Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: LA30 on June 09, 2007, 08:21:58 pm
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I am interested in purchasing a MFDB system, I will be getting the phaseone p30 + and I need a camera system to go with it. Contax is out for me and I have owned the mamiya 645 years ago when I shot film and liked it OK. But over the last 2 years I have rented the H1 or H2 with the digital backs. Most rental houses seem to rent the Hasselblad. The price for a camera kit and a few lenses is dramatically different. Is the mamiya crap? I would love to get some professional thoughts on this. Mamiya boast a lens test 7 years old on their site. The 80mm from mamiya is $600.00 and Hassi is $1800.00
Thanks,
Ken
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The Mamiya is a very substantial camera system. Lenses are very sharp, the whole system is tried and true. Some would say it is a more robust and rugged system that the Hassy. It is a very high quality system.
The difference falls to other feature differences such as synch speeds etc. You have to decide what you need and go from there.
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Hi
I have shot both & own the Mamiya 645 AFD, AFDII ,ZD & about 5 lenses. Last year due to a back software screw up I ended shooting a job with both the H2 & AFDII with a 120mm lens. I looked at both files that were shot with the Aptus 22 & could barely tell the difference. In the end I felt the tonality was better with the mamiya 120 lens. I had owned a Hasselblad 500cm for 18 years before I switched to the mamiya 645 AF system. I have no regrets and love the quality of the mamiya glass. I also like the fact that the mamiya lenses are very affordable so you can build a system with out breaking the bank. They also have 2 new lenses the 28mm & 75-150mm. Since Hasselblad has come out with the H3D system that has a 28mm lens, you can only use there back to use this lens. At least mamiya is an open system. If you are shooting flash fill out side then the H2 could be a better choice as Mamiya has a 125x flash speed.
Denis
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Ken - I just switched to medium format and after several weeks of research I decided on the Mamiya 645 AFD II format. I too went with Phase One P30+. I now have several lens in my Mamiya kit ranging from 35 up to the big 300 f/2.8.
I still have my "old" Canon 1Ds II with all it's "L" lens. It's still a little early for me to say this but, but I feel the Mamiya lens is just as sharp as the Canon L lens. I haven't had the kit long enough to do a real side by side test but I am going out next week and will have the information by the time I return. I've done testing of the kit around the house getting used to it and the new lens and so far I'm blown away with the images.
I am very pleased with the Mamiya and Phase One back. If you have the choice go with the Mamiya and I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I am.
To answer you biggest question as to " Is the mamiya crap? " My answer to you is No!
Hope this helps
Don
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Thanks Don and others. I am sure that some is the Hassi name and the other part is the shutters/ flash sync. I guess it boils down to what feels right.
Ken
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Ken - You're right - it has to fit your hand and only you'll know it. Can't go wrong either way just a difference in how much money you spend in the begining to get there.
Good luck
Don
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I shot with the H2D22 and H3D39 on some workshops on the pro imaging, Hasselblad kindly loaned me two bodies for the workshops
The feel and look of the hassy was very nice but the camera itself felt a bit plasticy for the money.
When I wanted to switch I decided to look at the pricing for the lenses and the choice was VERY clear, I can simply not afford the Hasselblad system with the lenses I really want.
With the Mamiya I have now already build my lenses I want (still looking for a good tele ) and for a quarter of the pricing.
I opted for the 645AFD/II with the ZD back and it's a great system, the camera feels VERY solid and the lenses are razor sharp.
Hasselblad is indeed the name (which I also love) but the pricing is that high it never was a real alternative for me.
Greetings,
Frank
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shot with both H2 and AFDII....and didn't like the H2....to digital...intricate..my world with all the digital hardware and software is hard enough....the Mamiya is nice and "simple"....the H2 gave me constant error reading and during a big (money) shoot a lens failed. Didn't like the fact that it comes with a rechargeable grip. Just my 2 cents...I know that there are a lot of shooters that love the H2 and they should.
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Since I bought my Mamiya/P45 system everyone has asked if it was a Hassy, assumed it was in fact. I used to shoot Hassy when they were made by Hassy but I think they are made by Fuji now, is that correct? The Mamiya system seemed perfect for me, rugged and light with good lenses (I'm in the woods all day and don't need body or lens parts falling off - how many of those expensive Hassy zooms have flat out fallen apart like Michaels did?). But so many folks who don't really know any better seem to look down on Mamiya stuff, so to nip all of these questions in the bud I covered up the Mamiya name on the camera with black tape and when asked what camera system I use I simply reply "Phase One" and smile. I'm very happy with this system. By the way, I've done some 30-minute star trail photos with this system and the noise is a non issue. I can't wait to get the plus back in a few weeks so I can go a full hour...
