Which digital back for a RZ67 Pro ll D

[peter_barwick]

<p>I apologise if this question has been asked before, but I have an RZ67 Pro ll D and am looking at getting a digital back for it. What are my options?<br /><br />The Mamiya Leaf website isn't much help as it simple says <em>''The use of digital backs, such as the Mamiya ZD Back or others, is easy through direct, digital communication with the camera body"</em>. Well 'or others' is a fat lot of good when trying to work out what works! <br /><br />I read that Leaf Aptus and the Phase One work, but do I need adapters etc...<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any help and advice.<br>

Peter</p>

[howard_m]

<p>In the US? give capture integration dot com a call.</p>

 

[Jochen_S]

<p>From my limited understanding backs get hooked to your lens' x-sync and seem to require camera specific adapters. The last one I looked up was almost 800GBP but consisted from two pieces. (Leaf Valeo to Linhof's slider + slider emitting direct connection to a camera.)<br>

What are your needs back wise? They seem to come with pretty small sensors, 35mm FF and slightly bigger. In doubt and if not shopping for prehistoric stuff, like I am, I'd simply email any pro store selling used gear asking what you'll need on the side.<br>

There is a 645digiback to RB adapter for $560 right now on ebay. <br>

I'm not sure when Heidelberg (Jenoptik) withdrew from that market (if at all) but their back catered the big Mamiyas.</p>

[ondebanks]

<p>Your options are limited to a Mamiya/Phase 645AF mount back [the brand could be Phase One, Leaf, Mamiya, Sinar etc. as long as it has the 645AF interface]. You will also need a HX701 645AF-to-ProIID interface plate.<br>

Such a setup does not need sync cables between the lens and digital back; the back is controlled digitally through the interface plate.</p>

[carlo_d]

<p>I bought my RZ67 II used and it came along with a Phase One adapter for Hasselblad V. It works great with my CFV-50. I even modified the adapter plate (filled in one small tab) and it rotates! So portrait mode is a breeze (try that on the Hasselblad V)</p>

<p>Here is a pic of the plate:<br>

<img src="/photodb/folder?folder_id=1087780" alt="" /></p>

<div></div>

[ondebanks]

<blockquote>

<p>I bought my RZ67 II used and it came along with a Phase One adapter for Hasselblad V.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Well Peter has a Pro IID, not a Pro II. <a href="https://www.phaseone.com/en/Search/Article.aspx?articleid=1123&">As this article explains</a>, the Hasselblad V adapter plates are incompatible with the IID, unless the camera is sent away for modification. </p>

[carlo_d]

<p>I do have a Pro IID and I got it to work. I removed the cable on the plate and used a sync cord connected to the lens. Not sure of the setting I used on the CFV-50 (I think 500 series or X Flash Synch and some shutter delay. No need to wake up the CFV either). As I said I also got the plate to rotate by a small modification. I am traveling in India at present. In April I will be back home (Amsterdam, NL) and I can give more details on the set up. However, be sure that it works.<br /> Here is a message from another photographer that I found on a forum:<br>

<br /> Re: Mamiya RZ67 PRO II and Hasselblad CFV-50 back<br /><br />I use the same adapter with a cfv39 back. It works well. <br /><br />I took / cut the cable off the adapter plate. <br /><br />One problem is the adapter plate will not rotate so no way to do a portrait orientation.<br /><br />one big plus is you can get away without using a sync cable. Set digital back to x sync mode with a 4 second timeout. Attach a wake up cable to back. To take picture send wake up signal, then press shutter. After 4 seconds digital back will write the file.</p>

[ebsanford]

<p>I have the Pro-IID and most of the RZ67 lenses. Initially, I tried using an Aptus 22 (1st generation) with the Mamiya adapter plate. I never got this combo to work successfully without a sync cable, which made the Mamiya plate superfluous. Eventually, I traded my Aptus 22 for an Aptus-II 7 (2nd generation, 33Mp). This back has worked flawlessly with the IID and the Mamiya adapter plate. There are a couple of different version of the Mamiya adapter plate. Just make sure you get the version that goes with your Aptus-II model, as they have slightly varying sensor dimensions. You don't want a plate with an opening that doesn't correspond to your sensor shape/size!</p>

<p>As for comparing the RZ vs 645DF (w/Schneider lens) there is no comparison. I have both, and shot for shot, using the same back, the RZ setup gives superior results. This is probably because the sensor is cropping to the center of a lens that's made for a 7x7 image circle. This largely eliminates corner falloff. Yes, the DF is a faster workflow, and it can give much higher flash sync when shooting against the sun. But for slow work, the IID/Aptus-II can't be beat.</p>

<p>Also, remember that with a digital back on an RZ you'v got a 1.6 factor. So the 50mm lens frames up like the 75mm with a film back. The 75mm frames like the 110mm, and the 110mm frames like the 180mm. And shooting the IID/Aptus-II tethered to Capture One works with absolutely no issues.</p>

[owen_murray]

<p>Hi Carlos,</p>

<p>I'm wondering whether yourself, or anyone else would mind sharing more details on your setup? I'm working for an archaeological mission that has acquired the exact same setup, but we're not having any luck getting the system to work.</p>

<p>We have:<br>

• RZ67 Pro IID<br>

• Hasselblad CFV-50c;<br>

• PhaseOne (70964) adapter plate for a Mamiya RZ67</p>

<p>No problems mounting the plate and back, but have run into issues removing the cable from the adapter plate (the small screws that hold the cable in place on the back of the plate have been stripped). Is it absolutely necessary to remove this cable, or did you do this just so that it wasn't hanging around and getting in the way? For the time being we just haven't plugged it into the RZ67 body, i.e. no connection between the plate and camera.</p>

<p>Have put the CFV-50c to flash sync mode and then connected a flash sync cable from the RZ67 lens to the 'input' port on the CFV-50c but no luck... Any suggestions? Would you mind posting a photo of your setup?</p>

<p>Many thanks in advance to yourself or anyone with suggestions that can help with this!</p>

 

[owen_murray]

<p>Hi Carlo,<br /><br /></p>

<p>Just to follow up with above; got the system to work with no problems, just as you mentioned – the issue turned out to be two weak batteries that needed a full charge... :-\<br /><br /></p>

<p>To clarify for anyone else considering this setup, it works; no need to remove the cable from the plate either (other than aesthetics, or perhaps to make rotating the plate easier, which is what will be attempted next) <br /><br /></p>

<p>It's a fantastic combination with a lot of versatility. Can't wait to test it out on a few view camera systems. </p>

<p> </p>