Seitz D3 Scan Back – The Digital Revolution in Panoramic Photography

The new technology allows to create lively digital images ranging from medium format, 6×17 panoramas to 360° panoramas in a very short time. For example, a 160 million pixel 6×17 panorama takes one second, while a 360° digital 470 million pixel panorama (with 80mm lens) is captured in approximately 2 seconds. This means: high resolution images full of speed, motion and life!

Over the last years Seitz has worked closely with specialists of DALSA Corporation to develop a custom-built scanning sensor – the first of its kind – specifically for photography. The sensor is based on time-delay-integration (TDI) technology, allowing a very high read-out speed and flexible sensivity control by using stages, smaller or larger areas of the sensor for sensitivity control, without creating additional noise. The sensor has a vertical resolution of 7,500 pixels, which is ideal for using world-class medium format lenses. The sensor is built with the latest DALSA technology, incorporating for example a high dynamic range, 48-bit colour depth and a powerful anti-blooming feature.

For photokina 2006 Seitz presents three new products based on this new technology: the Seitz D3 scan back, the Seitz 6×17 Digital and the Roundshot D3 panorama cameras. The Seitz D3 scan back cassette can be adapted to the new panorama cameras and – in the future – also to medium or large format cameras.

The new Seitz Roundshot products will be available as of January 2007. The Seitz D3 scan back is priced at 36’000 Swiss Francs (22’900 Euro). Both the Seitz 6×17 Digital and the Roundshot D3 panorama camera are available as a mobile version (including a portable storage device and handheld control unit) and as a studio version. The Seitz 6×17 Digital including the Seitz D3 scan back costs 45’500 Swiss Francs (28’900 Euro) for the mobile and 42’300 Swiss Francs (26’900 Euro) for the studio version. The price of the Roundshot D3 panorama camera with Seitz D3 scan back is 46’900 Swiss Francs (29’800 Euro) for the mobile and 43’700 Swiss Francs (28’800 Euro) for the studio version.