technologies available in Capture One 4.

Pricing and Availability
The Phase One 3.5/45 TS lens is 2.990€ / $3,990 and may be ordered now. It will be demonstrated at Photokina, at which time more details will be available. Volume shipment is expected in Q4 2008.

Phase One 3.5/45 mm TS lens specifications

Compatible Cameras Phase One 645 / Mamiya 645AFD
Focal length 45 mm (equivalent to 24 mm focal length for a 35mm camera)
Focusing manual
Maximum aperture 1:3.5
Aperture range 3.5 - 22 (manual)
Optical Construction 8 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view

83° (98° with optical unit shifted)
Minimum focusing distance

1.15 ft (0.35 m)
Filter size Ø82 mm
Lens movement

Individual rotation of both tilt and shift in any direction
Rotation movement range 360°, with click stops every 15°
Shift movement range 0 to 12 mm in any direction
Tilt movement range

0 to 8° in any direction
Standard Accessory Flower-shaped lens hood
Compatible Mount

For Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony
Weight 880 grams
Dimensions 96×110 mm