I Bought the First Medium Format DSLR - Worth it?

[@snappiness]

Just to stay organized, all the comments pointing out my face is out of focus can go here 🤦😂

[@eingilddeclaro6171]

bro your face is out of focus. JK! love your content!

[@snappiness]

@@eingilddeclaro6171 lol, I know people are gonna have a field day with me today 🤣

😂😂😂😂😂🎉

[@RyougiVector]

your focus is out of face

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Are you using manual focussing lens? Without focus peeking? Course your face ain't sharp I'd say...

[@Seapatico]

This channel is just exactly what we were all missing and I'm so delighted to have found it

[@snappiness]

Glad to have you here :)

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

let's just say that I didn't read MF as "Medium Format" the first time I saw that video in my feed...

[@sirius.riz7]

😆

[@matttheking1655]

Comment made my day...🤣

[@snappiness]

LOL okay yeah didn't really think of that, I will update the title to be more clear there ..

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@MP-ns3ci of course! I really don't see what else it could be 😆

[@theowlfromduolingo7982]

Manual focus 🤔

[@malcolmkermode9794]

I use to own a ZD. It's slow but the image quality in daylight is fantastic and the viewfinder is arguably the best viewfinder ever made.

[@QuicknStraight]

Yes, it's an interesting camera and making a half-decent 22MP sensor, in 2006, was quite an achievement.

[@CheezeDipper]

Same Dalsa sensor used in e.g. the Hasselblad H3D-22, Imacon 22 megapixel back and Leaf Aptus 22. Still produces beautiful images at base ISO!

[@jimzielinski946]

The user replaceable filter is a fantastic idea. I understand their fear of the user getting dust and fingerprints on the actual filter, thus the cartridge. I hope you succeed in finding a way to do a cheap IR conversation - that would be cool.

[@snappiness]

I think it'd be so cool!

[@ano_nym]

@@snappiness just buying one of the filters and cutting away the actual filter seems like the easiest method. Then the frame which likely is what it detects will still be there and it should work. Or is there any reason this is improbable?

[@snappiness]

@@ano_nym that's my top idea at the moment too.

[@michaelcroff7097]

As far as I know, an external IR cut filter removes magenta from shadows and is used to improve black tones in the final image. The absence of an IR cut filter does not necessarily create an infrared camera. But it could depending on what filters are or aren’t built into the sensor.

[@riveracollazo]

I find this camera just beautiful man. Way prettier than any of that retro stuff most companies go for nowadays.

[@snappiness]

It is a beautiful camera

[@trels203]

As far as tricking the camera to shoot without a filter. If you can open up a cartridge and get ahold of a filter you can possibly separate the glass from the frame that holds it so when you insert it into the camera it'll think theres a filter in place but would just be a frame with no glass.

[@trels203]

I bet the frame around the filter glass is what communicates to the camera

[@snappiness]

@@trels203 yes, that's what I'm thinking too

[@VintageTechFan]

@@snappiness From what I see on pictures there aren't even any electronic contacts. Since it seems that there only ever were the IR-cut and Lowpass filter, it's very likely just 2 microswitches and notches in the frames. So removing the glass from a surplus cartridge should be totally fine.

[@thissidetowardscreen4553]

Brilliant video! Love hearing about cameras I never knew existed and seeing them being used! Thanks for sharing!

[@joystickmusic]

There are two m645 lenses that are really good: 80mm f1.9 and the 110mm f2.8. The 80mm 2.8 is a planar, very similar to the Zeiss lenses. Contrasty. Exactly like all other good 'normals'. But the 80mm 1.9 has a smooth character that is very typical for mamiya. It is sharp, but the out of focus areas are just so nice! I absolutely adore this lens. The 110mm 2.8 a huge chunk of glass. It has the thickest lens element ever. Very very nice for portraits. It should have been able to focus a bit closer, but the images are so beautiful.

[@GregoryVeizades]

I love my 80mm f/1.9, but they are really prone to hazing. At some point, they will haze. Not if, when. Mine was good for a long time and I kept it really safe and dry and cool. But I took it out for some night photography and found it has started to haze.

