If you've been waiting
for the 22-megapixel
Mamiya ZD digital
SLR, we've got good news and bad news for you. (Yeah, we know
that sounds familiar. It's
that kind of day.) First the good news: Nearly two years after being announced, the ZD is here, and is making its way
into the dealer channel. The bad news? Nearly two years after being announced, the ZD is here, and is making its way
into the dealer channel -- at a price of about $12,000. Lens not included. Is it worth it? Let's just say that if you
want a 22-megapixel SLR with a full-frame CCD and compatiblity with Mamiya lenses, you don't have a lot of other
choices (other than a digital back, that is). And we assume you've been using the last two years to save up for this,
so laying down that cash should be no problem, right?
posted Mar 9th 2006 2:57PM
At first i thought it was another Samsumg camera phone.
good god I would have loved to have one of those in my photography class.
It would have been tempting if it was medium format rather than DSLR. If I can get crystal clear 24"x16" prints from a 6.1MP DSLR I have to wonder what 22MP actually gives me. You are much better off getting a top of the line Nikon/Canon etc. DSLR and investing the difference in some serious glass.
"It would have been tempting if it was medium format rather than DSLR."
Umm, it is a medium format camera. Did you just assume that this wasn't medium format just by looking at the image?
SLR refers to the type of lens/shutter arrangement (single-lens reflex), not the film size. SLRs have been made for a variety of film sizes, from 110 to 120, even APS. Since the article says this camera uses Mamiya 645 lenses, I would wager this IS a medium format replacement.
The image actually shows that it takes 645 lenses, even...
To clarify things, it was already announced in a previous article that this camera is medium format.
http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/02/mamiya-sets-launch-date-for-zd/
Ruben/Josh,
Yes, you're of course probably right, given that there's a 645 lens on there. Full-frame compatibility is great as well as you don't have to deal with the focus multiplier hurting those wider angles.
uhhhh, why would I ever need a 22-mp camera? The human eye (at 3x5 resolution) can only detect like 2mp, after that its just superfluous. Unless....oh I see now... just in case I need to blow up a picture to the size of a wall...ahhhh I gotcha....wait, why would I ever need a 22-mp camera then?
I want one. Give me ZD and 2-3 sharp lenses, and I'll be set for life.
What I can't understand is why they even bothered to release this camera. Given their 645afdII camera and the choices in digital backs, I can't fathom why any body, much less a mamiya user would go for this model.
The pro photographers I have met do use digital backs, because while the initial investment is high, they no longer have to charge clients for costs of film and processing.
BTW, when dealing with digital, the "format" in medium format vs. 35mm SLR becomes meaningless. It all comes down to the type of lenses you want, and the conditions you want to shoot in. The product photographers I know of will NEVER part with their 40yr old Zeiss lenses, unless Nikon or Cannon can come up with all glass ground lenses with distortion as low as MF and LF lenses.
I digress...
My worry is that bad marketing decisions by Mamiya may see yet another great camera company go out of business. For a pro photographer who would gladly spend 10 - 20k for higher resolution, there's no reason to switch systems when they can easily just switch backs. Mamiya sells the RZ67 and 645afdII and the 645PRO TL as digital ready. They also sell a Kodak made back for said cameras. Why would I dump 1200 on a new slr, when I can just purchase a new Leif back????
Ok, that killed 5 minutes :)
Peace!
OK, I'm waiting again for some clueless idiot to say "Why on earth would anybody want a 22MP camera? My 3MP is more than adequate".
It happens every time...
I don't understand the 'full-frame' in this context. The CCD in this thing is 36x48mm, which is a bit smaller than the approx. 42x56mm image size of a typical 645 camera, making it close to, but not quite full-frame when used with a 645 lens.
When compared to a 35mm-based digital camera the term full-frame doesn't make much sense either, since the CCD in the ZD is double the area of what is considered a full-frame CCD in that format.
Now it is a full frame-transfer CCD, but that is something altogether different and as far as I know pretty much all CCDs in digital SLRs are.
Now where I can find some full resolution samples to drool over?
Canon will probably upgrade the Eos1 DS to 22MP this year, and it'll be much cheaper.
Does anyone know how many MP do you need to exceed the resolving power of a typical professional 35mm lens?
This camera is good and all, but who needs it? I think it's strictly limited to all Mamiya products? I would rather spend my money on a 35mm film camera or any other size film camera (slide and what not). The only reason why you would want this camera is for, 1. Convenience and 2. You got money to burn.
I give you a couple years, and that camera will be obs...
-Aaron
First, the zd will be released as a self contained unit and a back, for those who already own the AFD. That back will probably be much cheaper, compare it to $30k for other backs. Second, the self contained zd will be significantly smaller and lighter than a combo MF and back, and much cheaper (see a theme here). For my wife that means a lot. Third, there is NO COMPARISON between 35mm and medium format, which even in digital terms, is what we are talking about. Fourth, if you shoot with 35mm and thnk that you cannot imagine why anyone would shoot with a medium format, you are not the target audience. All this said, the Hasselblad H2D is a much better piece of equipment, just as their film cameras are. But that camera will be in the $30k's plus lenses at twice the mamiya price (price theme again). Of course, this does not address the quality of the digital chip, I am sure DPReview will do another wonderful job of that as always, and it does not address specific complaints that are sure to arise, like the tiny LCD (WTF?). But for anyone who thinks this camera is a mistake, great that means I can get mine sooner.
Why not just shoot RAW on a Canon or Nikon SLR? The files are 20 MB and rather hefty.
Graham
http://www.grahamandgrahamphotography.com
Graham, the difference is called lower noise & when printing a file which comes in around 50MB not yet uprezzed to 200MB or higher you can imagine a wall in your living room sized print within 36" view looking like a print ad in Vogue magazine. Crystal sharp. That's the difference.
645 refers to the format size...6 x 4.5
I just got offer from my friend to buy his camera. Anyone can help on event photography and in dark event how it's works this camera?
http://www.ourweddingphotography.com
If you don't have large corporate clients then this tool need not take the space in the bag or the bank account. On the other hand if you do have high profile business ventures this camera is worth the price tag and should be in your tool box if you don't intend to own a Hassie digital.