AUTO FOCUS PERFORMANCE

The auto-focus system in the Mamiya ZD dSLR feels similar to the Mamiya 645AFD II’s both in terms of speed and sound. The auto-focus works fine for still subjects in reasonably good light. Focus can be surprisingly accurate - especially when set to spot mode. The focus mode can easily be changed from spot (uses just the single center AF point), to wide (uses all three AF points), to right to left via the rear thumb pad. Changing focus points is beyond quick an simple; however, I tend to leave the ZD in “spot” mode. Having the option to switch to the right or left point is nice, but in practice the three points are so close together that I do not see any reason to select them.

Like the older Nikon and Pentax cameras, the auto focus motor is in the ZD camera body. There is no motor in the Mamiya lenses like the more modern Canon USM lenses. As such, focus is slower and noisier. The focus noise is similar to a Canon EF 50mm F1.8. For candids, portraits, stills, landscapes, etc., the single shot auto focus should be fine for most occasions. Overall the auto focus performance feels similar to a Canon 85L in terms of speed and likelihood of hunting. There is a continuous focus mode which worked surprisingly well tracking incoming jets landing at DFW airport.

BATTERY LIFE

On two occasions I have shot approximately 175 images within a 2 hour period. During that period the battery meter showed the battery as fully charged. The same battery was then used off and on for several days with 25-50 clicks per day, plus some LCD time playing with custom functions and camera parameters. Battery life appears to be in the range 300 to 500 clicks per charge. This depends upon how much time passes between uses, ambient temperatures and battery condition. Compared to using AAA batteries in a 645AFD II and separate LiON batteries in a digital, the single battery system in the Mamiya ZD is a great improvement. Mamiya replacement batteries are very expensive, the following 3rd party will work also:

1. •Hitachi VM BLP13 or 13A Batteries
   

2. •JVC BN-V814 Battery
   

3. •Energizer ER-C610 Battery
   

THE 1.8” LCD SCREEN

The rear LCD is too small to be of benefit. Reviewing an image takes 3 to 4 seconds and is not worth the wait. Instead I just keep shooting. If there is a risk of missing focus, then I focus bracket. If I am not sure how much exposure compensation is needed, then I bracket exposure. It is easier and quicker to just shoot a couple extra frames. Fortunately the initial image review after a picture is taken is fairly quick. I have the screen set to the large histogram and it displays the histogram about 2 seconds after the picture is taken. On the downside, the ZD will NOT display the histogram of the first image if a second image is taken before the first image is finished writing to the CF card. If shooting one image at time and checking the histogram after each image, then the pace is okay. The LCD is fine for setting camera parameters and custom functions. I can live with the situation, but it will be frustrating. The Phase One P25’s image review was quicker and the histograms popped up fairly quickly, but its LCD image quality was horrible too.

IMAGE BUFFER & SPEED OF OPERATION

I tend to shoot 2 to 3 frames in relatively quick succession - maybe 1-2 seconds apart. Not once has the buffer been an issue. I have rattled off 4 or 5 images in a burst and then went on to shoot several single shot frames without issue. With about 1000 frames thus far, the buffer has not been an issue. The ZD is not a sports camera. If working with models and trying to go with the flow, the ZD lacks buffer size and speed. For all intents and purposes, the ZD’s max ISO is 100. With ISO 100 and the slowish focus speeds, the ZD is not the right tool for chasing kids around either. It will be hard enough to get the picture in the first place, so filling the buffer is the least of the issues. On the other hand, if typically shooting a frame every 2 or 3 seconds, then ZD keeps up just fine. Fortunately there is status bar in the viewfinder showing the amount of available buffer. And it works well.

The last bits about the LCD and buffer were quite negative sounding, so I would like add - shooting with the Mamiya ZD dSLR is a very pleasant experience.Treat it like a big Cadillac from the 50’s on a Sunday drive, and it is a nice ride.