Tim Ennst in Arkansas
http://www.Cloudland.net (http://www.Cloudland.net)
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As a happy ZD user, I'll second all the positive things that have been said about Mamiya.
Just a minor negative comment on the price of lenses. It is true that they have been much cheaper than their Hassy equivalent until now, but it looks like Mamiya is now going for the fast lane also. Their new 28 and 75-150 mm are IMHO too expensive, they are in fact more expensive than their Hassy equivalent.
Regards,
Bernard
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Deleted
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I also abhor the the electronic complexity of Canon and Nikon DSLRs and would never use one for landscape shooting. I have used Pentax 67s and a Horseman 612. You can't get more "analogue" than these cameras. I have been working with an H3D-39 for the past six months and was initially put off by the menu of available choices. However, it is quite easy to set up the desired options and once you do, it is a VERY easy camera to operate and has two major advantages over other MF cameras. One is the viewfinder. It is simply a pleasure to methodically compose a photograph through that large, bright viewfinder that surpasses that of any of the other MF cameras in my experience. Pick up a Mamiya 645 and compose a photograph; then do the same with an H2. Is that important to you? The second is the four user programmable buttons that are ergonomically accessible to your right hand as you are shooting without lifting your eye from the viewfinder. As a landscape shooter, I have these buttons set up to provide easy and instant access to four key functions:(1)mirror lock-up, (2)lens stop down, (3) a 3-9 shot sequence of bracketed exposures, and (4) autofocus(i.e., the camera is set to manual focus and you press the button to focus the lens using the autofocus). Once you have the camera set up the way you want, all you have to do is save that as a custom program and it is always there for you. Seamless. I have not looked at the manual since I bought the camera and programmed the buttons.
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I can't remember 100% anymore but I don't see much difference between the viewfinder of the 645AFD/II and the H2D/H3D to be honest.
But I shot 3 months ago with the hassy's so it's not fresh.
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My Mamiya viewfinder is miles ahead of Canon or Nikon and does everything I need - it is quite lovely to look and compose through. There is a mirror lockup button on the top of the Mamiya so no need for any menu at any time. And the way that I shoot I use the multiple-shot setting on the camera so the mirror goes back up in between each shot without me having to do a thing - great for bracketing and very fast! If I need to tweak the focus or check the composition I simply hit the button and the mirror returns. There are also some custom functions you can set up on the Mamiya (I think I read that - I've never needed any of them since this camera is so simple to operate) that sound kind of like the Hassy so that would not be an advantage for Hassy.
The price for that Mamiya 28mm that has been in the works for years does seem quite high, although I guess they figure they will sell them as fast as they make them so you can't blame them - supply and demand (if they ever actually get to market this time around).
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By the way, I've done some 30-minute star trail photos with this system and the noise is a non issue. I can't wait to get the plus back in a few weeks so I can go a full hour...
Tim,
That image on your site,Kings River Falls,is one of the more compelling scenic images
I've come across in some time. Nice work.
I don't believe it could be pulled off,noise free,with any other digital product,either 35mm or
MF,currently on the market today
Are you using any older manual focus lenses with your AFD or are you sticking with
newer designed AF lenses?
Mark
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i own a P30 and use it with 645afdII and RZDII....the 645 does everything the hass sytem does except for the synch speed....the RZ gives me a few options the hass can't give me and the synch speed (ok "only" up to 1/400)...actually i shoot in LA and did a shoot at noon in full sun the other day....had no problem making the sky dark (1/125@ f16)...and for anyone looking for shallow depth of field PLUS outdoor sync, i guess the Hy6 (iso 25 with 1/1000) is the only option anyway.....
the 645afdII is a great, proven, simple camera, which can be adjusted in more ways then i would ever want.....the H can be adjusted just as much, but you might need a manual to turn it on (the first time i EVER had to look at a manual to go from P to M) but i am sure that is manageable....i just like cameras to have the buttons and dial where they all have them.....
yes the 645 is "plasticy" but so is the H, the buttons on the H are the cheapest i have seen on any camera, ever....
the lens range on the mamiya is nice, the prices are a dream....the H is a bit limited, and steep.....(the new mamiya lenses seem to follow that trend)....
the H grip is too small for my hands, and the lenses are very heavy....both systems need what contax and every DSLR have....a vertical grip.....
i have shot with the H a couple of times, i don't see a difference between the mamiya 645 and hte H lenses.....i do see a difference between the RZ lenses and the both 645....the RZ are a step up IMO.....
