Announced Mamiya 645DF

[Guy Mancuso]

http://www.mamiya.com/news-events-press-releases.html

March 25th, 2009, Japan To Mamiya Distributors

Mamiya 645DF (prototype) . Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm F2.8 LS 0 Lens (prototype) , Multi-battery Vertical Grip G8401 (Prototype)

Mamiya Digital Imaging will be unveiling at the Photo Imaging Expo 2009 the Mamiya 645DF camera body, designed solely for use with digital backs. The new multi-battery vertical grip G8401 and new Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm F2.8 LS D lens for this 645 format camera will be also displayed at the PIE.

Mamiya 645DF (prototype)

Features
The Mamiya 645DF is a camera body designed for use with digital backs. Previously, some compromise was required for designing cameras with both digital and analogue capacities, so we have redesigned and modified specifications in order to allow for peak performance in digital. This new camera body can be used with our other recently released prototypes: the multi-battery grip G8401, and AF 80mm F2.8 LS D Sekor lens. Compatibility with these essential accessories means all of the needs of the professional photographer have been covered. Conforming to our ideal of creating open platforms, the Mamiya 645DF can be used with digital backs of all reputable makers.

Main Specifications
Camera type: 6x4.5cm format, electronically controlled focal plane shutter, TIL
multi-mode, AE, AF Single Lens Reflex for digital use. Image size: 56x41.5mm (actual image) Compatible digital backs: Mamiya ZD Back (and Double Buffer), all Digital Backs compatible
with the Mamiya 645AF series Lens mount: Mamiya 645AF Mount (645 non-AF series can be attached, Hasselblad V series lenses call also be attached with a separately soldmount adapter.)

Viewfinder: Fixed Prism eye level viewfinder with diopter adjustment, magnification xO.71

Field of view: Approx. 94% (on a linear measurement)

Auto focusing system: TIL phase difference detection device, CCD line senSOl' (I+I shaped, operation range: EVO to 18 (ISO 100)

Exposure modes: Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, Program AE (pl'ogram shift possible), Manual

Metering mode: TIL full-aperture metering; center-weighted average (A), Spot (S), Variable ratio (AВ·S auto)

Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical metal focal-plane shutter, can be used with Mamiya AF leaf-shutter lenses

Weight / dimensions: 153 (W) x 128 (H) x 153.3 (D) mm, 1,030g (without batteries)

Price & Delivery time: TBA

Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm F2.8 LS D Lens (prototype)

Features
The Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm F2.8 LS D lens is the first leaf shutler lens in Mamiya's AF lineup. The leaf shutler, which has been developed and manufactured in-house, is capable of shutler speeds from 1/500 second to 16 seconds, and has flash synchronization at all speeds. It allows more control for on-location daytime shooting where flash synchronization is required, as well as for flash photography in studios. The lens has been designed for easy and simple operation in conjunction with the focal-plane shutler system of the Mamiya 645DF. The lens has angle of view of 47 degrees in the 6x4.5 format, the equivaient of a 50mm lens in the 35mm format. As the occurrence of aberration is minimal and balance is of high quality, natural depictions are consistently achieved. Switching between manual and auto focusing is controlled by simply moving the focusing ring back and forward.

Main Specifications
Compatible cameras: 645DF
645AFDIII (requires upgrading) Optical construction: 5 groups / 6 elements Angle of view: 47 degrees Mininltnn aperture: 22 Minimum focusing distance: 70cm Maximum magnification ratio: 0.15 Area covered: 377 x 279mm Equivalent focal length in 35mlll: 50mm (for the 645 film image size)


Filter diameter: 72mm
Hood: Bayonet type
Shutter speed: 1/500 -16 seconds
Flash sync: Full speed synchronization
Weight / dimensions: 51.5 (L) x 80.5 (D) mm, 450g
Price & Delivery time: TBA
Multi-battery Vertical Grip GB401 (Prototype)

Features
The Multi-battery Vertical Grip G8401 is a vertical grip for exclusive use with the 645DF camera. The grip features a shutter release button, an AE lock button and AF lock button for the convenience of the photographer when shooting vertically. This product has been designed with the portrait photographer in mind, allowing for ease of shooting no matter what angle you creativity requires. The grip has a 'smart' function which transmits shutter release signals to synchronize flashes. This function makes it possible to shoot wirelessly with large compatible strobes. The grip can be powered by a wide variety of easily accessible batteries including AA alkaline batteries, AA rechargeable nickel hydride batteries and lithium ion batteries.

