Topic: Has anyone figured out how to tether a ZD back?! (Read 6767 times)

bcroslin · « **on:** August 24, 2007, 06:38:29 pm »

I purchased a ZD back this week and I'm very happy with it except for tethering. Tethering, to be blunt, just does not work. Working tethered isn't mission critical in my workflow but I'd like the option to shoot tethered occasionally in the studio.

So, I ask, has anyone been able to figure out how to tether a ZD back?

jimgolden · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2007, 06:59:40 pm »

Quote

I purchased a ZD back this week and I'm very happy with it except for tethering. Tethering, to be blunt, just does not work. Working tethered isn't mission critical in my workflow but I'd like the option to shoot tethered occasionally in the studio.

So, I ask, has anyone been able to figure out how to tether a ZD back?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=135341\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I dont have a Zd back, but you should be able to tether it thru the Mamiya software and then use lightroom...

Bob, what did you shoot w/ before the ZD, just curious. Nice work on your site.

Snook · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2007, 07:11:35 pm »

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I dont have a Zd back, but you should be able to tether it thru the Mamiya software and then use lightroom...

Bob, what did you shoot w/ before the ZD, just curious. Nice work on your site.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Many have complained about tethering.. And actuall Frank Doorhof who was promtoing the ZD like crazy has just recently gone with a Leaf 22 . One of the main reasons was he shoots tethered and it just did not work no matter what he tried supposedly. here is his Blog:
[a href=\"http://www.doorhof.nl/blog]http://www.doorhof.nl/blog[/url]

CAn you post some images that you have done with your new ZD?
I would love to see some more real Pictures..
Seems they have sold a lot lately ( before Canon announced their new camera)
Just kidding
But no-one seems to be posting around anywhere..? Hummm
Snook

Robert Spoecker · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2007, 08:38:03 pm »

I am thinking about a zd and also am very interested to hear from people who actually tried or succeded or failed shooting tethered

mcfoto · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2007, 09:10:14 pm »

Hi
I have shot with Mamiya tethered into there software & it is easy to set up. I use a MAC but have shot into a PC with no problems. I am looking forward to LR being tethered for the ZD. Are there any further developments? I use the ZD 95% into CF cards.
Thanks Denis

bcroslin · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2007, 09:14:42 pm »

I'm using the Mamiya software and it just doesn't work. I also think it's the back that's acting up and not the software as I can get the back to be recognized with some effort. I can't even get the shutter to fire when tethered. When tethered the back consistently locks up and has to be removed from the camera and the battery door opened to reset. I've emailed with Frank and he was at least able to get the camera to fire 10-20 frames before it locked up. I've got nothing so far. If you're thinking of shooting tethered with the ZD back I'd forget it until Mamiya works the bugs out.

With the exception of the tethering problem I'm very happy with the image quality of the ZD back. The buffer isn't the problem that I thought it might be provided you don't hammer off the frames. With the way I shoot I can get 18-20 frames shooting before having to slow down and even occasionally stop for the buffer to catch up. Also, the faster the card the more responsive the back feels.

The LCD is the achilles heel of the back (besides tethering). It's an absolute joke. I can't think of a worse LCD on a digital camera. The preview is laughable. Not only is it tiny but it's also just bad. If it weren't for the very accurate histogram I'd just gaffe tape the LCD and forget it's there.

Jim, I shot with a Valeo 22 Wi which I had a love/ like relationship with. It was very cumbersome to shoot with and the iPaq wasn't always rock solid but the images were great. I switched to the ZD because it shares the same chip and is in a compact package. I haven't seen anything out of the ZD to lead me to believe that the ZD at 14-bit looks any different than the Valeo (or Aptus) at 16-bit in real world tests. The Valeo was bullet-proof to tether with and is great in the studio which as you can see I never work in.

Bottom line is I still believe the ZD back is a great bang for the buck provided Mamiya is responsive ironing the wrinkles out. My next choice would be the Leaf Aptus 22 but at $7k I felt like I had to give the ZD a shot.

bcroslin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2007, 09:17:18 pm »

Quote

I have shot with Mamiya tethered into there software & it is easy to set up.