[@paulie3095]

Great video as always ⭐️✨ It would be dope to see a Kiev 6c review seeing as it’s probably one of the cheapest medium format slrs with interchangeable lenses

[@jasongold6751]

A failure? Not really because there's Phase One... Mamiya is there. I loved my Film Mamiya in Studio. Used the C3,33,330 and 3~4 lenses. Huge prints on occasion. Very reliable, nice service at time in South Africa.Draw backs, weight. WEIGHT! A friend smaller than me (Registered dwarf according to My Lady) went into free gravity, when he removed 2 bodies he carried.. I sold kit when I went to Pentax 6x7. I was insane. Sold 20 years later in LA to Samys. Very fair price! Walked out with Leica M6TTL. small cash exchange. I could fly! Bravo.

[@1000brink]

Thank you for the review of this ultra rare Mamiya! Who says this channel isn't educational? 😅 I recently went the other way you opted and bought a 645D funnily enough also with 55 and 120 macro lens. And that one is huge to. Guess it has to do with the issue that these lenses are originally made ( i think) for the full uncropped 6 x 4,5 film. So confusing that. Happy snapping!

[@caprature]

The 120 macro is insane. I have it on my 645z. Sharp at all ranges. And very good contrast

[@snappiness]

The 645D looks amazing. And obviously loving Pentax seems right up my alley. I also have the 645n that I haven't shown on this channel since I focus on digital here.

[@Amphibax]

Another camera I will set on the list with cameras I will maybe get when find one for cheap and have some money to spare

[@Caracalaba]

wow that's the rarest camera I've ever seen, thanks for bring it

[@bbbbbfc]

I just moved to Iowa from the south east a few days ago! The Midwest is so beautiful I’m super excited to get my camera out and explore

[@audaxrandonneur]

DALSA is the manufacturer of the sensors for the ARRI Alexa series of cinema cameras. So the expertise of the company is acutally not that bad. Besides Sony Semiconducters and Canon there a not so other many players on the field

[@KobieMC]

That filter thing is very cool! Maybe you can pull one of the filters partially out to see what it's made of and cut a piece of mylar or something to fit into the sleeve.

[@Fotofan4life]

Another really interesting video about a Mamiya unknown to me - thank you. I've had a soft spot for Mamiya dating back to my 70-80's photo retails days including their 35 mm ZE series. Your mention of Hasselblad in this video reminded me of the Kowa 6x6 SLR of 70's vintage. Perhaps you've handled one of those too?

[@karim2k]

Hey dude, we are expecting more content about this legendary camera, please get back to work. Your loyal fans 😅

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

All very interesting stuff I didn’t know this camera existed!

[@musa7606]

FYI the rough effective sensor size of a full frame camera with a Kipon focal reducer is a 51x34.... Or 535 as I call it. But not quite as rare as the Mamiya :)

[@GeraltinWoW]

great review! you really get the medium format feel in some of the images

[@editingsecrets]

A camera for people with big hands who want to never have to say, "Have you seen where I put my camera?" It's attractively designed to look at. Amazing that at $12k they couldn't get basic usability and reliability right. The protective slide-in filter is clever. Do any other cameras do that? Unless there's some kind of coded chip, you should be able to make a plastic tray around a piece of clear glass, with whatever push tab triggers the "filter present" sensor. Can you slide a small fiber optic bundle in there to look around for that sensor? I lived in the midwest a while. The pictures look very accurate to a soft-colored overcast midwest day, with realistic, not hyped skin tones. Always liked the CCD look. Can't see any reason to buy this over a new camera for $4k. What a deal you got! It'll be fun to see what you do with it.

[@JACKnJESUS]

This one of those videos where you start out...wow...mind blown...and then as the minutes pass...slow deflation... of elation...to resignation.

[@matthewTobrien]

Welcome to Iowa! 72 degrees two days ago…woke up to a dusting of snow today. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@snappiness]

Yep 😂 I am excited though. I grew up in Missouri and missed the Midwest. Though we arguably came from paradise weather wise. South Texas was amazing that way.