Main Specifications
Compatible cameras: 645DF Features: Shutter release button, AE & AF lock buttons, Rear & front
electronic dials Weight / dimensions: 153 (L) x 115 (H) x 78 (W)mm, 400g (including batteries) Price & Delivery time: TBA

Please feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries

Yours Sincerely,
Tsunehisa Haketa Manager, International Marketing Mamiya Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.

Download PDF file

 

[yaya]

16 sec exposure limit? Sounds like a typo...

 

[arashm]

I thought the 45 LS was the first Leaf shutter lens?
am

 

[LJL]

So when some of the LS lenses finally start shipping, folks owning anything but this new 645DF will have to send their bodies into Mamiya/Phase to be upgraded? What is that going to involve, or will Phase/Mamiya just swap out a new body? (Seems like that could be expensive.)

I know some folks have been eager for yet another upgrade to the AFDIII, but this sure does not look like much of a difference, and that battery grip was talked about last year for the AFDI and II if I recall some earlier discussions.

So what exactly is the exciting part about any of this announcement? (Sorry if I sound a bit pessimistic, but this looks like much ado about nothing.)

LJ

 

[ptomsu]

For me this looks like what happened with HaBla introducing the H3D2 two years ago, except that Phase/Mamiya is trying to ensure they are not closing the system.

But what the heck is the issue in bringing a new body which cannot take the film backs? Or a grip which looks just worse than anything I have ever seen in photographic equipment and makes the camera just ugly and big?

For me the compatibility for older film magazines was actually one of the big buying arguments for this system, now it is gone. And I think they face exactly the same issues which Hasselblad also had - there must be a finetuning between back and body for higher resolutions to really show the full potential, this is why also Hasselblad sells now their backs from 39MP up together with the H3D2 body.

And finally - nobody really can argue that for some contacts and information exchanged between back and camera and lens one needs to get into a closed system or make this incompatible with older models, simply it would work to "not" support some functions on older models.

I am not amused by these innovations!

 

[Guy Mancuso]

From my days growing up in Jersey I learned all the wrong slang that made English teachers just bow there heads in despair. "What's this got that I ain't got already" :banghead::wtf:

 

[ptomsu]

Does not change anything on the facts that this is going the wrong direction :sleep006:

 

[ptomsu]

An additional comment on all of these discussions and thoughts about different camera systems - which by occasion I am learning just another time during comparison of different MF systems:

It is always at least 50% the person who is selling and supporting a product or a solution and maximum 50% the product and its features itself.

Just my 5c :angel:

 

[Shelby Lewis]

From my days growing up in Jersey I learned all the wrong slang that made English teachers just bow there heads in despair. "What's this got that I ain't got already" :banghead::wtf:

My thoughts exactly... I don't own any of these cams, so I have no place commenting... but I sure hope this new stuff is WAY more innovative than it appears it will be.

I'm not saying it ain't gonna be good, at all... I'm just trying to find the innovation in the new bodies. Over at LL posted that the whole high-sync-speed function (which I actually find highly desirable) is being displaced with off-camera TTL functions with speedlights in the 35mm realm. Can you imagine if Phase/Mamiya were to partner with RadioPopper or Pocketwizard and actually offer an off-camera flash system that could sync at high-speeds (ttl or not).

THAT would be revolutionary. 1/500th or 1/800th just isn't that "high speed" as far as flash sync in bright light (but I'll take it). And can you imagine the implications for handholding MF? You could shoot at fairly wide apertures in good daylight ... with the associated high shutter speed... PLUS supplementary light from flash.

But... hey... let's all just spend bucketloads of money on LS lenses that only offer a marginal increase in sync speed... right? :banghead:

Phase/Mamiya REALLY needs to talk to Metz and PW/RP.

Again... I'm not trashing the quality of the products (nor the IQ)... just find myself scratchin' my head a bit with it all.

THIS... however... seems mildly innovative (if not very pretty ):