Denis, you're shooting with the camera and not just the back correct?

Is there any procedure or steps you need to do to get the camera to hook up or is it just plug-and-play for you?

bcroslin · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2007, 09:28:29 pm »

One more thing: I'm using a 645AFD (not II) with firmware 0.00 and the back is firmware 0.01.

mcfoto · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2007, 01:13:12 am »

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Denis, you're shooting with the camera and not just the back correct?

Is there any procedure or steps you need to do to get the camera to hook up or is it just plug-and-play for you?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=135362\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi
Yes I shoot with the camera into a 5 year old lap top which works. It is slow due to the 833 mp in the laptop. I mean slow that you have a hard time running PS & the Mamiya software at the same time. When I have used the ZD camera it is plug and play which is great for me. Your problem sounds like a bug in the system with the ZD back. Have you talked to the MAC group in NY?
Denis

JDBFreeheel · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2007, 01:36:27 am »

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One more thing: I'm using a 645AFD (not II) with firmware 0.00 and the back is firmware 0.01.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=135363\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

How do you check the firmware on the camera and back? Maybe I'm just thick, but I've never been able to find info related to this. I'm not shooting tethered so I can't comment on that with my workflow.

-Josh

bcroslin · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2007, 11:07:00 am »

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How do you check the firmware on the camera and back?

Open a file in the Mamiya software and select view image information.

Frank Doorhof · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2007, 11:19:13 am »

There are two thing you HAVE TO CHECK OUT before leaving the store or within the first week.

Shoot some shots on ISO400 and use your exposure control to +1 stop to make it clearer, if you have a faulty back there should be stemple like purple artifacts on the picture.
It can be seen on anything above ISO125.
My old back did not have that problem, according to Mamiya NL this is a small problem and it's already been solved, however there are backs out there that still have it, so check that.

Second is shoot tethered for a while.

Make a few shots, fill the buffer, wait a minute or so and go on.
With my NEW back I could not get a stable connection, not on 3 PC's and alot of cables and boosters etc.

According to Mamiya there are some problems but they are mostly due to software related issues and they are solved by using for example :

1. A non powered port
2. A short cable
3. Make a folder for your captures and KEEP that, restart the PC and keep the SAME folder
4. Try to attach ferriet arround the firewire cable
5. Use a mac

I tried all 4 but nothing worked, and I'm not in the possesion of a mac

Here is an example of how the artifacts look at 400ISO

Don't mind the picture it was just shot for fun.

bcroslin · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2007, 11:46:49 am »

Frank,

Did you ever have your back totally lock up while tethered? I have to literally pull the back off and open the camera battery door to get the back to reset. I even managed to lock my CAMERA up last night while tethered.

I've tried everything you noted except the ferriet and at this point it seems to me that the ZD back that I have will not work tethered period.

Frank Doorhof · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2007, 05:35:56 am »

The camera would lock up but you don't need to open the battery cover.
Just set the 645AFD/II to the off position, wait 3-4 seconds untill it shuts down, set it on on again and go on shooting.

I have done some test sessions with this but it was just happening to often.
I think this is something that Mamiya should look at very seriously and I have the idea they do not.
All my other findings were responded up very quickly and they were solved in matters of days, however this was everytime pushed forwards, to the point were I did not want to wait anymore (I shoot 99% tethered).

MarkWelsh · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2007, 10:43:55 am »

No purple worms for me, but a red streak across the top right of every frame. It has yet to be established whether this is a sensor or body-related problem. On the plus side, I've had no trouble shooting tethered to a MacBook running Mamiya PhotoStudio and a hot folder in Lightroom.

I've had more weird crashes and comm snags with CF cards . . .

bcroslin · « **Reply #15 on:** September 01, 2007, 01:22:17 pm »

Following up my thread - Mamiya is looking into my problem tethering to my G5 tower.

I am able to shoot tethered to my Macbook with few issues. I am still having problems when I disconnect the back. The camera and back locks up and I have to remove the back and open the battery door to reset everything.

Author Topic: Has anyone figured out how to tether a ZD back?! (Read 6767 times)

Snook