AF is more or less a joke on both, the finders are better then canon/nikon, but nothing compared to looking into the RZ.....
every time i shot with the H, there were problems....nothing that killed the shoot, but annoying.....i have yet to have ANY problem with either one of my 645afdIIs or the RZ or the lenses......
the only reason i could see to buy into the H system is to go hass all the way and get a H3D....take advantage of the software correction and hope that future developments will prove it to be the winner.....
for anyone going phase, leaf, sinar,...i don't see the point of buying into a system that is (more or less) dead for your back....there won't be any new lenses for any of these backs and those lenses would be the ONLY reason to buy into the H system in the first place......
there is a rumor that C1v4 will have lens correction built in for the mamiya 28mm....whenever that comes out....who knows....it is pretty obvious that everybody else will come up with something as well in the long run....
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Mark:
I was pleased with how good the p45 did on that long shot. I went back a second night and did some hour-long exposures to get more trail in the stars and the first exposure seemed to do just fine, however when it was doing the dark slide hour exposure it stopped at 30 minutes. I repeated this just to make sure I had not done something wrong and the same thing happened. When I pulled up the images on the computer the hour-long exposures looked like they had been light-leaked across the entire frame (a term borrowed from the good old days of film - there was a bright orange layer across the entire image), and two opposite corners had light streaks on them. Very strange. Must have had something to do with the dark slide exposure as the 30-minute exposures that I did later were just fine. I know the plus backs can do an hour exposure so I am anxious to repeat this shot once I get my new back, however the new picture book I'm working on is going to press in about two weeks so I won't have the chance to include it. I do miss this long exposure ability of film (3-4 hours), but am really happy with how this back performs compared to my previous work with Canons and Nikons - I don't worry about doing long expsures in dim light any longer.
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FYI, here is the hour-long exposure that I noted above - this is right out of the camera - obviously it did not like an exposure that long. I've also attached a copy of the 30-minute exposure that Mark noted above, although it has been worked a bit in post.
[attachment=2624:attachment][attachment=2625:attachment]
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Mark:
I don't worry about doing a minute exposure in dim light any longer (and exposure that would have looked terrible on either my Nikon or Canon cameras).
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Canon 1dsII does two minutes ok; I've done this for interiors.
Edmund
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Canon 1dsII does two minutes ok; I've done this for interiors.
Edmund
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I have done severa 2 minutes shots with my D2x and have never had any problem either.
Regards,
Bernard
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.there won't be any new lenses for any of these backs and those lenses would be the ONLY reason to buy into the H system in the first place......
Has anybody, who is qualified to say so, anytime said that it will be no more lenses for H2.
I dont think so.
And there are lot of other reasons to buy a H2.
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.there won't be any new lenses for any of these backs and those lenses would be the ONLY reason to buy into the H system in the first place......
Has anybody, who is qualified to say so, anytime said that it will be no more lenses for H2.
I dont think so.
And there are lot of other reasons to buy a H2.
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other then hasselblad themselves? and several dealers?
when the H3 was announced hasselblad also announced that they would not even build the H2 anymore...i guess that plan was put on ice after a major uproar from dealers and clients....but all new hass lenses will somehow be corrected in software, so they won't work on the H2....the first in line was the 28mm.....not sure what is planned now, maybe it won't even be full frame (6x4.5) since hass has redefined full frame as the max size of their 39 back....
i would like to hear the other reasons to buy the H2....
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other then hasselblad themselves? and several dealers?
when the H3 was announced hasselblad also announced that they would not even build the H2 anymore...i guess that plan was put on ice after a major uproar from dealers and clients....but all new hass lenses will somehow be corrected in software, so they won't work on the H2....the first in line was the 28mm.....not sure what is planned now, maybe it won't even be full frame (6x4.5) since hass has redefined full frame as the max size of their 39 back....
i would like to hear the other reasons to buy the H2....
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There have never been announced a H3. Only a H3D.