[@TheDamnGarage]

I’m getting “if Ludwig Deiter was into cameras and not safes vibes” awesome channel!

[@leonarddaneman810]

I jumped on a Pentaz 645z years ago, someone claiming it had only 13 shutter releases, $3000 . . . original box, etc. And DAMN, hooked the camera up to the Internet and he wasn't lying. Lucky 13. Love the 50mgpxl sensor, same as Hassy and Fuji used . . . dynamic range . . . and the legacy glass from the 645 series. Now, after all these years, it is no longer at the tippy top, but still a superior performer.

[@YELLERR]

In case you weren't aware, most professionally oriented cameras go for a shutter button that is as soft and squishy as possible as it reduces the vibration that pressing the shutter button causes, thus reducing the chance of shaky images. It's been like this for a while, since the original 5D at least.

[@heresmyurl]

Just stumbled across your channel, pretty good stuff. Gonna have a poke around. Only thing I notice, medium format was never about ratioi, it was about the film it was using, anythig above 35mm in terms of film was considered medium format; it was all based on physical size. The same holds true for digital, anything above 35mm full frame sensor is considered medium format. A whole raft of sensor sizes fall into that category. Then, anything 4x5 or larger is considered large format, basically.

[@leehaze1]

Interesting camera. Thanks for the overview.

[@b0ss__li]

Nice camera. Nice video. Nice SM57

[@scotthullinger4684]

By far the currently BEST digital camera - in particular for the small amount of money spent considering for what you get - is the Fuji 100 megapixel mirrorless camera. A hell of a lot of bang for the buck. In fact, that Fuji model has even been compared favorably above the Fovean.

[@anderskristensen8871]

Great video. Thanks. It big, somewhat heavy, rather slow rare batteries - but this is a 48x36mm Dalsa CCD! To get that on the road, then a smaller package isnt really an option. An alternative way to this CCD-sizes have to be the Hasselblad CFV-39, Phase One P25, or the Mamiya ZD (unDSLR-version), but it is as digital back. Then you have to add body, and lenses. I have these backs and a couple of these ZD´s. Remember that modern GFX is only 44x33mm and CMOS. I personally think CCD is the "film"-format of the digital cameras. It sucks colors like Kodachrome 64 - no wonder the Leica M8/M9 is still in the game.

[@haraldlenz7263]

Very cool, exciting camera!

[@SlavaVeres]

❤ OMG! What an amazing camera! I’m so jealous! I want to buy some kind of CCD medium format camera. I have my eye on older Hasselblads, but they are so expensive still!

[@tiziocaio8657]

CCD colours are amazing

[@AveryDelMiller]

What a neat camera!!!

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

That’s the power of CCD !

[@ColtonMatocha]

It's definitely a cool looking camera!

[@tanha8178]

The video content is very well crafted! Thank you, subscribed!

[@tlangphoto]

You moved to Iowa! that's awesome I hope you find yourself venturing north into Minnesota for some of your future photo adventurers.

[@snappiness]

I hope I do someday! It looks beautiful up there!

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the review. I have been waiting for Mamiya to produce a 6x7cm digital back for my RB67.

[@photom3]

A slight medium format tangent. The Kodak “box” camera used 120 roll film and are actually a medium format camera. Not digital and the only controls are a shutter release and film advance. But hey, it’s cheaper than a Hasselblad by a long shot.

Just to point it out: Dalsa has manufactured plenty of MF CCD sensors, not only this one. During the CCD era, MF cameras' sensors were basically either Kodak or Dalsa, so not a small player at all. Dalsa sensors produce gorgeous images, in many cases superior to Kodak's sensors.

[@Fjalll]

If I remember correctly this sensor also came as a digital back

[@snappiness]

That's correct!

[@key2adventure]

I use this camera with the 80mm f1.9, which in my opinion is one the most awesome lenses ever made for medium format. Got mine with less than 2000 shots on the clock and the lens for around 1800 USD. Also think this was a good bargain.

[@shutterbug00]

Mate you need a better pop filter on your mic. Besides that loving the content! I remember when this dropped and thought it was stupid expensive.

