Independent camera manufacturer from Italy, Gibellini released a new medium format digital camera in the DCG66.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Gibellini DCG66 digital medium format camera
Prices:
- DCG66 (Body | GH-E Handle black delrin and black leather insert | GC Lens Mount for Rodenstock HR Digaron 50mm f4 | GFC Focusing Calibration System ) : EUR 2,900
- Rodenstock Digaron HR 50mm f4 with Focus Mount: EUR 6,085
- Hasselblad CFVII 100C : EUR 6,393
- Additional GC lens mount: EUR 535 for Rodenstock
- Additional GFC Focusing Calibration Ring: EUR 464
Price for the COMPLETE KIT – Launch Edition the COMPLETE KIT: EUR 15,100 + VAT
Available for pre-order now, email to [email protected].
Commentary
This is a new release from the independent camera maker Gibellini. The company is quite young, with beginnings in 2014 when the founder, Alessandro Gibellini was only 24 years old. In the early days, the brand was involved in the manufacture of folding large format cameras, using metal construction. Most folding large format cameras are made of wood. With few exceptions, notably Linhof which has a metal construction, new designs like Intrepid and Chamonix were made of wood and carbon fibre. In contrast, studio monorail large format cameras like my Sinar are usually made from metal. Gibellini began to produce their folding cameras in metal, and often with interesting and visually attractive designs. An example is the piece unique 8×10 camera made for Horacio Pagani, inspired by the Huayra.
This year, they released a camera which is designed for the medium format world. Their first and in time to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. The basic camera made by Gibellini is a precision machined metal body coupled to a precision helicoid focusing and lens mounting and shutter trigger system. The launch edition comes with the superb Rodenstock lenses, but the intent is for other third party lenses to be able use the system. The other side of the body is coupled to the Hasselblad CFV digital back or V film back to complete the camera.
As Hasselblad does not sell the CFV 100C or the CFV II 50C backs on their own but only bundled with the 907X body, it may seem, at first glance, that the Gibellini DCG66 body is redundant. It is just a replacement of the 907X, but lacking autofocus and communications between lens and back. And if the use case is with native Hasselblad XCD lenses, this is true. But the DCG66’s use case wider, and allows the superb CFV 100C (and CFV II 50C) digital backs and V series film backs to take advantage of the other lenses. Like the superior Rodenstock Digaron lenses. The 907X does not allow lenses other than Hasselblad XCD lenses to be used, and third party solutions to adapt lenses are not elegant nor recommended.
The Gibellini DCG66 camera is thus, right in my wheelhouse. I have used, quite extensively, the Alpa 12 TC which is possibly its nearest competitor. I am also familiar with the 12 TC’s bigger brothers: the 12 STC and the 12 Plus with various lenses. I also currently have on loan from Phase One, the XT with Rodenstock lenses in X-Shutters. ( review coming soon! ) So perhaps as a first impressions, allow me to make quick comparisons to the Alpa 12 TC.
This concept is very similar to the one offered by Alpa in the 12 TC. A compact metal body, with the ability to strap on a high end digital back. In the case of the Gibellini the back is limited to the “new” (a 2023 release, but deliveries only since early 2024) Hasselblad CFV 100C. The mount used by the CFV 100C is the same as that used in the Hasselblad V cameras, so the DCG66 will accept the A12 (6×6) and A16 (6×4.5) film backs as well. We note that if used with the film back, the lens need to be equipped with its own shutter. In a digital system, the back’s electronic shutter can be used. The Alpa is perhaps more versatile as it can accept the Hasselblad digital backs, but also, in addition it works with Phase One backs, as well as the mirrorless Hasselblad and Fujifilm GFX versions. The Alpa can also accept film backs of many makes ranging from the said Hasselblad A12/A16 backs to Mamiya RB/RZ backs and Linhof analog backs.
The Alpa system mounts the lenses on a lens board which is clipped onto the body, similar to a large format camera, but the Gibellini uses a direct mount system which securely locks the lens directly on the body, a concept which is similar to a medium format camera, but instead of rotating the lens assembly to lock, Gibellini uses a push button to lock the lens into the body.
The Gibellini lens assembly is made up of the GC lens mount which is the flange connection with the body, the GFC (Gibellini Focusing Calibration system) and the lens. The focus helicoid is supplied by the lens manufacturer, in the most common case, this will be the Rodenstock which comes with aperture unit and focus helicoid. The GFC’s primary role is to calibrate the lens but it can also be used for fine adjustments for focusing as a complete 360 rotation of the GFC moves the lens by only 1mm.
The photographer can choose to buy the complete lens assembly from Gibellini, in which case, the infinity focus calibration will be done in the factory. If the photographer has his own lens, then he can just order a GC+GFC with the appropriate lens mount, either Rodenstock or other supported lenses. And make the adjustment himself. This is an advantage to the Gibellini system versus the Alpa as the photographer has the option to do it himself or he can also send his lens to Gibellini for this adjustment to be performed. In the Alpa ecosystem, he only has the latter option.
This construction is similar the Alpa, where the lens flange is achieved with flange cones which is fixed in factory when ordering each lens. Alpa further provides the option to use their HPF (High Precision Focus helicoid) system for lenses which do not come with focus helicoid. Precision adjustments on the Alpa for each lens for infinity stop is done in the factory during the lens construction and managed through the flange cones. Fine adjustments for the back use thin shims. While the Gibellini is able to do both these adjustments with their GFC system. Once complete, the settings locked when complete for each back, and remain unchanged. This system is able to make calibrations at the micrometric level.