And that has nothing to do with the H2.
Actually I do not think Hasselblad has said that there will be no more lenses for H2.
And that I have directly from Hasselblad.
Your bashing of Hasselblad is stupid and not very helpful for people seeking
information here.
It makes your comments unreliable.
You now write that you are not sure what is planned now from Hasselblad.
That must be one of your must true writings about Hasselblad.
I prefer H2, but I am not talking only shit ( and sometimes direct lies ) about other brands.
Reasons to pick H2 :
- best AF in MF
- best viewfinder
- fast flash sync
- very solid build ( maybe feels like plastic to some, but def. not made of plastic )
- great lenses
- lots of option to set up camera to suit your shooting style ( if you are able and willing to
learn how to use a work tool you will be using for many years. )
- built in flash ( very useful if you know how to utilize it )
- available in many renthouses if you need to add something just for the occasion
- HY6 is still not on the marked
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There have never been announced a H3. Only a H3D.
And that has nothing to do with the H2.
Actually I do not think Hasselblad has said that there will be no more lenses for H2.
And that I have directly from Hasselblad.
Your bashing of Hasselblad is stupid and not very helpful for people seeking
information here.
It makes your comments unreliable.
You now write that you are not sure what is planned now from Hasselblad.
That must be one of your must true writings about Hasselblad.
I prefer H2, but I am not talking only shit ( and sometimes direct lies ) about other brands.
Reasons to pick H2 :
- best AF in MF
- best viewfinder
- fast flash sync
- very solid build ( maybe feels like plastic to some, but def. not made of plastic )
- great lenses
- lots of option to set up camera to suit your shooting style ( if you are able and willing to
learn how to use a work tool you will be using for many years. )
- built in flash ( very useful if you know how to utilize it )
- available in many renthouses if you need to add something just for the occasion
- HY6 is still not on the marked
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this is getting old....everytime i share my experiences or opinions about hasselblad you somehow find it necessary to start another personal attack....maybe i am "talking shit" to you...but i am really not talking to you, so please keep it to yourself......
several of the Pros you listed of the hass, i also listed in my previous post, maybe you should read that....
best af: i have worked with both hass and mamiya and they both suck....have you ever WORKED with a 645afdII?
the 645afdII has probably the same amount of options for personal functions...way too many...
AGAIN: have you ever actually worked with a 645afdII? you would know all this if you have.....
i know that there is no H3....
it was widely reported that hass was thinking of stopping production of the H2 when the H3D was announced...i am not making this up.....there has been one lens announced since then and it won't work on H2 or H1.....
one of the reasons for the H3D is the software correction for lenses....so why would the next lenses not take advantage of that.....think about it for a second....
the proof will come out when the next lens come out....whenever that will be....
ANY rental house will most likely have both systems....
the Hy6 is not out, but the 6008 is with 1/1000 and works with sinar backs at 25iso....
yes...people switch to MF and pay a premium for a built in flash with GN 12 (which btw works great with the zoom for that "lens shade effect on the subject)
i am glad you are happy with your H2...that is what matters...
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this is getting old....everytime i share my experiences or opinions about hasselblad you somehow find it necessary to start another personal attack....maybe i am "talking shit" to you...but i am really not talking to you, so please keep it to yourself......
several of the Pros you listed of the hass, i also listed in my previous post, maybe you should read that....
best af: i have worked with both hass and mamiya and they both suck....have you ever WORKED with a 645afdII?
the 645afdII has probably the same amount of options for personal functions...way too many...
AGAIN: have you ever actually worked with a 645afdII? you would know all this if you have.....
i know that there is no H3....
it was widely reported that hass was thinking of stopping production of the H2 when the H3D was announced...i am not making this up.....there has been one lens announced since then and it won't work on H2 or H1.....
one of the reasons for the H3D is the software correction for lenses....so why would the next lenses not take advantage of that.....think about it for a second....
the proof will come out when the next lens come out....whenever that will be....
ANY rental house will most likely have both systems....
the Hy6 is not out, but the 6008 is with 1/1000 and works with sinar backs at 25iso....
yes...people switch to MF and pay a premium for a built in flash with GN 12 (which btw works great with the zoom for that "lens shade effect on the subject)
i am glad you are happy with your H2...that is what matters...
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If I should attack you, as you say, every time you are bashing Hasselblad, I would
have a lot to do. I have done it ONE time before.
