Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: MichaelEzra on August 24, 2007, 11:40:06 pm

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 24, 2007, 11:40:06 pm

I have shot 2040 frames with ZD (camera, not the back) and while before firewire was working on and off, now it stopped. Reinstalling software, changing cables does not help.  Has anybody figured out any solutions besides repair? Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Frank Doorhof on August 25, 2007, 11:20:32 am

It's the connection to the mainboard.
Bring it in to your supplier they can resolder it.
There are also some rumours that it would be a chip that fries over time but as far as I know it's the connector.

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Pantoned on August 25, 2007, 12:09:04 pm

Happened to me two times (camera not back), the second time the connection stoped working after buying a right angled cable from another brand, now I ONLY use the cable that comes with the camera and hold it with a manfrotto plate before reaches the camera. BTW I noticed the 1ds MarkIII will come with USB2 instead of the small firewire connector (Mamiya should learn something so simple...it must have been a very expensive error for them with so many repairs). The good news is that my camera returned with the new firmware after repairs.

I'm just praying for some company to put hands on making a wireless firewire gadget soon, it's a pity to have a 802.11n mac without use for it. Phase One did announce a "very-high speed" wireless connection for their backs back in 2006 but I haven't heard anything lately, any news????

Arnau

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: MichaelEzra on August 25, 2007, 12:34:06 pm

Thanks for your replies. So the problem can be re-occurring even after the repair?...

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Pantoned on August 25, 2007, 01:39:06 pm

What happened to me (can't speak for others) was that the first time they simply replaced the camera for another one they had in stock here, the second time they did send the camera to japan and back (that's why new firmware). Have no idea what they did but it did smell like burn inside, so they must have done something, at least it works.

The problem with Mamiya is always the lack of information...I think that original cameras are very sensible (mainboards), so changing for another one that is essentially the same won't do the trick. But I cannot assure neither that factory repairing is a long term solution (but at the moment it works for me, knock on wood).

Arnau

Quote

Thanks for your replies. So the problem can be re-occurring even after the repair?...
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Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Quentin on August 25, 2007, 06:14:09 pm

Its a terminal problem - literally     My ZD camera firewire failed and the camera was replaced under warranty.  I try to avoid using firewire now, its just too risky, which is daft seeing as the ZD is an ideal camera used tethered.

I may send my camera back to Japan if it fails again, because the lens mount is a bit sloppy too.

Quentin

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Snook on August 25, 2007, 06:54:24 pm

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Its a terminal problem - literally     My ZD camera firewire failed and the camera was replaced under warranty.  I try to avoid using firewire now, its just too risky, which is daft seeing as the ZD is an ideal camera used tethered.

I may send my camera back to Japan if it fails again, because the lens mount is a bit sloppy too.

Quentin
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=135501\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hey Quentin Can you post some ZD images.. I think many would like to see. Since you have had the camera for a while now..
Looking forward to some
Thanks
Snook

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 18, 2007, 02:08:24 pm

Quote

It's the connection to the mainboard.
Bring it in to your supplier they can resolder it.
There are also some rumours that it would be a chip that fries over time but as far as I know it's the connector.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=135439\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Frank,

I am about to send my ZD to Taiwan for repair. They normally replace the firewire board, but offered per my request to try to fix the board that failed (as new one is just as likely to fail).

I would greatly appreciate it if you culd share any specific knowledge on the connector problem, so I could pass it along to have it properly fixed.

Thanks a lot,

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Frank Doorhof on September 18, 2007, 02:12:46 pm

The small connector can break very easily.
I would say to resolder and make the connection more solid or use wire instead of soldering so there is some play possible.

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: MichaelEzra on September 18, 2007, 02:32:30 pm

Quote

The small connector can break very easily.
I would say to resolder and make the connection more solid or use wire instead of soldering so there is some play possible.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=140226\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks. Strange though as I have Fuji S3 with the same small firewire connector that had a lot of tethered shooting, but never had any problem...

Title: Mamiya ZD - dead firewire
Post by: Frank Doorhof on September 19, 2007, 05:45:55 am

Maybe they have a better soldering to the board.