Pages: 1 [2]   Go Down

Author Topic: Interesting review of the infamous ZD  (Read 31081 times)

free1000

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 465
    • http://www.foliobook.mobi
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #20 on: August 02, 2006, 06:33:41 pm »

I've been using it for a few weeks, mostly just testing, yesterday for a portrait shoot, 3 portraits and some reportage type stuff for which the A75 was overkill but I did it to see how well or not well it handled it.

Mamiya so far quite reliable apart from a bizarre happening during testing a few days ago when I was shooting in manual mode and it seemed to automatically switch from 1/60 of a second to 15seconds!  Problem seemed to go away after a reboot.

Focus is accurate... when it does it. Tends to hunt quite a lot and its hard to see exactly what I'm focusing on. This is nothing like a Canon SLR!  

I found it hard to tell if I was getting focus on the sitters eyes or nose. My focus hits were not great on the portraits, as a result I tended to AF, then set to manual and shoot. This had, unsurprisingly, variable results.

On the reportage material I found that even on the tripod I was getting some soft shots. At 400 ASA the files are a bit noisy but usuable. But even so, with available light and lenses limited to f2.8 (80mm AF) or 3.5 (150mm AF) this felt clunky and in future I'll continue to shoot this material with a Canon SLR.

On another shoot I was using the Mamiya with a 35mm manual and this was fine. However the manual 150mm I had didn't focus correctly. Even when focussed with the focus assist, there was a discrepancy between a sharp image in the viewfinder and the final file. Quite bizarre. I decided to get the 150mm AF lens after this.

When you hit the focus on the nose the resulting files are utterly amazing. Its the nearest thing to point and shoot 5x4. Someone, sometime is going to find a way to use this to do something quite original. I'm sure it offers some new creative possibilities, particular for art photography where display sizes are large and quality is important.

Very pleased with the AFD II, I consider the shortcomings to be mine rather than Mamiya's. Its just a tool in the end, and its the workman that has to drive the tool and not the other way round.  


Quote
Has anyone used the Mamiya/Aptus 75 combo ?

How is reliability, focus, backfocus etc ?

Edmund
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=72349\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Logged
@foliobook
Foliobook professional photo

yaya

  • Guest
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #21 on: August 03, 2006, 04:19:59 pm »

Quote
apart from a bizarre happening during testing a few days ago when I was shooting in manual mode and it seemed to automatically switch from 1/60 of a second to 15seconds!  Problem seemed to go away after a reboot.

The AFDII has an AE button near your thumb which if pressed while in Manual mode will change the aperture and speed settings (on an AF lens) and the speed settings (on an old manual lens.

Just be careful not to press it while shooting and you'll be fine

Yair
Logged

free1000

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 465
    • http://www.foliobook.mobi
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #22 on: August 04, 2006, 07:02:51 am »

Thanks, that must be what happened. I'll give the manual another read. Interesting that you can override a manual setting that way. Could be useful.
Logged
@foliobook
Foliobook professional photo

Jack Varney

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 413
    • http://
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #23 on: August 04, 2006, 04:43:46 pm »

The AE button gives you a way to hold an exposure reading for use when switching to manual mode or when raising the mirror.
Logged
Jack Varney

mcfoto

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 940
    • http://montalbetticampbell.com
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #24 on: August 06, 2006, 11:07:49 pm »

Quote from: Quentin,Aug 1 2006, 03:12 AM
I purchased a ZD a few days ago, and used it for the first time over the weekend.  

When launched, the ZD was £7,000 body only plus VAT in the UK.  Now Robert White are offering it for £5,995 plus VAt with a free 80mm f2.8 lens (worth around £350), so an effective pre-VAT reduction of around £1,300.00.  The price reduction clinched the decision for me.

Hi
If you go to ebay you could purchase the 45, 150 and the 55-110mm lenses for about $1400.00 USD. That is where I bought these lenses which is incredible value for these quality lenses! My favorite lens is the 55-110mm and I have shot many jobs with this lens. $1400.00 USD is 735.00 GDP. So for 6730 GDP that is a pretty amazing kit.