The reason for software correction for 28 is... yes it is a 28. Pretty wide for MF.
Not sure every other new lens needs correction .....think about it for a second....
" widely reported" is more like rumours than facts.
Yes, I have worked with Mamyia 645 AFDII.
No, people do not switch to MF for a built in flash. I only see it as a plus.
And I do not have the zoom ( too big ).
I have had a 6008 also. Returned it because the house created lightspill and made
the pictures looked like overexposed on white background.
I thought you wanted me to list why one should buy a H2.
But now you say that you do not want me to list it, if it is on your list too.
I wonder who you are talking to.
So many rants you have had about Hasselblad, it must be to your self.
Most others are fed up by the same "information" over and over again.
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If I should attack you, as you say, every time you are bashing Hasselblad, I would
have a lot to do. I have done it ONE time before.
The reason for software correction for 28 is... yes it is a 28. Pretty wide for MF.
Not sure every other new lens needs correction .....think about it for a second....
" widely reported" is more like rumours than facts.
Yes, I have worked with Mamyia 645 AFDII.
No, people do not switch to MF for a built in flash. I only see it as a plus.
And I do not have the zoom ( too big ).
I have had a 6008 also. Returned it because the house created lightspill and made
the pictures looked like overexposed on white background.
I thought you wanted me to list why one should buy a H2.
But now you say that you do not want me to list it, if it is on your list too.
I wonder who you are talking to.
So many rants you have had about Hasselblad, it must be to your self.
Most others are fed up by the same "information" over and over again.
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i just read your posts again and still don't get your point....english is not my first language, maybe it isn't yours either, maybe i am just crazy.....maybe that is why i have such deep hatred for all things hasselblad....
why don't you just say what you want to say about the actual product, share your experiences, your thoughts and if you have something to say to me, i (unlike you) share my info openly here, my address, even my phone...so feel free to contact me if you have a problem with my experiences or opinions...
btw: the topic starter sent me a private message thanking me for my balanced post....
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YO, YO, YO, HEY, HEY, HEY...Corners.....
Ok. Now that we are back on track.....I am going to go with the H2, actually the H1 I think(demo body). Why? Well it is the most popular in rental house all over the USA. I will be able to get rental bodies (as back up) and rental lenses in the cities that I will be shooting in. I don't mind the feel of either, er should I say that I don't really like either. Vertical grip anyone? I like to shoot at f4 not f8 and that stinks on the Hassi in the sun. So now I go and but a $200 ND filter for the lens and I have trouble seeing to focus.....sucks. But I Don't really like the feel of the focus rings on the Mamiya, I do like the Hassi rings. I do like the price of the mamiya a lot... a lot...
I like opinions and that is what this forum is about. We can't all own everything, we have to ask folks what they like and what they don't like to help us form an opinion...Easy up on the name calling please, we are just talkin' out loud here..
Thanks for the great, spirited well thought out post.
Ken
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Hi
This will be an on going debate. The price will come into play at the end either you will spend more or less. Besides flash X or 1/4000 shutter speed it will come down to how much you want to spend & this does not end, how much will your insurance cost each year. You are buying a tool in the end. I am very happy with my Mamiya system plus the fact that I insured a 645 AFD with 5 lenses for $5000.00 AUD 0r $4000.00 USD, replacement cost. Why , because I can go to ebay & replace them for that cost. I have shot bill boards, bus shelters with this system using the Aptus 22 & ZD for editorial. I used to own a 500 cm with a 120 & 50 mm. Looking back I wished I had owned Mamiya at least I would have owned more lenses. The way Hasselblad is going I think it is a great system if you are using the Imacon back, this gives you thee full range of lenses (28mm). Even with the new Hy6 camera coming out, Mamiya is still the only true open platform system on the market today.
Thanks Denis[
URL=http://www.montalbetticampbell.com]My Webpage[/URL]
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YO, YO, YO, HEY, HEY, HEY...Corners.....
Ok. Now that we are back on track.....I am going to go with the H2, actually the H1 I think(demo body). Why? Well it is the most popular in rental house all over the USA. I will be able to get rental bodies (as back up) and rental lenses in the cities that I will be shooting in. I don't mind the feel of either, er should I say that I don't really like either. Vertical grip anyone? I like to shoot at f4 not f8 and that stinks on the Hassi in the sun. So now I go and but a $200 ND filter for the lens and I have trouble seeing to focus.....sucks. But I Don't really like the feel of the focus rings on the Mamiya, I do like the Hassi rings. I do like the price of the mamiya a lot... a lot...