[@obscur_yoann]

I am lucky enough to used it professionally in France a long time ago. Big and very heavy but very cool and great results.

[@injeolmi6]

I did not even know about this beast. Nice.

[@n2kos]

Interesting video of an odd camera. I used 2 of these for work years ago and the picture quality was really good at the time. You didn’t mention the hopeless rear screen which is a joke really. Also the writing speed is so slow you can go and make a cup of tea and its still writing to the card!😂 The 35mm 3.5af Mamiya lens is worth getting, super sharp! Mamiya no longer support the zd sadly so if goes wrong its a diy repair. I don’t understand why they are still so expensive, they should be around £500 max not worth any more money really, but fun and nice quality images if you can put up with it!😂

[@drrrw]

Hearing that this was low produced item seems nice but the ergo seems hit or miss depending on the user. But very exclusive scope you have here.

[@KingGameReview]

I would love to use that giant CCD sensor.

[@joshuajlewis1575]

That Camera finna worth 2 million in about 25 years. Good buy bro.

[@p1.vision]

Ah yes the manual focus dslr

[@marochruiz1019]

Great video never even knew that camera existed

[@The_CGA]

Yeah has the inspirational hardware quality of a Sanyo camcorder… I’d have to build out a rig to keep it safe doing it handheld. But I really like the low pixel density and find myself really interested in how it would look inlandscape and in studio still life.

[@admiralvontirpitz7115]

Didn’t follow your advice and just struck one with 100k actuations )a bit on the high side of course) but in full working conditions with the 80 F2.8 lens for around a grand, I know I’ll most likely regret it, but the full rez samples I’ve received just impressed me for their pixel level sharpness even if it’s “only” a 22MP pixel camera, and with some editing in C1 I quite liked the results, so I guess I’ll try to make the most out of it before falls apart 😅 Just bought also the cheap 150 F3.5 to try doing some portrait work, as I quite like skin tones out of those old CCD sensors.

[@dadautube]

this is a cool camera actually ... especially compared to my most favorite MF DSLR to day, the Pentax 645D, which new, is available at around the $4`500 ... (and i'm not even sure if the ad is just there on the dealer's website just because they forgot to take it off?) of course the mentioned Pentax model's 40MP CCD sensor (by Kodak) has one of the best image qualities imo, rarely seen on any other MF DSLR body (even those with larger sensors ...) ... but this Minolta model's image qualities shown here are also quite fine ... i like its bulky looks too ... 🙂

[@jinchoung]

wow... ccd so no rolling shutter? that could be a nice benefit for some kinds of shooting....

[@toby8309]

yeah....

[@32BitLink]

With a mechanical shutter where the sensor is read out after it's exposed having a global shutter doesn't really matter as much.

[@classic.cameras]

I was a camera nerd back in the 00's and honestly never heard of this camera. So wish I kept those BHphoto catalogs I had from then. Things like this. But WOW this sucker is big. How much does the body weigh with that 50mm lens?

[@Finallybianca]

Great video and Welcome to my home state.

[@snappiness]

Thank you! 😊

[@Crispy_Bee]

Something to add: Dalsa used to make most medium format CCD sensors like the PhaseOne P series sensors (and I believe they made the IQ CCD sensors too?). One very neat feature was the pixel binning, which reduces the resolution of the sensor by combining the readout of 4 pixels to increase the photo site. That improved the signal/noise ratio and the dynamic range for high-ISO settings, as CCD sensors were notoriously bad beyond ISO400. The downside was that you lost 3/4 of your resolution.

[@snappiness]

I will have to look this up! Does the Mamiya ZD have this feature then or just the PhaseOne cameras?

[@Crispy_Bee]

@@snappiness I'm not sure, I know other Dalsa (and Kodak) sensors which are not used for photography also feature pixel binning, but for photography only the old PhaseOne backs come to mind. But as I said it reduced the resolution to 1/4 of the original resolution, so for the 60MP PhaseOne back that meant 15MP. Which was... uhm.. yeah. Something. But better than a completely unusable image with a lot more noise.