Thanks Denis
Logged
Denis Montalbetti
Montalbetti+Campbell [

pjotr2533

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #25 on: August 07, 2006, 05:56:13 am »

Hello,I've used the ZD also and in compare to a Canon I'd loved the narrow depth of field of the ZD.Also it is strange to compare a 35mm with a chip of 36x48mm.I've seen billboards of pictures made with the ZD and it blows away all the Canons...
Detail is incredible even at a billboard of 13x15mtr.There is always the matter of chip size and I think that size of pixels and chips still matters.For my own sort of photography the ZD performs very well; the only thing I miss is a tilt & shift lens.It is strange that there is almost nothing to find about the ZD because if you work for some time with it,you gonna love the quality of the camera. Also for example the weight and size.If you ever held a Hasselblad H2D with a 35mm or 120mm macro you know what I mean.
And because the ccd of the ZD is activated very short there is almost no dustproblem and the camera doesn't need a cooling system in compare with other MF backs and that is a huge advantage i think. For example take some pictures in a freezing cold or a high temperture and there is no problem with the ZD. So that explains a little bit my choice for the ZD.
Logged

Nemo

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 276
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #26 on: August 31, 2006, 02:00:39 pm »

Logged

mcfoto

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 940
    • http://montalbetticampbell.com
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #27 on: September 01, 2006, 05:48:53 am »

Quote from: Nemo,Aug 31 2006, 01:00 PM
Additional comments...

Hi
As a ZD user the battery is excellent easy to replace and I have a spare. The camera comes with a dual battery charger.Interesting review  but I wish it went into more depth.
Denis
Logged
Denis Montalbetti
Montalbetti+Campbell [

ivan muller

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 245
    • Ivan Muller
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #28 on: September 01, 2006, 12:06:24 pm »

hi I have the 50mm shift, no tilt - which is a pity - and I use it a lot for interiors and architecture. Because of smaller area of chip compared to film, there is a bit more shift. Also 50mm is wide enough for me, more natural. As far as dust goes I do get a lot of it but have only cleaned my ir filter once.

I have just returned from Vic Falls, very dusty and lots of mist around the waterfall and everything worked fine all the time. I like this camera so much that I gave the 20d to my son to use! and only used the ZD. I also find its fine handheld with a 8omm lens.
thanks Ivan
Logged

Morgan_Moore

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2356
    • sammorganmoore.com
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #29 on: September 04, 2006, 03:49:44 am »

Just my comments on the ZD (v trad backs)..

-125 flash synch - very limiting outside

-Sensor hard to clean

-No option to move to LF camera for tilt/stitching ect.

-Mechanical failure of the body will render the back out of service

-Future MF bodies with decent multipoint AF will require total upgrade
Logged
Sam Morgan Moore Bristol UK

ivan muller

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 245
    • Ivan Muller
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #30 on: September 13, 2006, 02:46:12 pm »

Quote
Just my comments on the ZD (v trad backs)..

-125 flash synch - very limiting outside

-Sensor hard to clean

-No option to move to LF camera for tilt/stitching ect.

-Mechanical failure of the body will render the back out of service

-Future MF bodies with decent multipoint AF will require total upgrade
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=75447\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

hi So flash is one stop less than eos
Remove ir filter to clean, very easy
50mm shiftlens works well with stitching
Buy two cameras for the price of one back. Back fails, then what?
so far I have no problems with the af, I can even choose which af point to use! And I use it often.
Thanks Ivan
Logged

pss

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 960
    • http://www.schefz.com
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #31 on: September 13, 2006, 02:58:39 pm »

Quote
Just my comments on the ZD (v trad backs)..

-125 flash synch - very limiting outside

-Sensor hard to clean

-No option to move to LF camera for tilt/stitching ect.

-Mechanical failure of the body will render the back out of service

-Future MF bodies with decent multipoint AF will require total upgrade
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=75447\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

i think the ZD has some shortcomings..but they are mainly in the image quality, but that is the trade-off with the price!!
most MF systems (mamiya, pentax, contax) have 1/125 sync...so does the new sinar M btw..the only ones that sync faster are H1/2 and Rollei
sensor just as hard to clean as all DSLRs and if you use one of the zooms, no cleaning necessary!

the ZD is not meant to be a versatile MF system...it is by definition a (so far the only) all in one MF/DSLR so why would you get it if you want T/S? there are many better options for T/S...

same goes for all DSLRs...you can't upgrade a 1Ds...
the ZD gives you a sensor that is twice the price in other backs with a body for a reasonable price with some drawbacks (14bit, slower shooting) it will give oyu better results then DSLR but not the quality or versatility of MF backs...
Logged

Quentin

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1222
    • Quentin on Facebook
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #32 on: September 13, 2006, 05:00:03 pm »

Quote
i think the ZD has some shortcomings..but they are mainly in the image quality, but that is the trade-off with the price!!
most MF systems (mamiya, pentax, contax) have 1/125 sync...so does the new sinar M btw..the only ones that sync faster are H1/2 and Rollei
sensor just as hard to clean as all DSLRs and if you use one of the zooms, no cleaning necessary!

