The new, worldwide Mamiya Leaf brand will integrate both companies' product lines into one complete medium-format digital camera system offering, while Mamiya and Leaf will continue to operate as distinct companies.

Phase One owns Leaf Imaging as well as a major share of the Mamiya brand.

The union of the Tokyo-based and Tel-Aviv-based brands will focus "on delivering new Mamiya Leaf camera systems," they say. "Unified support from worldwide Mamiya Leaf partners and distributors is also expected to be a major advantage for photographers as they will now be able to enjoy one-stop expert service for all of the various components of a Mamiya Leaf medium format digital camera system."

"We are aligning our resources to ensure that customers will benefit from the extensive expertise residing in both Tokyo and Tel Aviv," says Mamiya Digital Imaging president Toshio Midorikawa in a prepared statement. "We are confident that the synergy created and the efficiency gained by simplifying our operations will enable us to serve our customers faster and better."

Mamiya Leaf medium format digital systems comprise a range of equipment -- from 22 to 80 megapixels, with camera bodies manufactured by Mamiya and digital backs by Leaf.

For more information, visit www.mamiyaleaf.com.