[@admiralvontirpitz7115]

After just one week of shooting with this chubby lady, I'm totally in awe with the sheer quality and rendering characteristics of the pics that is able to churn out, they are up there with my very best Foveon and high pixel FF cameras paired with very good glass; therefore I really struggle with the concept that it was considered already "old" and inadequate when it hit the market (even if late) in 2007, because in the right conditions it can really give any modern FF camera a run for their money in my opinion. Talking about spare batteries, have you by chance found a potential substitute for them? Apart from very few originals at high prices I couldn't find any other battery type that would fit the bill (luckily I got two originals with mine and being it a reflex camera it is not overly power hungry for a day of shooting).

[@snappiness]

I haven't looked too closely at batteries yet - I have two and they're working great. I should though. These aren't going to last forever.

[@admiralvontirpitz7115]

@@snappiness I’m in the same boat, unfortunately so far no success, there are a lot of similar shaped ones, but none with those two “holes” in the contacts, will keep you posted if I find something

[@christianlainesse4281]

Can you adapt vintage lenses on it, ie have the camera trigger even if it doesn't detect a lens? I found I get better photos on my 50mp GFX than on my 100mp one with vintage glass.

[@wymusic91]

amazing. I was thinking of buying this camera for a long time. The sensor size is biggg.

[@jawats]

I think Mamiya Leaf uses / used DALSA for their digital backs.

[@johndc7446]

Interesting camera. One thing I noticed is how impractical it is to use only 20mp from a medium format sensor. I think a medium format sensor has to have at least 40mp.

[@roberto.abella]

I'd love to see a nicely done picture using the Brenizer method with this camera..

[@sveshnikovnikita7936]

love video quality compared to earlier videos, but still would be nice to have you in focus)

[@essexphotographer5211]

Can You use Mamiya 645 N lenses in that camera... Does the camera give You focus feedback on manual focus lenses? Curious as was invested in Mamiya. Still have two Mamiya 645 film bodies and 1.9 N as well as Mamiya 6 with 50mm and 150mm lenses.

[@s8wc3]

I wouldn't be surprised if the squishy shutter button is intentional, high end Nikons did (still do?) that. The idea is to reduce shake but I don't buy it personally.

[@someoneelse242]

I got a screaming deal. But it came with plenty of dust that took me several hours to clean. I haven't touched the real sensor, but cleaned the filter cavity a few times. I was supposed to experiment with a vacuum but on the fence about it. It did have that much dust. Contact me I'll send you a before and after. The card slot, yeah, annoying! I did adjust it though and now it's a sweetheart. Now the capacity, it only likes SanDisk. I had up to a 16GB or only 400 shots est. Since SD capacity is 2GB or 50 shots that was not going to cut it. I miss the digital back I have it produces smaller files 22MB (compressed vs this ones 35MB). What are you talking about Dr? 😆 This is standard 2005 tech. It has usable files at native iso and thats it. I did a test on the digital back at iso 50. Black frame minus 4-6 stops. It pushed to normal in lightroom. Yes, even mosquitoe noise but the colors were in tact! Very impressive!! Lenses... Yeah.. Enough as long as GFX inbreds keep their hands off 40yr old optics. It makes no sense to place the 70s manual lenses on the modern sensor. For US, the 55-110mm zoom is okay. Like the pentax system, these lenses were made for true 645. Applying any crop factor changes everything. 55 is not wide enough and there's no 33-55 zoom like the pentax. I got the 35mn but even then the crop factor says I need a 28mm. That was just released for the phaseone system. That's around 2K and comparable to GFX glass prices. Your kinda set with those 2 lenses. Honestly. The 120 is like a 70 macro. Meaning telephoto and close up capabilities. I ended up with a 110 2.8. It's the same thing. These systems aren't meant to be shot wide open. I usually stop down to f11 for acceptable DOF. This sensor is 1 whole stop or 0.7x crop factor. That means 50mm f8 is the same as 70mm f11 on this.

