Ah yes, the mirror lock-up. That is one thing I keep forgetting to find out.
I'm amazed at the quality you got from the Epson V750. I had no idea it was so capable. How large do you feel a file like that would print?
Right know I'm basically just tossing up between getting an RZ or AFD. There are two digital backs I'm looking at between a Phase One P25 and Mamiya DM28.
Basically it seems features of the two systems are:
RZ
- Very heavy and large but well made
- Mechanical design should be reliable and needs very little battery power
- Cheap bodies and lenses
- Very good optical quality
AFD
- Smaller and lighter
- Auto focus
- Relies on battery power
- More modern automated features
Regarding backs I would suggest going with the larger sensor size of the P25 that is 48x36.
The DM28 is a 44x33 sensor. You will get better wide angle coverage with the p25.
More coverage is important considering that you are already cropping a 6x7 system.
Regarding the reliability of the RZ, even the first version is very good. The two weak points are:
Lens shutter failure. While quite rare it can be a real problem with film because if the electronics fail the
shutter defaults to a fast mechanical shutter speed. 1/400th if I recall correctly. Also it sounds just the same as a 60th going off.
Anyway less of a problem with digital because you would know right away.
Seeing as I shoot film in 6x7 or 6x8 I decided to move to the Fuji gx680 as it has a sensor that measures light reflected off the film to confirm shutter functionality
on all exposures. It sounds an alarm if exposure is not within 1 stop. A nice feature when shooting film.
However I have never has a Fuji gx680 shutter fail. I had two shutter failures on the RZ. One was a used lens, and the other was bough new, but only failed after
about 4 years of use... and that was by me and my two assistants.
Second weak point is transport mechanism wear, but this again is more of an issue with film.
The shutter/mirror cocking mechanism and film advance is all done with the same lever and over time it wears out.
I would not say this is much of an issue buying new, but if you are buying used take a good look at the transport/cocking lever play.
One other thing I never likes was the really crappy motor drive. I always affectionately called it the coffee grinder.
It also makes the camera harder to hand hold.
All that said the RZ is a fine camera and my experience with it was good. I can't say the same for the Phase One AF and Phase One DF.