I like opinions and that is what this forum is about. We can't all own everything, we have to ask folks what they like and what they don't like to help us form an opinion...Easy up on the name calling please, we are just talkin' out loud here..
Thanks for the great, spirited well thought out post.
Ken
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unfortunately there is no perfect system....but each and every system works for someone for different reasons....the important part is to be able to work with it and not hate it too much....
somehow like voting in an election....
i also don't understand why there is no vertical grip on the hass or the mamiya....
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As for the "plasticky" feeling mentioned about the Hassy and the Mamiya they are both solid underneath. The Mamiya is built on a die cast aluminum body and a magnesium viewfinder body.
I didn't see a nickel's worth of difference between the view finder brightness between them.
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I tried a Hasselblad when I tested a P45 and found I didn't like the feel of the camera. It's something I can't put in words - just a feeling, I find like the Mamiya better- juest feel it "fits" better. Ndeither one felt "cheap" it was all in how the camera body felt in my hands while up to my eye. This is an old debate just like who makes a better truck - Ford or Dodge (I have a F350 )
Bottom line is no matter what anyone else says how does it feel to you and will it work for you. Those are the two major questions before the money question comes into play. Which one will give you the most bang for the buck.
Don
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As for the "plasticky" feeling mentioned about the Hassy and the Mamiya they are both solid underneath. The Mamiya is built on a die cast aluminum body and a magnesium viewfinder body.
I had heard the "plasticky" comments about the Mamiya as well, so I was expecting to be disappointed when I tried one for the first time. To my pleasant surprise, I loved the feel of the Mamiya. It felt rock solid, and unfortunately a bit heavier than I had expected. I liked it much better than the Contax, for example. Anyway, I liked it so much I ended up going with the Mamiya.
There are a lot of opinions and personal biases on this forum. It's human nature. I advise everyone to test a system for themselves, however, before taking anything on this forum as gospel. Remember that everyone has different needs, so everyone is going to react to various systems differently. Any of the systems on the market today will do a great job, so you really can't go too wrong. People just need to find the system that's right for them. And that takes personal testing.
Regards,
Mort.
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I had heard the "plasticky" comments about the Mamiya as well, so I was expecting to be disappointed when I tried one for the first time. To my pleasant surprise, I loved the feel of the Mamiya. It felt rock solid, and unfortunately a bit heavier than I had expected. I liked it much better than the Contax, for example. Anyway, I liked it so much I ended up going with the Mamiya.
There are a lot of opinions and personal biases on this forum. It's human nature. I advise everyone to test a system for themselves, however, before taking anything on this forum as gospel. Remember that everyone has different needs, so everyone is going to react to various systems differently. Any of the systems on the market today will do a great job, so you really can't go too wrong. People just need to find the system that's right for them. And that takes personal testing.
Regards,
Mort.
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Hi, could you please explain why you like the mamiya better than the contax? I feel that the autofocus of the contax is a little bit slow for my needs, so I'm selling it and switching to Mamiya. But I'm concern about the ergonomics and feel. The contax is so good...
Thank's
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Hi, could you please explain why you like the mamiya better than the contax? I feel that the autofocus of the contax is a little bit slow for my needs, so I'm selling it and switching to Mamiya. But I'm concern about the ergonomics and feel. The contax is so good...
Hi Samuel. Like I said, everyone has different needs. All I can say is that when I took a borrowed Contax out for a day of test shooting, I didn't like it at all. Then I took a borrowed Mamiya out for a day, and it just felt right. The controls just felt smoother and more intuitive. It was smaller and lighter (at least it felt smaller and lighter). Metering seemed more accurate. The way you dial in exposure compensation seems more natural. It just clicked with me. I will say that I like the Contax autofocus button better (larger, and better positioned than on the Mamiya), but that's about the only thing I like better on the Contax. I suggest finding a Mamiya dealer nearby and just go handle one. Maybe it'll work for you, and maybe not. But you should try it to find out, rather than base your decision on subjective comments on this forum.
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Hi, could you please explain why you like the mamiya better than the contax? I feel that the autofocus of the contax is a little bit slow for my needs, so I'm selling it and switching to Mamiya. But I'm concern about the ergonomics and feel. The contax is so good...
