By Shutterbug Staff

May 8, 2008 — Mamiya has announced a new addition to their professional line of medium format film/digital cameras – the Mamiya 645AFDIII.

The 645AFDIII’s updated intercommunication protocol MSCE (Mamiya Serial Communication for External), provides increased information transfer between the digital back and the camera body, making data transfer fast and reliable.

The Mamiya 645AFDIII employs a new, powerful and silent coreless motor that makes auto focusing faster and quieter than ever before. To further improve focusing control, the focusing point is user-selectable and can be positioned in the center, right or left side of the screen or set on “auto” to let the camera select the focus point.

The new Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8D lens introduced with the 645AFDIII is equipped with an auto/manual focus switch ring that allows fast one-touch selection of auto or manual focus mode. Consistent with all new lenses being developed for the D range, the new 80mm lens contains a 16bit CPU. The 16bit CPU is advantageous for easier firmware upgrading, finer lens characteristic correction and faster, more reliable communication between the lens and the camera body.

The Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8D has a lens barrel cover made of turned aluminum treated with black alumite, replacing the former lens' black polycarbonate plastic cover. This gives the lens a better appearance and texture and adds to its professional feel.

For film use, the new AFDIII with HM402 Film Back employs a powerful coreless motor and achieves a winding speed of 2 frames per second when used in conjunction with the 645AFDIII (instead of 1.2fps with Film back HM401 on the AFDII). In addition to exposure mode, aperture value, shutter speed, exposure compensation value, bracketing position, metering mode, etc., the focal length of the lens in use can now be imprinted on the film edge.

In response to requests from customers for compatibility with rechargeable batteries, the 645AFDIII can also accept nickel-metal hydride AA batteries in addition to the alkaline or lithium AA batteries. The 645AFDIII also allows photographers to select 2nd curtain flash synchronization for creating unique flash photography.

Thanks to Mamiya’s continuing open platform policy, the 645AFDIII is also compatible with digital backs from other makers such as Leaf and Phase One.

The Mamiya 645AFDIII will be available June 2008.

Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8 D Lens w/Hood

COMPATIBILITY: 645AFDII/645AFD III cameras and ZD camera, but not with the previous 645AF and 645AFD models.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Dimensions (L x D): 2 x 3.2 inches (51 x 81mm)
Weight: 11.3 oz. (320g)

www.macgroupus.com