Hands On: Mamiya ZD

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Storage capacity and speed? Mamiya says that the ZD will capture up to 11 frames at 1.5 fps in the 21.5MP resolution mode when shooting either RAW or JPEGs. Not bad, considering the amount of data being processed and moved, but still well below the burst and capacities of the 16.6MP Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II (up to 24 highest-quality JPEGs at 4 fps).

The ZD has both high-speed FireWire and video-out ports. Video-out works only in playback or when adjusting menu controls, and can be set to NTSC or PAL standards. With Mamiya’s Digital Photo Studio software, many of the ZD’s exposure, metering, and image-quality controls can be set remotely from a computer attached via the FireWire cable–and you can fire the camera as well. This software, which comes with the camera, also lets you process RAW files and has some limited, but useful, image-editing features.

The view from inside
Internally, the ZD’s electronically controlled, vertical-travel, metal focal-plane shutter is similar to the 645AFd’s. In aperture-priority AE mode, the shutter is set from 30 to 1/4000 sec in 1¼8-step increments, while in manual you can vary the shutter speed in 1¼2 steps. Flash sync is up to 1/125 sec. Metering and exposure systems are also quite similar to those found on the 645AFd, as is the ZD’s eye-level prism viewfinder. While the ZD’s viewfinder has a similar spotmetering circle in the center and AF frame, Mamiya claims the viewfinder has a 0.75X magnification and shows 98 percent of the captured area, a noticeable
improvement over the 645AFd. We loved the size and clarity of the viewfinder, which wasn’t cluttered with too many AF-zone markers or cropping lines, as on many other DSLRs. And some photographers will appreciate the ability to swap out the matte focusing screen for an optional checker-pattern screen. On the other hand, we found the data display a bit cluttered (see photo, previous page), and we also didn’t like the viewfinder’s poor eye-relief, which caused a slight vignetting when our eyes were a normal distance from the finder.

Kudos to Mamiya for the ZD’s improved TTL Phase Difference Detection autofocus system, which now includes a central cross-type sensor in addition to two vertical sensors. Its higher sensitivity to both vertical and horizontal details will be appreciated, as will its powerful IR focus-assist beam. This system doesn’t feature motion tracking or selectable AF zones, as do most 35mm DSLRs, so don’t expect to see it at many sporting events.

Megapixel monster
Mamiya expects that most pros will be interested in this camera for its potentially ultrahigh image quality—not for its AF speed and burst performance. On that front, it packs a great deal of promise. According to Mamiya and the CCD’s manufacturer, Dalsa, the ZD sensor provides the highest image quality available in an integrated SLR. The ZD also uses a new Dalsa ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) to help speed image processing and storage. How good is the image quality? We’ll find out for sure when we test a production version of this camera, but the specs for this sensor are impressive.

The camera also features a unique slot on its bottom that lets you remove the built-in IR cutoff filter in front of the CCD and replace it with an optional low-pass filter (price not available). The advantage? This system lets you choose between ultrahigh resolution (no low-pass filter) or slightly softer, more pleasing details (filter in place). And being able to remove the IR cutoff filter might make it a whole lot easier to shoot high-quality IR photos, as well as
remove any dust that would normally land on the CCD.

The ZD also packs a noise-reduction control and 31 custom functions (see photo, below left). The custom functions and extensive menu controls, in general, are very easy to read and set, and include color-space settings for Adobe RGB or sRGB, mirror lockup time for long exposures, highlight and exposure warnings in playback, and first- and second-curtain sync for flash shots. You also can customize the settings for use by three different photographers, a nice touch.

Nikon and Canon fodder?
Will the ZD steal the thunder from lower- megapixel models, such as Canon’s 16.6MP EOS-1Ds Mark II or Nikon’s 12.4MP D2x? That’s doubtful, considering the lower price of these cameras, their superior AF, exposure and metering systems, their wider and faster burst modes, and more extensive accessories (including lenses and flash units). It’s also likely that the smaller battery on the ZD will deliver only a fraction of the images that those CMOS-based SLRs can capture. But pros who already own a Mamiya 645 AF, in addition to several expensive Mamiya AF lenses, should be drawn like a magnet to this camera. (Current 645AFd owners, on the other hand, will probably opt for the 22MP Mamiya ZD back, which has the same sensor and image-processing capability, but at a lower price.) The Mamiya ZD will primarily attract those special photographers who value image quality above all else, and can’t wait to show off this megapixel champion.

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