the ZD is not meant to be a versatile MF system...it is by definition a (so far the only) all in one MF/DSLR so why would you get it if you want T/S? there are many better options for T/S...

same goes for all DSLRs...you can't upgrade a 1Ds...
the ZD gives you a sensor that is twice the price in other backs with a body for a reasonable price with some drawbacks (14bit, slower shooting) it will give oyu better results then DSLR but not the quality or versatility of MF backs...
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=76240\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I don't want to sound like a stuck record, but so far as I am concerend, the ZD has no shortcomings at all with regard to image quality, at least at low ISO.  I have posted samples from the ZD elsewhere, so judge for yourself.  

Versatility is a two-edged sword.  The whole point if the ZD is it has much if the versatility of a dslr.   Its lacks versatlity of you want to keep a back and change cameras, or vice versa, because its all in one, but then the price compensates.  There are tilt and shift possibilities using lenses from Hartblei, but if you want full movements then of course you'd be better off looking at a seperate back and specialised camera for that purpose.

Quentin
« Last Edit: September 13, 2006, 05:05:49 pm by Quentin »
Logged
Quentin Bargate, ARPS, Author, Arbitrato

ivan muller

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 245
    • Ivan Muller
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #33 on: September 14, 2006, 03:10:36 am »

hi even on 4x5 with lots of movements and swings etc the groundglass got very dark and focussing became problematic. I am wondering what its like on a 645 or even worse a 35mm. I have no experience with these smaller cameras, but I must say with the 50mm Mamiya shift you have to focus before the shift and even before stopping down it becomes very dark. somehow a good old 4x5film camera makes more sense if thats what your needs are?
On another note I find the zd and 80m lens is very handholdable even in low light!
also image quality is superb!
Thanks Ivan
Logged

marcwilson

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 411
    • http://www.marcwilson.co.uk
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #34 on: September 14, 2006, 06:41:21 am »

I think people should look at a camera  such as the zd not in terms of medium format as we know it but more in tersm of a dslr.
With the price it is currently at, and the price of the lenses..a working kit is not that much more than a full 1dsmk11 kit.
Certainly it does not have the speed, etc of a canon or nikon but for those photogrpahers who do not need that then it is currently the best image quality you can get from a dslr..
I would much prefer to use this camera over my 1ds system but for one issue..wide angles. I use a 24tse quite often but could live with the 45mm (28 equiv) shift lenses / options available for mamiya  but most importantly I often use lenses around 15/16mm so can not use the zd system for now. If a 28mm (16/17mm 35 equivalent) or similar lens was brought out that would all change, as I think it would for many photographers.
hasselblad seem to be bringing out a 28mm..any news from mamiya?
« Last Edit: September 14, 2006, 06:53:42 am by marcwilson »
Logged
www.marcwilson.co.uk [url=http://www.mar

mcfoto

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 940
    • http://montalbetticampbell.com
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #35 on: September 14, 2006, 07:24:28 am »

hasselblad seem to be bringing out a 28mm..any news from mamiya?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=76301\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
[/quote]
 
Hi
I know about 5 years ago that Mamiya was going to make a 26mm then they changed it to a 28mm. At the moment still no sucess. Maby Fugi will have better sucess than Mamiya but I have heard this is a very difficult lens to make. Yes Mamiya has been working on it maby with new ownership they will do it? I agree , the Zd  quality is amazing for the price. I am really enjoying working with it, especially using the RAW processor.
Thanks Denis
Logged
Denis Montalbetti
Montalbetti+Campbell [

izaack

  • Guest
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #36 on: September 14, 2006, 07:27:59 am »

A Mamiya 26mm for the 645AFDII seemed imminent a few years ago but I wonder what happened to that project?
« Last Edit: September 14, 2006, 07:29:08 am by izaack »
Logged

WillyV.

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 17
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #37 on: September 14, 2006, 08:43:54 am »

Hi everybody,

As a Mamiya distributor I can inform you all that Mamiya WILL show news at Photokina 2006...
Logged

mcfoto

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 940
    • http://montalbetticampbell.com
Interesting review of the infamous ZD
« Reply #38 on: September 14, 2006, 09:39:06 am »

Quote
Hi everybody,

As a Mamiya distributor I can inform you all that Mamiya WILL show news at Photokina 2006...
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=76309\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I hope it is good news, they have been quiet lately. They have just changed ownership which I heard from a good source had to be done.

Thanks Denis
Logged
Denis Montalbetti
Montalbetti+Campbell [
Pages: 1 [2]   Go Up