Mamiya ZD :Double Buffer

[Mike Sellers]

I was reading that the ZD backs have double buffering and I would like to know what this is. Also,do all ZD backs have this or was it added to later models?
Mike Sellers

[Doug Peterson]

The buffer on any camera is the temporary storage used when shooting faster than the back can write to card. If you start shooting a sequence of images right in a row any some point the back will slow down the capture rate. For instance the first 13 frames on a 5d2 can be captured very quickly, but of you keep trying to shoot at the max speed after the first 13 frames you'll notice you hit a wall and the camera slows down. That wall is the buffer filling up.

There were two versions of the ZD. The original and a later minor revision in which they doubled the buffer size.

It's been long enough I don't remember if this second version was improved in any way.

Mike: I have to ask - you seem to have a lot of questions about the ZD, but, as I recall you've already purchased one. Doing your research after buying is kind of uncommon. What happened?

[Mike Sellers]

Doug,
My ZD outfit will arrive tomorrow. I read about the double buffer thing last night so thought I would get a clarification. I shoot landscapes so it doesn`t seem like a problem.

[FredBGG]

Mike: I have to ask - you seem to have a lot of questions about the ZD, but, as I recall you've already purchased one. Doing your research after buying is kind of uncommon. What happened?

Hmmmm lets see... you yourself can't give a precise answer regarding differences between the two versions of the ZD back (not problem with that), but then you have to add a rather "preachy" comment about doing his research before buying.... a bit uncalled for on a forum that is about sharing information.

[FredBGG]

Doug,
My ZD outfit will arrive tomorrow. I read about the double buffer thing last night so thought I would get a clarification. I shoot landscapes so it doesn`t seem like a problem.

I think you will like the back very much.

It has some limitations, but remember that when it came out it was $ 8,000 cheaper than the Leak or Phase offerings.
Due to that difference US importer and re-sellers did not embrace it due to the lower profits.
It had better sales in Canada and Europe.

It does have a few limitations. Jpeg quality if not good at all, but who cares about that.
Menus are a bit slow.

It has several advantages over even new backs today.
It has two memory card slots
Removable IR filter for infrared MF photography
Optional anti alias filter

Claims have been made that it is limited due to the 14 bit file.
That is BS as there are 14 bit cameras with more dynamic range than 16 bit MF digital backs.

At ISO 50 and ISO 100 the ZD back is excellent.
Very nice black and white conversions.. (for some reason).

There is a ZD user group on flickr. You may be able to find good information from other ZD users there, as well as some nice examples to look at.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mamiyazd/

You can also download the ZD back user manual here:

http://www.mamiya.nl/client/mamiya/uploads/downloads/070309_zdback_en.1.pdf

From Mamiya in Holland.

There is an update to mamiya development software here

http://www.mamiya.co.jp/home/camera/eng/digital/zd/soft/soft.html

Quite a few legacy Mamiya downloads here too:

http://www.mamiya.nl/service/handleidingen_en_downloads/

Here is a workaround to tether the ZD in windows 7 64 bit:

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/medium-format-systems-digital-backs/32889-mamiya-zd-tethered-windows-7-64bit.html

Also try contacting this guy. He seems to be very helpfull with the ZD

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/members/homeiss/

You'll need to join getDPI to send him a message.

He has Mamiya Remote Capture Beta installed and working for tethering the ZD.

[Doug Peterson]

So if I don't have 100% of the answer I should simply not contribute?

[Doug Peterson]

It has some limitations, but remember that when it came out it was $ 8,000 cheaper than the Leak or Phase offerings.
Due to that difference US importer and re-sellers did not embrace it due to the lower profits.
It had better sales in Canada and Europe.

This is not an accurate history of the reason MAC Group did not initially import the ZD.

[FredBGG]

This is not an accurate history of the reason MAC Group did not initially import the ZD.

Yes there was also something about it's dealings with Leaf.

[FredBGG]

So if I don't have 100% of the answer I should simply not contribute?

\
My point is why give him a hard time for asking questions about something he has already bought?

[Doug Peterson]

-redacted-

[Mike Sellers]

Fred,
Thanks for the helpful info!

[homeiss]

I am also a member on this forum as well.

Great info Fred.

-Cory

[SecondFocus]

Just to jump in, I had used the ZD back when it very first came out and really liked it. I may have been the first person ever published with photographs using it, a cover and a couple of magazine features.

Anyway on my Blog from back then....

http://secondfocus.blogspot.com/2008/02/mamiya-645zd-has-it-covered.html

http://secondfocus.blogspot.com/2008/02/mamiya-645zd-its-winner.html

[TMARK]

This is hearsay and as such could be total horseshit, but as I recall being told, MAC Group didn't want to support the ZD back. After sales support costs fell on MAC as the importer, and they were not sure of the reliability, and also didn't want it failing and costing them money in unsold inventory.  At the time, Mamiya Japan's problems were known to the MAC and MAC was a little unsure of financing/inventory and sales support costs.  At least this is what I was told by some people at MAC when I was in Elmsford for some serious overhauling of my RZ/AFd systems, as well as warranty work on some strobes. 

They gave me a disc with test shots before and after adjustments to all of my lenses.  The files were DNGs from the ZD before it was widely available, shot on both an AFD and a an RZ.  Lightroom would open them.  Really nice files, on par with the Aptus 22.