For those that remember, I switched to Phase One’s iQ280 / 645DF+ medium format system last year, and have never looked back. The image quality is simply stunning, and I can honestly say it is the best camera system I’ve ever used.

Since then, a few more technological advances have been made by Phase One, most recently including the introduction of their 1.3x crop 50 megapixel CMOS iQ250 digital back. One thing digital Medium Format camera systems have historically struggled with is high-ISO noise when you push them too hard – the iQ250’s sensor is not only the world’s first medium format CMOS digital camera back, but it’s also one of the most capable low-light performers I’ve ever seen.

645df iq250 medium format digital back camera system phase one contest win

So, they’re celebrating the launch by running a photo contest which offers a month’s use of the full system (lens, 645DF+ body and iQ250 digital back) as the prize – worth $5,000! (Yes, you have to give it back after a month – the full system is quite a bit more than that to buy…!)

The full details are in the copy below; it’s open to everyone and free to enter. Better still, (along with two other great photographers – Michael Woloszynowicz and Tim Kemple) I’m one of the judges for the competition 🙂

Phase One Photo Contest Win iQ250 Competition 2014 2015 Paul Reiffer Judges

  • For those of you who have always wanted to see how Medium Format camera systems perform, this is a great opportunity.
  • For those who want to take the next step in terms of image quality, there’s no better time to give it a try
  • For those who simply want to see if you have an image that cuts the mustard with the team at Phase One, what better way to get your work in front of them while at the same time returning with a very cool camera to use all around the world for a month?!

So what do you have to do? Simple – just enter by clicking here (having read the full terms and conditions by clicking here) and upload your photo.

You need to “theme” your image with the simple catch-phrase: “What the world’s best [your theme] is made of”. Maybe it’s “what the world’s best cities are made of” or “what the world’s best love story is made of” – it can be of any theme, any subject.

It’s absolutely free to enter, and based on the $5,000 prize (along with a lot of exposure for your work), I’d say it’s worth a quick upload 😉

Good luck!