“I’m Back MF” Medium Format Digital Back is Now in Production

December 19^th, 2019

“I’m Back MF” Medium Format Digital Back is Now in Production

by Olaf von VossDecember 19^th, 2019

I’m Back is back, indeed. With this handy accessory, you can breathe new life into old SLR cameras. I’m Back MF is a digital back for analogue medium format cameras, so you can kind of digitize your father’s tech with it. I’m Back MF is now in its final design and the production has begun.

credit: I’m Back

Granted, we reported about this device before (read about the original version for analogue 35mm SLR cameras here and read this article about the Kickstarter campaign of the first design iteration of I’m Back MF). We even presented the man behind all this, Samuel Mello Medeiros, a cinema5D award at Photokina 2018. So… we’re fans!

I’m Back MF

Digital backs for old(ish) analogue medium format SLR cameras are not a new thing. But they tend to be very expensive. Not so the I’m Back MF: It’s obviously not as good as these professional high-end backs but, and that might the unique selling point here, it doesn’t have to. If you want the latest and greatest in tech, why bother with a giant analogue camera in the first place? This device is for passionate photographers who aim for that special medium format look without breaking the bank.

the finalized design (with the screen still missing). credit: I’m Back

And it’s suitable for shooting video, too. Again, you won’t get a high-end video monster but a device that delivers a very unique look.

Specifications

Here are the specs but be advised that these can change until the final units ship around June 2020 (However, Samuel told us that the specs below will be at least the same or better):

Sensor: 16MP CMOS Sensor Panasonic MN34112
Processor: Sumplus v50M
Picture System: Focusing screen
Video Resolution: 6K 5760 x 3240 / 12fps // 4K 3840 x 2160/30 fps // 1920 x 1080p/ 60 fps // 1280 x 720p / 120 fps
Video aspect: Focusing screen/Vintage
Picture Size: (interpolate 20M, 24mp) real:16M 12M 10M 8M 5M 3M VGA
Video Format: MOV
Picture Format: JPG Color/Sepia/B&W & RAW
Storage Capacity: Micro SD Max 128Gb
USB Interface: USB TYPE-C
Display: 2.0″capacitive touch screen
ISO: 100 – 3200
Auto White: yes
Balance: yes
Auto Eve: yes
Picture ip: yes
WIFI: yes
Remote: yes (via mobile phone)
Language EN FR ES PT DE IT CN RU JP
Battery: F 750 7,8 v – lithium battery
System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows7, Mac os 10.3.6 and above

credit: I’m Back

A Sony NP-F style battery powers the whole thing and even wifi is onboard. With it you can connect your smartphone and control the I’m Back MF. Several adapters for attaching the back to a given medium format SLR are available, cameras such as

Rolleiflex Automat
Mamiya RB67 / Mamiya 645 / Mamiya C330
Kiev 88
Hasselblad 500 / SWC / 1000
Bronica S /Bronica ETSsi

are being supported. The actual image is projected onto a ground glass and the built-in camera of the I’m Back MF then captures the resulting image (or video).

Pricing

The I’m Back MF is now in production and will be ready for shipping in June 2020. You can head over to Indiegogo for pre-ordering (caution: it’s still a crowdfunding platform with all its risks, so not a proper pre-order). Pricing is 409€ through Indiegogo (that’s 10% off the regular price). An additional adapter for another medium format SLR make and model clocks in at 118€.

credit: I’m Back

The finalized I’m Back MF will be shown at Photokina 2020 along with a possible updated design of the original 35mm version. Let’s wait and see what Samuel has on offer then!

Demo Photos

Here are some test shots Samuel sent us which were shot with the new I’m Back MF. They were shot with a Hasselblad 500cm and the first prototype of the focusing screen which according to Samuel wasn’t very good – he says the new one is better and has a finer structure.