Mastering Medium Format Photography Anywhere with Outex: Phase One Field Test

Why Medium Format Photographers Need Protection Beyond the Studio

For professional photographers, medium format cameras such as the Phase One system represent the pinnacle of image quality. These cameras deliver unmatched resolution, color accuracy, and dynamic range—making them essential tools for studio photography, fine art landscapes, and commercial work.

But outside the controlled studio, these powerful systems face their greatest challenge: weather, water, dust, and unpredictable environments. Unlike many smaller DSLR or mirrorless models, Phase One cameras are not weather-sealed, which leaves them vulnerable in outdoor or extreme conditions.

This is where Outex waterproof camera housings transform what’s possible.

@Emnanuel Bournot

Enter Outex—the industry’s best optical imaging solution for protecting high-end cameras in extreme environments without sacrificing image quality.

Outex: Professional Camera Protection Without Compromise

Outex is the industry’s leading solution for protecting high-end cameras and lenses in extreme environments—from underwater shoots to rain, snow, desert dust, and beyond. Unlike bulky hard-shell housings that restrict functionality, Outex’s patented system allows:

• Full access to camera controls – buttons, dials, and touchscreen included.

• Optical glass ports – ensuring no distortion or loss of sharpness.

• Lightweight, compact design – easy to travel with compared to traditional housings.

With Outex, medium format photographers can take their Phase One, Hasselblad, or Pentax systems anywhere, without compromising image quality.

Why Medium Format Photographers Trust Outex

Medium format cameras are an investment in photographic excellence, but their size, complexity, and price make them particularly vulnerable in outdoor settings. Whether you're capturing fine art landscapes, high-end fashion in remote locations, or underwater commercial work, you need reliable protection without compromise.

Unlike traditional waterproof housings that add bulk and limit usability, Outex’s innovative design maintains full camera functionality while shielding your gear from water, sand, dirt, and dust. The optically superior glass ports ensure that the exceptional sharpness and clarity of medium format sensors remain uncompromised.

Multiple medium-format Photographers around the world use Outex underwater camera housing with their Pentax, PhaseOne, Hasselblad, and other cameras. Digital Transitions is one of the largest Phase One distributors in the United States and asked to test Outex with their cameras in Los Angeles, CA. Here's a quick overview of the installation, operational use, and optical/visual testing. We were using the Large Pro Kit cover, 105mm optical front glass, and viewfinder-mounted rear glass "floating" configuration. The tripod mounted rear glass would also work, but we're considering making a Phase One viewfinder mount.

@Tim Campbell

Outex: Professional Camera Protection Without Compromise

Outex is the industry’s leading solution for protecting high-end cameras and lenses in extreme environments—from underwater shoots to rain, snow, desert dust, and beyond. Unlike bulky hard-shell housings that restrict functionality, Outex’s patented system allows:

• Full access to camera controls – buttons, dials, and touchscreen included.

• Optical glass ports – ensuring no distortion or loss of sharpness.

• Lightweight, compact design – easy to travel with compared to traditional housings.

With Outex, medium format photographers can take their Phase One, Hasselblad, or Pentax systems anywhere, without compromising image quality.

Digital Transitions invited Outex for a meeting at their LA offices so they could help advise customers inquiring about the product in inclement, adverse environments.  PhaseOne cameras are known for being some of the best digital imaging tools in the world.  These cameras are not weather-sealed, and wary photographers want useful, cost-effective ways to protect their investments in the rain, dust, or other potentially harmful environments.

Case Study: Digital Transitions x Outex Testing

Digital Transitions, the largest Phase One distributor in the U.S., recently tested Outex housings with their Phase One cameras at their Los Angeles office. Their goal was to evaluate whether Outex could provide reliable protection while maintaining the world-class optical performance expected from medium format gear.

Testing Setup:

• Outex Large Pro Kit cover

• 105mm optical front glass

• Rear glass “floating” configuration (tripod-mounted also tested)

• Phase One medium format cameras & lenses

Results:

• Full camera functionality: Buttons, programmable controls, and multiple LCD touchscreens worked flawlessly inside the housing.

• Optical excellence: Special A/B testing using Capture One software confirmed Outex glass delivered minimal to indiscernible differences compared to shooting without it. 5 of 6 Digital Solutions experts could not discern which images where shot with or without the Outex optical port!

• Professional approval: Ken Scott of Digital Transitions confirmed Outex optics met the stringent visual standards Phase One photographers demand.

“The Outex system allowed Phase One cameras to perform in environments they were never designed for—without compromise in usability or image quality.”

Key Benefits of Outex for Medium Format Photography

• ✅ Full Camera Control – Maintain unrestricted use of dials, buttons, and touchscreens.

• ✅ Optical Excellence – Premium glass ports preserve sharpness, dynamic range, and color fidelity.

• ✅ Lightweight & Travel-Ready – Portable and compact compared to hard-shell housings.

• ✅ Durable & Versatile – Protects against water, dust, sand, snow, and extreme weather.

Whether shooting underwater commercial campaigns, remote fashion editorials, or fine art landscapes in rugged terrain, Outex enables Phase One and other medium format users to expand creative possibilities.

Elevate Your Photography Without Limits

If you’re investing in the world’s best medium format cameras, you need protection that matches their performance. Outex empowers photographers to take their gear anywhere—studio, desert, mountain, or ocean—without compromise.

👉 Explore the full range of Outex waterproof housings for Phase One, Hasselblad, and Pentax medium format cameras and join the community of world-class photographers redefining what’s possible.

Designed for Uncompromised Image Quality

The Outex system is engineered with precision optical glass ports that preserve the unparalleled resolution and color accuracy of medium format sensors. Unlike plastic alternatives, Outex’s glass optics eliminate distortions and reflections, ensuring your images retain their original integrity.

In addition to trying the current large Pro Kit covers on their cameras and various accessories to ensure functional control was maintained, Digital Transitions tried a couple of different lenses that may be suitable for outdoor photography use.

After each functional tests was met satisfactorily both for the hard, programmable buttons and multiple LCD touch screen displays on the camera and accessories, Ken Scott from Digital Transitions also conducted the special imaging optical test with the Outex 105mm front glass sample to ensure that Outex's American glass optics would meet the stringent visual standards that a PhaseOne type customer would expect.  

Utilizing a PhaseOne 35mm lens and their Capture one software for analysis, the unanimous conclusion was very favorable, indicating minimal to indiscernible variations in an A/B testing between using or not using the Outex front glass optics. 5 of 6 Digital Solutions experts could not discern which images where shot with or without the Outex optical port!

Key Benefits of Outex for Medium Format Photography:

• Full Camera Control – Maintain access to dials, buttons, and touchscreen controls for an uninterrupted shooting experience.

• Optical Excellence – Glass ports ensure no loss in sharpness, dynamic range, or color accuracy.

• Lightweight & Compact – Unlike hard-shell housings, Outex is portable, easy to pack, and doesn’t add unnecessary bulk.

• Versatile & Durable – From underwater shoots to desert landscapes, Outex protects against moisture, dust, and extreme weather.

@Peter Eastway

Elevate Your Photography Without Limits

If you're a professional photographer looking to push creative boundaries while ensuring your investment in top-tier gear remains safe, Outex is your ultimate solution. Whether capturing fine art landscapes, high-end fashion, or commercial work in extreme conditions, Outex lets you focus on the shot—not the elements.

Ready to take your medium format camera anywhere? Explore Outex solutions and join the world’s leading photographers in redefining what's possible with high-end photography protection.