Thank's
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i really wouldn't be too concerned with ergonomics or feel....both have the controls in the "right" places...you will pick up the camera and shoot without any problems...the 645afdII can be personalized to the max....i tried getting through the menus once and just got bored...i don't need most of that stuff....but some things come in handy....
about the af: not sure how slow the contax is, the mamiya is still no competition to any DSLR and for people shooting, i find it too slow...the wider AF sensor of the adII makes things a bit better (the afdII definitely has better af then the afd) but again...IMO no medium format system has totally relyable af.....maybe the Hy6 with its cross sensors will? the 6008 wasn't bad at all, but also stuck in the middle, like they all are....
oh: you will really miss the vertical grip of the contax.....
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Hi Samuel. Like I said, everyone has different needs. All I can say is that when I took a borrowed Contax out for a day of test shooting, I didn't like it at all. Then I took a borrowed Mamiya out for a day, and it just felt right. The controls just felt smoother and more intuitive. It was smaller and lighter (at least it felt smaller and lighter). Metering seemed more accurate. The way you dial in exposure compensation seems more natural. It just clicked with me. I will say that I like the Contax autofocus button better (larger, and better positioned than on the Mamiya), but that's about the only thing I like better on the Contax. I suggest finding a Mamiya dealer nearby and just go handle one. Maybe it'll work for you, and maybe not. But you should try it to find out, rather than base your decision on subjective comments on this forum.
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i really wouldn't be too concerned with ergonomics or feel....both have the controls in the "right" places...you will pick up the camera and shoot without any problems...the 645afdII can be personalized to the max....i tried getting through the menus once and just got bored...i don't need most of that stuff....but some things come in handy....
about the af: not sure how slow the contax is, the mamiya is still no competition to any DSLR and for people shooting, i find it too slow...the wider AF sensor of the adII makes things a bit better (the afdII definitely has better af then the afd) but again...IMO no medium format system has totally relyable af.....maybe the Hy6 with its cross sensors will? the 6008 wasn't bad at all, but also stuck in the middle, like they all are....
oh: you will really miss the vertical grip of the contax.....
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I see... How do you think is the autofocus compared to the H1? I've had an H1 and the autofocus was much faster than the Contax.
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I see... How do you think is the autofocus compared to the H1? I've had an H1 and the autofocus was much faster than the Contax.
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The auto focus on the H1/H2 is faster and hunts less than either the Mamiya or the Contax. The Mamiya AFDII closed the gap a bit on speed, but it still hunts more than the H1/H2.
Also, aside from what has been said, there is most definitely a difference in the viewfinders. The H1/H2 viewfinder is brighter - maybe half a stop to a stop - and it is also larger, ie; magnified. It is easier to focus through the viewfinder on an H1/H2 than an Mamiya AFD, no question.
Handling is a much more subjective decision. The AFD feels comfortable to me, although I also find the H1/H2 handles well - the key being the placement of the thumb, which helps balance the weight. The AFD is lighter, but the thumb grip position of the H1/H2 helps balance the heavier H1/H2 - this IMO.
Shoot them side by side, and you'll see the difference in the viewfinder and the AF. But you will also feel the reasonable handling of the AFD. The AFD is affordable (althought the current lens promos of the H1/H2 help offset that to some degree) and capable, and it works. Not as full featured as the H1/H2, and trailing in the categories I described, but lightweight and worth considering.
Steve Hendrix
PPR
www.ppratlanta.com
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I see... How do you think is the autofocus compared to the H1? I've had an H1 and the autofocus was much faster than the Contax.
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i would say the AF is equal to the H1/2, which really does not mean much because IMO neither are really useable....mostly because of the lack of off center sensors...hunting does not happen at all to me, speed is fine as well.....
in regard to what steve said: i find the grip of the H system too short...i have big hands (i am 6'4) and the H with their heavy lenses is VERY hard to hold for me....and i shoot RZ handheld....
check it out for yourself either way....
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..i have big hands (i am 6'4) ]
I will never, ever argue with you again.
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(i am 6'4)
6'4"? I got ya by a couple inches - I'm 6'9"
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(i am 6'4)
6'4"? I got ya by a couple inches - I'm 6'9"
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just mentioned that as a reference.....anyway, thanks to being glued to WLF most of the time, my posture has suffered, so i am a short 6'4"....but my hands are still big:)