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Chris Ireland, Phase One's representative in the north east of England, is a very keen and talented landscape photographer. This is important, because if he were not I guess it is unlikely he would have got in touch.I first met Chris summer of 2006. I have always been curious about new gear, and didn't want to turn down this chance to use the P45. While the back itself was amazing,, my commitments with work made the possibility of adopting it then impossible. Chris came to see me again in 2007, and by 2008 his enthusiasm and knowledge of the equipment, and crucially the software Capture One, convinced me to buy.

1. Image on the  above left is Sandy Mouth Taken on Horseman SWD & 35mm Rodenstock lens
2. Image on the above right is a 100% enlargement of the original shot

Owning the Phase has been startling. The quality of the files is truly amazing, and although I have used some extremely fine dslr's for assignment work, Phase files are a quantum leap better in terms of tonal quality, colour, sharpness, absence of noise, fine detail. Comparable to 5x4? Absolutely, in fact, in many situations they are superior.

I have not given up film. I still shoot 5x4 with my Ebony as I still think the transparency is a thing of wonder and beauty to behold. But most of my work is seen and appreciated in print form, whether in books, cards, calendars, posters or as a fine art print. For printing, film has to be scanned to create a digital file anyway. The Phase is so good that no–one I know can see the difference between top quality large format scans and Phase captures when in printed form. But I know the Phase file is much easier to manage and to create the right colour and tonal values

At the moment I can use the P45+ on my Ebony (where it effectively becomes a ‘long lens’), on my Hasselblad 503, and on a Horseman SWD. While this does make it terrifically versatile, none of these setups is a perfect solution for the landscape photographer. Very soon Linhof should be making their new camera available and when that happens the P45+ will truly come of age for me. It is an exciting prospect.

1. Image above Transporter Bridge at Night Taken on Horseman SWD &35mm Rodenstock lens

I am a slow photographer. I take my time over my images, aiming to make one great photograph a session if I possibly can. The Phase works perfectly for this approach. While I certainly shoot a few more exposures than with 5x4, and that is part of the freedom and appeal of digital capture, I always aim to make every one count. Sometime I only shoot one exposure. If that is sufficient, why shoot more? But where there is a great element of unpredictability in the subject (eg moving water), knowing I can edit later from a variety of exposures that the histogram confirms are correct, is a good solution. It is ascetically designed with zero frills, it is not automated (at least with the camera systems I use), and is without doubt the most rewarding digital equipment I have used. It looks, feels and appears to be superbly rugged; in pouring rain in Canada during the autumn it performed without a hiccup.

1. Image on the  above left is  Taylor Creek Canada Taken on Ebony 45SU & 150mm Sironar S film lens
2. Image on the above right is 100% Enlargment

As I move out of the novice digital photographer stage to something slightly competent I feel it will reward my approach even more. I am very driven to improve as a photographer, and I believe digital capture can help me in that quest. I do not expect it to happen overnight, but I am already seeing the benefits, working with the P45+. I am looking forward to really moving forward with it in the years ahead.