We are exploring with Gibellini to see if a loaner camera can be extended for us to test and report back. Stay tuned.
Release information
Reproduced complete and unabridged.
“Since 2014, when I was 24 years old and I decided to found the Gibellini 4 Camera company in a small garage of 8 square meters, my philosophy was to create something new, unique and special inspired by the essence of the future.
The Gibellini Camera project born as Large Format camera company with the vision and aim to rediscover the wonder of analog photography exalted at the highest levels thanks to the large format.
I have always been attracted by challenges and the search for innovative solutions inspired by the aerospace and naval world, maximum expression of the insane and continuous search of humanity, the thirst for Knowledge.
In 2024, for the 10th Anniversary of the Gibellini Camera company, will be launched the first ever Gibellini Medium Format Camera, the DCG66.
After years of studies and developments it represent the fifth essence of design and the search of uniqueness closely linked to ergonomics in every single detail, without compromising on maximum precision and stability.
Perfectly in line with the Gibellini philosophy, the careful research of the best and innovative materials and the best craftmanship represent an indelible trademark visible in each component of the DCG66 camera.
Enjoy it and I hope i was able to express on the DCG66 the passion and the extreme devotion that i have dedicated on it.”
Allesandro Gibellini, CEO – Founder Gibellini Design
One of the greatest needs and convenience for a photographer is to have a practical, convenient and reliable camera system and equipment.
The DCG66 has been designed to meet numerous requests for cross compatibility between different lenses and different backs.
Specifically designed for Rodenstock 2 Digaron 3 HR W-SW 32 | 40 | 50 | and 90mm optics, the camera accepts many types of lenses thanks to adapter rings and special flanges with calibrated dimensions according to the focal length of each optics.
The special Gibellini Focusing Calibration (GFC) mechanism allows to calibrate micrometrically each optic with the sensor plane of the digital back, as to always have a perfect match of the whole system.
The Gibellini Camera Lens Mount (GC) has been studied to ensure a quick automatic fixing of the lens to the camera body with sensitive clicks and without allowing any play or movement.
The camera body accept both digital and analog Hasselblad V backs to offer the photographer the best shooting management and the easiest creative choice, simply changing the back and replacing with one screw the handle, GH-E for the digital backs and GH-A for the analog backs.
WHEN PRECISION MEETS AESTHETICS
Each work represents a state of the Art
Observing a CNC machine that mill and digs an Aluminium or Titanium component from solid, comes to mind a sentimental dance where every movement has its sole purpose the creation of perfection.
Centesimal tolerances in couplings allow the DCG66 to be extremely precise, fluid and smooth in movements without play.
All this combined with the search for style and design to be ergonomic and innovative at the same time. The DCG66 represents therefore the State of the Art of the creation and the technique in the various materials of the Gibellini products.
ASSEMBLING
Delicate mounting operations are necessary to ensure precision and accurancy on the DCG66.
The parts are checked one by one by specialized staff throgh measuring machines in order to eliminate the non-compliant components.
If a component is not in tolerance is eliminated directly and replaced with an appropriate one.
GC LENS MOUNT
AUTOMATIC LOCKING
A new Concept, zero clearance automatic locking system on the GC Lens Mount for a perfect and precision fixing of the lens with the camera body.
Simple.Fast.Innovative
SPECIFIC RELEASE
Trough a specific release, it’s pos-sible change the lens according to the photographer needs. To change the lens you only need to open one lever and rotate the GC Lens Mount in the direction of the indicated arrow.
GFC – CALIBRATION
CALIBRATION RING
Rotate the Calibration Ring to find the perfect match of infinity focus between the lens in max aperture and the digital back
Precision.Smoothness.Accurancy
GRADUATE SCALES
Use the graduated scales on the ring with centesimal step to find the correct distance and fix the ring through the special screw and tool (0.7 hexagonal tool head).
Gibellini DCG66 Specifications
Dimensions: 96 x 96 x 25 mm (body only)
Weight: 520 gr (Body: 205gr | Delrin Handle: 185gr | GC Lens Mount: 115 gr)
Materials: Aluminium AL6082 (Body | GC Lens Mount)
Backs: Compatible with Analog and Digital Hasselblad®1 V Backs (CFV50c version I & II and CFV100c)
Construction: Machined CNC, custom coating on surfaces, machined graduate scales
Lenses:
Compatible with Rodenstock ® 2 HR Digaron3 W-SW line lenses (32|40|50|90mm ). Compatible with different lenses ( COPAL 0 | COPAL 1 shutter ) producing special flanges ( based on the focal lenght to infinity). Max mount diameter 80mm
Shutter: Electronic Shutter from Digital back | Leaf Shutter from COPAL 0 or 1 on lenses
Shutter Impulse: Electric impulse with the GH-E (compatible only with the digital backs), Shutter ca- ble release with the GH-A
Focusing: Manual focus with dedicate helical mount for each lens, Live View with Digital Backs.
GFC Focusing Calibration: Micrometrical thread to make fine correction of infinity focus on each lens coupled to the sensor.
Tripod Mount: FastMount compatible with Arca Swiss dovetail with 1/8″ screw
