Mamiya's DM22 is a medium format digital camera for the Walmart type at sub-$10k pricepoint
By Paul Miller 
posted Oct 23rd 2009 9:51AM
posted Oct 23rd 2009 9:51AM
[Via Gear Diary]
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And what pray tell is a "wal-mart type"? Don't we have enough stereo types for people? ARe you referring to low lifes, poor underclass folks who make minimum wage and dig ditches? I'm sure Wal Mart would be glad to hear that.
I refer you to peopleofwalmart.com
While I think engadget was attempting to make a joke here, I know that a lot of 'normal' people shop wal-mart as well as other discount stores because they don't like paying top dollar. Its just common sense.
@ derrik
Oh man, that's rough! :)
....You forgot about those walmart-types that wear sweat-pants ALL the time and shop using those electric buggies, despite being able to walk just fine without one.
It's possible that they meant that someone who shops at Wal-Mart is inclined to save money - in much the same way that someone who's going to buy a medium format digital camera for such a low price is *also* inclined to save money.
I'm with Spooka on this. A Wal-Mart type is the type who is looking to save money. I don't see how else there it would make any sense referring to a medium format digital camera.
With the camera being at Wal-Mart, I bet they will be stolen in record numbers. It's not like they have the best and the brightest working there.
this joke went right over your head
Brian, that is probably because I didn't RTFA. Kudos to you for exposing me.
Waits for the 'Wow that is overpriced/overkill' comments from people who don't know what a Medium format camera is/is used for.
I don't understand the higher ISO range of the DM28 as this camera is supposed to be used, primarily, at a studio with a huge light rig. So, what is this feature good for?
I'm planning on getting two in case I misplace one.
No doubt medium format is getting more and more affordable. I predict this will be the next big move in photographic equipment.
No, it won't be.
Because medium-format is still cumbersome, slow, and has limited ISO ranges. The only folks who'll be using these are studio types and some landscape shooters. That is what these cameras are designed to do, and that is all they really can do.
Basically...the chances of seeing mass adoption of these beasts is slim.
Yeah--hence my comment the next big move. No doubt this will be used for landscape and studio use. My point is medium format is becoming more affordable along the lines of a 5D2/serious lenses or a D3. Small increase in price, large increase in quality. So this will be the next big thing as sensor manufacturing becomes more efficient.
Wow that is overpriced/overkill
yeah, how am I going to fit that in my man purse and snap drunk party shots of my friendz?
dude, it's for pros.
Whooooooshhhhh....
that's a great price point for getting into the medium format game.
As a single piece, it's a great value for people looking to get into MF. It's a bit like the kit lens with DSLR's. Makes it a little bit more affordable.
But you've been able to piece together a system that costs that much from individual components for a while now.
Not affordable, sorry. Accessible.
How do you differentiate medium-format from 'normal' format when it comes to DSLRs? Is it mainly body shape, or differences in features? I understand that megapixel count is a consideration, but aren't there a handful of standard DSLRs with similar megapixel count? Just curious...
Sensor size. There is a hierarchy...point and shoot sensors (tiny, and I don't know their designation), APS-C/H (DSLRs), full-frame (film-sized, some DSLRs like Nikon's D3) and finally medium format (huge, something like 1.5 inches on a side if I remember correctly from high school.)
Sensor size is secondary. A particular format (35mm, ideal, 4x5) means that the camera body is compatible with a certain type of lens, which projects an image of a standard size at a standard focal length. The sensor or film size doesn't necessarily take up this full frame. Dslr camera bodies are all based on 35mm standards, but most do not capture the full 35mm frame projected by compatible lenses. A medium format camera would still be a medium format camera even if it had a point-and-shoot size sensor; it just wouldn't make any sense.
Of course, 'medium format' is a catchall that includes a range of frame sizes.
Medium format is a sensor (or, gasp, film) size of greater than 35mm, but less than 4X5", which would be called "large format".
Most DSLR's these days use a smaller than 35mm sensor. The most popular size is APS-C, but higher end DSLR's are made with a "full frame" 35mm sensor.
Yes basically the larger your sensor or film (larger area collecting light) the sharper and higher resolution your photos will be. As it stands, full frame sensors are expensive to manufacture, but are getting cheaper. I suspect medium format sensors are currently where full frame sensors used to be when they came out, hence these MF cameras introduced into the market. Image quality will always be better on the next larger format with the crappiest lens compared to the next smaller format with the best lens. (Within reason of course--don't go smearing peanut butter on your full frame camera setup expecting it to produce better results than an APS-C sensored camera.
ironically the lower MP offering has the larger sensor (though I suspect they are really the same and there is something else being done with the extra real estate on the 28MP). The size is 80% of full frame 645 (60x45mm) However, keep in mind that you are not getting 1:1 pixels on the sensor to pixels in your output image. You really need about 3x the MP (preferably on a full frame sensor) to be on a par with film resolution.
ironically the lower MP offering has the larger sensor (though I suspect they are really the same and there is something else being done with the extra real estate on the 28MP). The size is 80% of full frame 645 (60x45mm) However, keep in mind that you are not getting 1:1 pixels on the sensor to pixels in your output image. You really need about 3x the MP (preferably on a full frame sensor) to be on a par with film resolution.
Keep in mind that D3s/5D2s EF/FX cameras are currently primarily used for landscape and studios. So it only makes sense that medium format digital at a similar price point would be a logical step.
Keep in mind that D3s/5D2s EF/FX cameras are currently primarily used for landscape and studios. So it only makes sense that medium format digital at a similar price point would be a logical step.
Natural light applications like landscapes or outdoor portraits?
Ma-Mamiya these people are vicious with their comments today.