Dear all,

I have been using a second hand Mamiya ZD for a few weeks. Here is a full size sample image taken 2 weeks ago on a rainy weekend in the Japanese backcountry. The image is about 9MB which could cause problems to those with a slow connection.

http://static.flickr.com/102/300915665_6578fe44ec_o.jpg

This image was converted using Raw Developper. A small radius USM was then applied in PS CS.

I am still very much learning the ins and outs of the camera, but it appears to have good potential for landscape shooting, even if its interface is a bit coarse compared to the Nikon D2x.

My ZD still has an old firmware version installed and I plan on having it upgraded in factory in the coming weeks.

Regards,
Bernard

Thanks for posting a sample, Bernard! This looks quite promising as I'm not keen on shelling out for an H3D given its a closed system. Just out of curiosity, when looking at the EXIF data for the file it says the resolution is 253, an odd number. Is this a RawDeveloper default?

Tim

I didn't know there were firmware revisions, in my file information I can read:
Camera Firmware 1.00
Firmware 1.03

Is this the old one? What are the advantages of the new one?

Thanks.

Arnau.

Hi Arnau,

I am not sure of the latest level. When I passed by the Mamiya service center in Tokyo they said that they recommended ugrading, but I didn' ask more details at that time since I couldn't afford to have the camera go for 2 weeks at that time.

I intend to proceed with that early next week. I'll let you know.

Regards,
Bernard

Ahh, so you did get that ZD, Bernard...

Been out shooting with mine today. Great Autumn colour in the UK at the moment. I think the ZD makes a great landacape and a great studio camera.

I'm also curious about firmware updates and what they are suoposed to do for the ZD. I assume they are not user upgradeable, otherwise it whould be a simple process.

Any more info would be gratefully received

Quentin

PS my camera firmware is 1.00

Thanks Bernard, I'll be awaiting your news, I suppose the relation with the company must be closer there, in Japan, than here in Spain, in the other side of the world. Last month I got very decieved by Mamiya, after having tested 3 55-110 zooms in my dealer's store we arrived the conclusion that all of them are backfocused when in autofocus mode. The Mamiya distributor here in Spain told us that it was not possible to recalibrate them and that when they spoke with factory and send them our photo tests, all they said was that "it is within the range of acceptable error". I was amazed, after all these months of trying to convince them of the problem, all I got was an "acceptable error". They must be kidding! If I had know this before I wouldn't have bought the zoom. I must admit that the quality of the lens is almost equal to a prime lens but if one pays for the autofocus, it is for having an accurate one, like all the other prime lenses. Despite what I heared in this forum, complaining about the autofocus in mf cameras, I find it fast and accurate, eventhough it's true that the spot circle is big.
So my last resort was thinking that maybe the backfocusing issue could be solved with a firmware upgrade but Mamiya is looking quite relaxed at the moment as a company, the webs are frozen and only the new lenses are coming out. Hope we will see news soon with the new company, at least to know they are alive!!

Regards.

Arnau.

Is the ZD a closed system?

Yes, but Mamiya does also currently offer the 645AFII that is as open a system as it gets.

The investement in Mamiya lenses could therefore be re-used easily the day something shows up that is significantly better than the ZD in terms of image quality.

Cheers,
Bernard

Hi Tim,

Not sure about the resolution, I might have changed it is PS to reach a given print size.

Regards,
Bernard