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Author Topic: Does anyone have experience with both Phase/Mamiya DF and DF+ cameras?  (Read 2274 times)

free1000

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I'm looking at getting one of these newer bodies, either the Mamiya or the Phase versions so that I can take advantage of the Schneider leaf shutter lenses.

There seem to be plenty of s/h DF bodies around since the DF+ went on sale. Since I found out that the DF+ has lens focus adjustment (for up to three lenses) I'm more interested in the DF+ body, but would appreciate any comments about how effective this camera and the focus adjustment is.

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free1000

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Re: Does anyone have experience with both Phase/Mamiya DF and DF+ cameras?
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2013, 08:10:09 am »

I find the silence interesting of itself.
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Doug Peterson

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Re: Does anyone have experience with both Phase/Mamiya DF and DF+ cameras?
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2013, 08:28:13 am »

I find the silence interesting of itself.

Summer weekends aren't that busy on the forums. I wouldn't take it personally.

The autofocus adjust is a neat feature and works as advertised, but in several years of working with clients with Phase/Mamiya bodies I can only remember two (maybe I've forgotten one or even two?) clients that required a focus adjustment on their body (which is covered by warranty and takes 1-2 business days at a service center). So the value of the autofocus is probably not, in and of itself, worth going to the DF+.

That said the "autofocus improvements" which are a mainstay of any/every body update are, in this case, genuine and significant. Specifically the DF+ locks focus faster and with greater perceived confidence (far less hunting and less often makes a minor focus adjustment at the end of a long focus throw change) which makes using it significantly more effective for spontaneous photography. I have the blessed position that when I shoot a wedding, which puts a lot of demands on focus speed/accuracy/confidence, I can check out any of our rental gear which isn't already reserved; I'm just about equally happy if an IQ160, IQ260, or IQ180 or IQ280 are available, but if a DF+ isn't available I'm disappointed.

free1000

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Re: Does anyone have experience with both Phase/Mamiya DF and DF+ cameras?
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2013, 08:32:27 am »

No worries Doug, not taking it personally though. More I guess thinking that the volume of posts about D800's is much greater than that on MF cameras  ;)  But as you say it was a summer weekend, and I did spend most of my day in the garden and at the BBQ than online as well.

Thanks for the input.
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