Phase One & Mamiya. Yet another

"Phase One and Mamiya together are committed to equipping photographers with what they need to surpass even their most passionate visions and enjoy the process," said Henrik Håkonsson, CEO of Phase One. "Phase One is committed to open modular systems thus supporting photographers’ full freedom of choice." This answers the question as to which camera company with be accepting Phase One backs now that Hasselblad has chosen to build their "Integrated" and many say Closed system with the release of the H3D system.
This too is the second "Strategic alliance" by Phase One in the last 14 days.. Previously it was their Microsoft alliance as of 11/1/2007.
These two moves further strengthen Phase Ones already dominant 60% Digital Capture market share by offering greater medium format camera options primarily pro-summers but also to professionals; and in providing a lower cost medium format camera system that will work with the Phase One P+ series digital backs.
This certainly will continue to make it more cost effective for young photographers, photo assistants, photo students and pro-summers to gain access to the tools used for high-end digital capture with out needing to sell a kidney or take out a second mortgage. While Phase One digital backs have always been an option with Mamiya cameras; either via a dedicated digital back for the 645 AFD or by using an adapter plate such as the ones used for the Mamiya RZ Pro II and Pro IID cameras there are now clear indications that a new Mamiya/Phase cameras is in the works. ".... 'They' have been working on something for some time..".
Also a series of digital lenses is said to be in development. "...there is clearly an opening for 'Other' German lens manufactures to provide high quality lens options for the current or up coming Mamiya systems." ".. the possibility for there to be a series of high-end lenses in the some what near future is extremely good,.. actually it is extremely likely..."
Mamiya has been a dominant player in professional commercial photography for years and is ubiquitous on many fashion , catalog, and advertising shoots around the country.
The Mamiya 645 was the workhorse of choice before the Contax 645 came on the scene about 12 years ago. and now that Contax is gone and Hasselblad has focused on it's integrated system; Mamiya is still there waiting to be picked up and used again just like that old 68' Nova that sits parked in the street, and seems to be the only car that will start first thing in the morning in the dead of winter.
So where is Capture 1 Pro V.3.7.8 ?
"Yeah, it'll be out next week" , "Yeah, it'll be out next week" , "Yeah, it'll be out next week" , "Yeah, it'll be out next week" ... (Phase One internal response.)
Ok. you'll be able to stop holding your breath MAYBE, sometime during the first week of December.
Expect a few changes, mostly in terms of improved stability.
DO NOT expect support for OS X Leopard, "...if there is any improved support it will be 'Iffy at best'..." This a a direct quote from one of my Phase One sources