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Review Summary
2008-04-29T21:00:00
The Mamiya AFD II is an excellent camera, it is fast, built like a German Panzer, and has an excellent assortment of lenses that will have you sneering at your Canon 70-300mm. Some may say it's a bit large, but if you're ever mugged it doubles as a wonderful bludgeoning device. As a studio camera, it is rivaled only by the RZ67 IID. Everyone knows the AFD II is incredible...but what's up with it's forgotten little brother, the AFD I? I had a Mamiya AFD I before, and was sorely disappointed to find absolutely no information on it anywhere. Not even the Mamiya website really mentions it or has the instruction booklet. In the event you find yourself able to buy an AFD I for a good price, I say go for it! They really aren't that different. You can use the AFD II instruction booklet, but be aware of a few differences I will highlight. Tests with a gray card yielded very similar results with the camera's TTL, though the AFD II was able to focus faster (not too evident until you are in a low-light situation). I also noticed a sharper picture at the edges when using a wider angle lens. Normal lenses yielded almost identical photographs. The MAIN difference is the lack of a devoted focus lock on the AFD I. Also, the mechanism that controls the TIME mode is radically different. They expect you to start the exposure on the TIME setting, and turn the knob to a different to end. Way to add a billion stops of camera shake for no reason! In addition, there is no CUSTOM FUNCTION knob on the AFD I, either. Finally, one may have issues when using the new zoom lenses and there have been reported issues with the firmware and the digital back. Mamiya will upgrade the firmware, or offer you an excellent deal to upgrade to an AFD II, in most cases. I'd also like to point out that the AFD I came out a good while ago and, while a demo or fresh used version may seem appealing, prolonged periods of disuse dramatically lessen a camera's lifespan. All in all, if you don't mind a few minor differences, don't be afraid of an AFD I if it's in good shape. These two images were taken in horrible, bare tungsten lighting conditions. I had to apply various filters, again losing more light. The first one from an AFD I, the second from an AFD II using identical settings but different angles to show a wider range. Notice that you can't really tell the difference in contrast or clarity.
Vik
6x4.5cm format (actual image size 56x41.5mm)
Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter
TTL multiple mode AE
AF single lens reflex
120 roll film (16 exposures)
220 roll film (32 exposures)
Polaroid Land Pack Film (100 & 600 series)
Mamiya 645 AF Mount Compatible with M645 mount (manual focus confirmation, focus aid, stop-down exposure metering)
Automatic advance to first frame when shutter release button is pressed (Easy Loading)
+/-3 EV or +/- 5EV (1/3, 1/2 or 1 steps)
Fixed prism viewfinder magnification
x0.71 Built-in Diopter adjustment -2.5 to +0.5
(separate diopter correction lenses provide adjustment ranges of -5 to -2 and 0 to +3)
Built-in eyepiece shutter
Interchangeable:
Matte (supplied with camera)
Grid (Checker)
Manual Focus Microprism for M645 lenses
94% of actual image
Focus mark
Out-of-focus direction marks
Aperture value
Shutter speed
Metering mode (A, S, A/S AUTO)
Exposure compensation value (difference between set value and actual value)
AE Lock
Bracketing Position
Battery Checker
TTL phase-difference detection type, normal or spot
4 CCD line sensors in a | + | shape (area indicated on the focusing screen, 10.8x 3.6mm)
Activates automatically under low light, low contrast in Single (S) AF Mode Switchable On/Off.
Range: 29.5 ft. with 80mm f/2.8 AF lens
Automatic switching to flash unit's built-in sub-beam when Metz flash unit is attached with SCA 3952 adapter
Half-press on shutter release and AF Lock Button
Manual (M)
Flash Sync (X)
Time (T)
Aperture priority AE (Av)
Shutter priority AE (Tv)
Programmed AE (P) with program shift: PH and PL settings possible
5-segment evaluative center-weighted average (AV) with bright point elimination Spot (S) Variable Ratio Auto-Shift (A-S AUTO)
Shutter speed and aperture both can be set in 1/3 or 1/2 steps Electronic dial lock (in X, M, Av and Tv exposure modes)
TTL metering; center-weighted average (AV), spot (S) and auto A-S variable ration
EV 2 to EV 19 (with ISO 100 film, f/2.8 lens)
ISO 25 to 6400
With AEL button; released by re-pressing or power switch off; light metering value differentiation in viewfinder exposure compensation display when AEL button is held down; +/-6 EV (1/3 step); shift from set to metered value in M metering mode
Electronically controlled vertical metal focal-plane shutter
AE: 30 to 1/4000 sec. (1/8 step)
Manual: 30 to 1/4000 sec. (1/2 step)
X (locks shutter speed to 1/125th sec. while allowing for full control of aperture values)
B (Bulb, electronically controlled)
T (Time, mechanically controlled) Automatic shutter curtain open mechanism (opens when film magazine, Polaroid holder or digital back is removed, automatically closed when re-attached)
Enabled with Auto-Bracketing button (2 03 3 frames selectable) , 0.3, 05, 0.7, 1EV step units selectable
1/125 sec. or slower, automatically sets to 1/125 when shutter speed dial is setto higher speeds (when Metz flash unit is used). In P mode, the shutter speeds are controlled to 1/125 1/60 sec.
