Mamiya ZD handheld vs. tripod and mirror lockup

For a while I was thinking the Mamiya is a "tripod only" medium format camera only. As with any other cameras it depends mainly from your lens and shutter speed. So I tried my hands on one subject with different setup and the same settings.
Mamiya AFD II with ZF Back
80mm lens @ F8 and 1/200s
1. With tripod and mirror lockup
2. With tripod
3. Completely handheld only
Result: At this speed I cant recognize any difference. I compared at zoom level of 200%.
I will try with different settings going down to 1/80s.

But: Working with a tripod always ensure you have best possible results !

Shootout Mamiya ULD C 24mm vs. Arsat (Zodiak) 30mm

The Mamiya ZD keeps on running and finally a new fisheye lens is added to the collection. Currently Mamiya offers the Mamiya Sekor AF 28mm f/4.5 D Aspherical (link) which comes with a hefty price tag of about 5000 U$ (link, coming close to the price of the back itself!). I cant judge the lens, because I cant get my hands on it without selling all my other lenses upfront, but I assume that it is for sure a wonderful piece of glass like most of the other Mamiya lenses.
I purchased the Arsat 30mm with a Mamiya 645 adapter recently from Ukraine (check ebay for offers around 200 to 300 U$) and it is quite OK (at least if you stop down). I fell in love with the Mamiya Mamiya 24mm f/4 Manual Focus Fish Eye Lens which is non-AF (who needs fisheye with AF?) and is no longer produced since ?. It is a rare lens and comes at 1500 to 200 U$ (used). Luckily I catched one at ebay for 1000U$ and I am very happy with it ! I thought it would be useful to have a simple comparison between the 2 lenses.

Test Settings:
Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back at ISO 50
Mamiya Sekor ULD C 24mm f/4 versus Arsat (Zodiak) 30mm f/3.5
Both images at F8 (infinite), 1/125
Adobe Lightroom without sharpening
Original size 5336 x 4008
Downsized at 1400 x 1052 with org 500 x 500 crops from center and outside position.
(Click on the image to see larger version)

ISO Challenge for Mamiya ZD Back

Most important facts about the digital Mamiya ZD back:

Digital back for Mamiya 645AF/AFD/AFD II and RZ67 Pro IID
36mm x 48mm, Full Frame RGB Square-structured CCD (Dalsa)
approx. 21.80 Million Pixels, active approx. 21.50 Million Pixels
(Mamiya Link)

Yesterday in the early evening I challenged the back, resp the CCD chip in a low light high contrast situation and compare results in ISO 50 and ISO 400.
Conclusion: The dynamic range is amazing, but just dont touch the ISO button (fix glue it to 50) !

Setup: Tripod with cable release and mirror lockup. Adobe Lightroom without any sharpening or noise removal.

Test Images Mamiya ZD Back

I will not indulge in some scientific test series which steal my value time to take photographs, but I created some sample shots with all my current (5) lenses to get a bit an idea how the lens perform. Yes, you are right it should be a range of f-stops for all lenses to compare 2.8 vs. 32 and center vs outer part of the lens. Maybe later (i doubt so).

Setup:
Mamiya AFD II with ZD Back (22Mp, image 5.328 x 4.00o pix)
Gitzo Tripod at same location
ISO 50, F8
Mirror Lockup and cable release

Untouched 8bit Tiff from Raw (Mamiya Digital Photostudio)
Result saved as JPG (8), 1.000 x 751 pix with 100% (400 x 300 pix) detail

Mamiya AF 55/2.8 (Mamiya Link)
Mamiya AF 80/2.8 (Mamiya Link)

Mamiya Macro 120/4. (Mamiya Link)

Mamiya AF 150/3.5 (Mamiya Link)
Arsat30/3.5
http://www.zenit-camera.com/zodiak8_fisheye_lens_for_kiev60.htm
http://www.zavodarsenal.kiev.ua/index.phtml?lan=e&id=_2_2#8

Note the effect on the right border which appears randomly.

No explanation yet.

First experiences with the Mamiya ZD Back

Any given (digital) camera model (more or less recent model) in the market is discussed on the web, somewhere in Yahoo groups or similar. Not so the ZD, of course the traditional Mamiya 645's are very common and you find plenty of hands-on info.
After a couple of rainy days I finally managed to bring the ZD out for some test shooting.

Setup:
Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back, 120/4 Macro, 80/2.8, 55/2.5, 150/3.5 (plus Arsat 30/3.5 with adapter)
Gitzo Carbon tripod.

Very first (partly emotional) impressions (not based on objective technical tests yet):

• The resolution and level of detail is amazing.
• A very serious mirror sound on a "digital" camera. Not suitable for observing birds.
• The screen is ridiculous small. Any 200$ cam has a bigger screen (but not 22Mpix).
• Reviewing images is painful. But some backs dont even have a screen (at least the older ones)
  
• It is slow. Of course, its MF, not point-and-shoot for auntie Ann.
• It creates that "slower" and more appreciative way of working in MF.
• Why do I need AF lenses ?
• Why cant I lock the buttons to prevent the back from switching on by itself in the bag.
  
• It looks good. The AFD II body look sturdy and professional.
• Working with a tripod gives you so much more control (but removes speed).
  

With this camera you quickly will find some new old friends:

• Sturdy tripod.
• Cable Release.
• Mirror Lockup.
• ISO50 (any other ISO higher than 100 with this back is useless).
• Spare battery.
• Big CF cards and lots of them (or image tank).
  
• Another camera if you are in a hurry.
  

More (technical) results follow.

(Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back, Arsat 30mm, Chinese Garden Singapore)