1. •The bottom line? Maybe the U.S. will see a new / updated Mamiya 645ZD kit consisting of the Mamiya 645AFD III, the new 80mm F2.8 AF D lens and the updated back for $9,999. This is just pure speculation on my part.
   

2. •Phase One is promising Mamiya MEF file support in C1 Version 4 - release 4.1. C1 Version 4 is a very nice raw editor and I enjoyed using it with the P25, and still use it with Canon 1Ds Mark III. The improved user interface is a welcome change compared to the old C1 LE and C1 Pro v3.7.8. Note, many ZD back users like the colors and overall rendering produced by the RAW Developer file editor.
   

3. •Lastly, the ZD back uses a Dalsa sensor (no change).  FYI - This is the same Dalsa sensor used in the Sinar Emotion 22 and Leaf Aptus-22 backs. This sensor has a good reputation for even color across the entire sensor. The sensor does best when there is plenty of light. Note, the Sinar and Leaf backs have 16 bit files, so there are differences in file the signal path and so forth.
   

At $9,999 the Mamiya 645ZD kit is still the best medium format value on the market. As discussed in the 645 Blog, there are some limitations in the Mamiya 645AFD II set-up such as: how do we select the 3 auto-focus points? Is this like Canon dSLR where we simply press a button and scroll to the desired point? The Mamiya 645AFD III still uses the 6 AA batteries. That means batteries for the body plus a battery for the back - that is a tedious set-up and translates into packing TWO charging systems when traveling. I can’t be too hard on the Mamiya 645ZD - the price is excellent and the system performs well. Just be keep in mind its limitations.

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008

Quick update - there is a thread in the Phase One user forums discussing the Phase One 645 AF camera body. Since the Mamiya 645AFD III and Phase One 645 AF are the same camera, you can assume everything written about the Phase One 645 AF is also true for the Mamiya 645AFD III. Here is the link for thread.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008

A couple more quick updates.  Phase One released the latest C1 software update (Version 4.1) which adds lens corrections and support for the Mamiya MEF files!  Finally!!! I have never been a fan of Adobe’s raw file conversions and I suspect Phase One’s C1 will do much better. Check out Phase One’s website’s for all the latest. It sounds as if there may be some hiccups to the installation / upgrade process, so before installing - check out the Luminous-Landscape medium format forum and / or the Phase One C1 forum.

Next, an ongoing question about the Mamiya 645AFD III (and Phase One P645) was how to select individual AF points. This is done by pressing a button next the LCD screen and turning the data wheel. Sounds simple enough. A colleague attended a Phase One P645 seminar in New York. The center focus AF point is relatively quick and accurate whereas the left & right AF points are inaccurate and tend to hunt. It sounds like Mamiya made the points individually accessible via firmware, but did not improve the actual AF sensors compared to those found in the 645AFD II. The Capture Integration website has some pictures showing close-ups of the buttons.

A good auto-focus system is one way Phase One could differentiate themselves substantially from the other camera makers. Hopefully with the combined resources of the Phase One & Mamiya, the Mamiya engineers will push ahead and eventually deliver a dSLR-like auto focus system.

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2008

Phase One C1 Version 4.1’s MEF File Support - Follow-up

As promised Phase One did add Mamiya MEF file support in C1 Version 4.1. However, there is only a “Mamiya ZD Generic” profile. Phase One backs typically have 4 to 8 profiles, each optimized for portrait, landscapes, flash, product on white, product on black, etc. Phase One did NOT include LCC (Lens Cast Correction) support for MEF files. LCC is useful for removing white balance cast caused by the sensor and / or lens. Phase One does NOT plan to add LCC support for Mamiya cameras / backs in the future. For those researching lens cast, Leaf, Hasselblad and Sinar also have provisions for removing sensor & lens cast.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008

Mamiya ZD Camera Review started - HERE!

In October 2008 I purchased a Mamiya ZD camera and have started adding updates to the 645 Blog about my experiences with it. I have been following the camera for a couple years, so it is quite exciting to actually get to use one. The Mamiya ZD camera “review” starts here. I am currently use both Phase One’s C1 software and Irident’s RAW Developer, so I hope to have some feedback on each application in the upcoming weeks. I can only speak about my ZD camera, but so far I have no seen any signs for sensor or lens cast. I was very concerned about this potential problem, so it has been a big relief to see cast-free files.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2009

How to identify the newer Mamiya ZDb Digital Back (Double Buffer)

While googling for some information on the Mamiya ZD a couple weeks ago, I stumbled across this little tid-bit of information November 2008 Mamiya press release (click here) for the Double Buffer ZD - “To distinguish between models, the “Mamiya ZD Back” logo is printed in red.” During the several months there have been several different types of ZD Back auctions on Ebay - some with the Mamiya 645AFD III, some with the older Mamiya 645AFD II. I have wondered if those kits came with the updated Mamiya ZD Back Double Buffer version. Some of the auction descriptions stated that they were indeed for the new(er) double buffer version. If you are shopping for a ZD Back, have the seller end a picture of ZD Back’s rear LCD area. If the text under the display is in red (and not white), then it is the newer Double Buffer version. 

B&H Photo lists the original Mamiya ZD back as “Discontinued”. This implies the Mamiya ZDb Double Buffer back replaces the original Mamiya ZD Back; however, the Mamiya website still lists both versions. B&H Photo does list the Mamiya ZD kit, but shows it as containing the Mamiya 645AFD II. The newer bundles come with 645AFD III, so if you are shopping for a ZD kit, call B&H and see if they are shipping an updated bundle. Ideally the bundle would be the Mamiya 645AFD III, Mamiya ZDb Double Buffer Back and the Mamiya 80mm AF F2.8 “D” lens (our review here).