[@ohmwai]

Old enough to remember when this video was still titled "The First Ever MF Camera"

[@snappiness]

🤣🤣 🪦🕊️

[@reinhartreuschel5499]

Very astonishing and delighting! Just discovered between lots of irrelevant jabbering by others - thank you;-))

[@princequestly2218]

What a rad camera. 😻

[@suzukitaka4470]

Very much enjoyed your reviews! Any cameras that outputs results like this one or Leica m8/9?

[@southendsites]

I have old Mamiya 1000s and a 80mmN 1.9 lens ... Have You tried manual focus lenses? on The Mamiya ZD ... Does that work? If so I may and try to look for one on Ebay... Not having to get a lens might make it more practical.

[@sharpskilz]

Whats the wobbly thing in the top left of the frame on your main shot camera?

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

The fact this still costs 1800-4000 $ is absurd, considering how outdated it is. Guess it's a matter of rarity. I'd love an older digital medium format camera but apparently they're all outrageously expensive regardless of their age. I'd spend that kind of money on some camera gear that repays itself with work, not on scratching an itch.

[@milesian1]

I love the form factor of the cameras based on the Mamiya 645 series, and my favorite is my 645 Pro TL, so it's really cool learning that this ZD even exists. Also nice to see you with an SM57 - also a classic.

[@Tejvir7]

Nice find

[@Scyth3934]

Did it start shipping before the release of the 1DsMK3? They beat Canon to 21+mp!

[@someoneelse242]

Yes. Circa 2005 but not imported to US, 1 AF point and different scales of price.. Thats 2 different types of customer.

[@TheRealUnconnected]

Wondering if you had any views or advice on the Canon G9-G12 range of cameras. I am looking to get into 'digicam' imagery to complement my Fujifilm system for a bit of fun. In a totally your opinion way do you feel these Canon CCD's produce 'digicam' style images?

[@photobobo]

Dalsa also mage the CCD sensor in the Pentax 645D.

[@Bobb1julie]

Hey ALEX.. just came across your presentation which brings back great memories and I was shooting professionally in the 80s. I owned 2 Hasselblad 500 ELM’S and one ELM. I was very much into double exposures utilizing my A12 and a 24 backs.. Incorporating a reverse mask Bellows type on the front of the camera camera.. I would take a picture and remove the back, cock the shutter and then take the second.. You can become very creative with this approach to photography as you well know.. question.. I’m assuming you can but I’d appreciate if you confirm my thoughts. Can you take a double exposure with this system as it stands now thank you.

[@puffingtonsmythe8690]

I wanted you to put that camera with its filter on a tripod and laugh at it being in the way !😂

[@verebellus]

Dalsa also made the Dalsa Origin which has a pretty interesting history

[@ericrudoph3471]

Hello newbie here, so Would I be better off with an older Medium format digital or something newer like maybe a canon 5dsr? for portraits and landscapes?

[@tiziocaio8657]

Least based medium format camera:

[@itsAvient]

it's so weird seeing teledyne dalsa in this video because i was like "hey my mom works there, and that's where i drop her off for work" small world

[@editingsecrets]

Why not ask her if anyone there has a contact with someone who would know about the filter replacement thing?

[@dummatube]

Sorry but we had a Hasselblad with a removable 24MP Kodak digital back in 1998!

[@gundamzerostrike]

Cool Italian camera. Mamma mia!

[@pnphoto]

I worked with one 10 years ago, but its almost impossible to work with low light and no tripod. The mirrow vibration its huge, and you have to work above 1/160 or more of shutter speed, the working iso its just 50 or 100 and the back LCD its a joke. It was a nice try from Mamiya but it was a flop.

[@Wileyinthestreets]

If you ever decide the sell the camera any chance I could get first dibs? 🤔

[@scotskinner4350]

Welcome to Iowa.

[@Moiguay]

Pictures look actually very close to Noritsu film scans

[@KristofferTrolle]

They often break, i bought two that I returned again, both that has different problems, so buyers beware

[@snappiness]

Yeah the build quality doesn't seem that great... I think all my Pentax/Nikon/Canon DSLRs have been better built than this. It's not terrible, but it's not great.

[@huntedproductphotography2718]

Here before 1000 views ❤ love this Chanel and would love to collab one day once I create some videos