I don't want a 5D or 1Ds no more

I had a chance to shoot with Mamiya's 22Mpix 645ZD today; what a sweet little camera. When I took off the back it was amazing to see the size that a medium format's sensor is.

It caught me by surprise how comfortable to handle and shoot this medium format camera was and how 'reasonably' priced for what you are getting it is at $9999 retail including an 80mm f/2.8 lens.

Compared to the Leaf Backs and Phase Backs this is really priced VERY low. Back off the price of the glass and this offers both better performance and value than Canon's current FF 1 series cameras. IMO this now holds the top dog position in the expensive but not stupid expensive cameras for portraiture, and still life subjects. (Although not a top priority it is nice to be able to shoot film with the body when you want also)

http://www.mamiya.com/​cameras.asp?id=1&id2=2​281

RichNY wrote in post #3752022
IMO this now holds the top dog position in the expensive but stupid expensive cameras for portraiture, and still life subjects.

moreso than Hasselblad's H3D-39?

Never heard of either one....guess I run around in a different circle.

I'm saving up to get a $30 holga myself Probably next month!

RichNY wrote in post #3752022
I had a chance to shoot with Mamiya's 22Mpix 645ZD today; what a sweet little camera. When I took off the back it was amazing to see the size that a medium format's sensor is.

It caught me by surprise how comfortable to handle and shoot this medium format camera was and how 'reasonably' priced for what you are getting it is at $9999 retail including an 80mm f/2.8 lens.

Compared to the Leaf Backs and Phase Backs this is really priced VERY low. Back off the price of the glass and this offers both better performance and value than Canon's current FF 1 series cameras. IMO this now holds the top dog position in the expensive but stupid expensive cameras for portraiture, and still life subjects. (Although not a top priority it is nice to be able to shoot film with the body when you want also)

http://www.mamiya.com/​cameras.asp?id=1&id2=2​281

Someone else reaches enlightenment

Yes, sensor size does matter. Great camera for landscape applications too. I am not particularly interested in a 1DsM2, but if the ZD delivers on the promise of extended dynamic range, then I am all for it.

The only 'yuck' bit is that it has a 1.27 (or something like that) crop factor. Yes, I'll say it up front: I don't like crop cameras.

carpenter wrote in post #3752063
moreso than Hasselblad's H3D-39?

Um, that was what I was referring to as being priced 'stupid expensive'. The Hasselblad's definately the better camera/back but we aren't comparing cameras in the same price league. To put it in perspective the differnce in price between those two cameras is about 3x the differnce in price between an XT and a Mark III.

There's nothing in the sub $10k market that comes close to the new Mamiya 645 and 22mb back. The next step up would be the Leaf back which is a big jump and then the Phase which is less like a jump and more like a leap.

RichNY wrote in post #3752967
Um, that was what I was referring to as being priced 'stupid expensive'. The Hasselblad's definately the better camera/back but we aren't comparing cameras in the same price league. To put it in perspective the differnce in price between those two cameras is about 3x the differnce in price between an XT and a Mark III.

There's nothing in the sub $10k market that comes close to the new Mamiya 645 and 22mb back. The next step up would be the Leaf back which is a big jump and then the Phase which is less like a jump and more like a leap.

well then I think you meant to say "expensive but NOT stupid expensive. "

"this now holds the top dog position in the expensive but stupid expensive cameras for portraiture, and still life subjects"

If I could afford this set up, that the way I would go too, I'm sure you wont regret it if you make the purchase.

Although, If I won the lottery, I think my first port of call would be my local Hassy shop

If you do decide to purchase, best of luck to you, lets see some images if / when you do

Do you know where you can see some sample shots from the ZD?

And you get Lightroom for free too.

One day... I will shoot MF.

Shasta wrote in post #3757113
Do you know where you can see some sample shots from the ZD?

I've got a friend over at Mamiya who can get me some sample images to post.

NickSimcheck wrote in post #3757268
And you get Lightroom for free too.

One day... I will shoot MF.

FYI: The next version of Lightroom is also going to support tethered shooting.

carpenter wrote in post #3753114
well then I think you meant to say "expensive but NOT stupid expensive. "

"this now holds the top dog position in the expensive but stupid expensive cameras for portraiture, and still life subjects"

You are correct- I corrected the post.

Lightroom will watch folders now for tethered shooting I thought.