Automatic via built-in motor, single or continuous exposures 1.2 frames per second.
Enabled with Multiple Exposure Button (2 to 6 exposures or unlimited); can be cancelled. More exposures may be dialed in before exposure set is complete.
Electronically-activated by Mirror-Up Button
On camera body:
Aperture value
Shutter speed value
AEL Battery check
Programmed AE
Programmed AE shift
Flash Compensation Indicator (Over/Under)
Auto-Bracketing indicator
Multiple Exposure indicator Self-Timer indicator
On Interchangeable
7 segment dot matrix DATA mode imprints:
Exposure mode
Aperture value
Shutter speed value
Exposure compensation
Bracketing position (normal, over, under)
Metering mode
ID number
DAY mode imprints:
Year Month Date
ID number (switchable between enabled and disabled)
X contact (sync speed 1/125th sec. and slower)
On shutter button
Terminal On side of body (works with remote triggering devices and electromagnetic cable releases)
With shutter release mode selector 2 to 60 sec. (default setting: 10 sec., can be set in 1 sec. steps between 2 and 10 sec., and in 10 sec steps between 10 and60 sec.)
Preview button on front of camera, aperture can be changed during DOF check
1/4 inch and 3/8 inch included
6 AA batteries (alkaline-magnesium or lithium)
6"(W) x 5"(H) x 7"(D) (153 x 128 x 184mm)
61oz. (1730g). w/o batteries
36 custom settings
Difference between it and the AFD I
By Vik
The Mamiya AFD II is an excellent camera, it is fast, built like a German Panzer, and has an excellent assortment of lenses that will have you sneering at your Canon 70-300mm. Some may say it's a bit large, but if you're ever mugged it doubles as a wonderful bludgeoning device. As a studio camera, it is rivaled only by the RZ67 IID. Everyone knows the AFD II is incredible...but what's up with it's forgotten little brother, the AFD I? I had a Mamiya AFD I before, and was sorely disappointed ...
View full Review
Responding to the demands of medium format film and digital shooters, Mamiya hasincorporated the latest auto focusing technology into the new 645AFD II. In addition to a faster, more sensitive focus response, the 645AFD II offers a selective spot or wide focus area within its " + " CCD focus pattern sensor array.
As you would expect, single, continuous and manual focus overrides are available as shooting situations change.Mamiya designed the new 645AFD II with the necessary features and functions to seamlessly support both film and digitalcapture all in one camera system.
Mamiya pioneered the world's first true cross-platform film or digital camera, and now includes its latest MSC (Mamiya Serial Communication) data transfer technology in the new 645AFD II.
All critical exposure and shooting information is internally exchanged between the camera and compatible digital camera backs. Whether you're shooting film or digital, it's the most affordable and technologically advanced medium format camera available. The 645AFD II is loadedwith 36 custom functions.
Individual camera preferences such as 1/3, 1/2 or full aperture/shutter speed increments, flash synch speed, dial functions, exposure compensation increments,bracketing sequence, dial direction setting and much more are easily set and recalled in a snap.
In addition, separate user configurations can be set and recalled on-the-fly when several photographers are using the same camera.
Dedicated "Quick Action" buttons have also been designed into the 645AFD II for fast activation of such functions as multiple exposures, auto-bracketing, key lock, auto exposure lock and auto focus lock.
The Mamiya 645AFD II combines sophisticated advanced features, integrated microprocessor controlled electronics, enhanced performance and the quality of medium format film or digital capture with the power of proven World-Class Mamiya autofocus optics.