I've just changed my download page so instead of a normal link it now uses zenphotos download file plugin. However i'd like to set the download start count of the files rather than have it start at 0. Can this be done?

No, unless you change the value in the database directly (plugin_storage table).

thats fine i'll do it in the db then. thanks

I guess you need that to pass the already existing download count? Since the download counter is file system based (at least the list one reads "live") it will be hard to create an interface for that I guess.

But for the single file download one we could maybe add an parameter to set the count on the first use. You could open a ticket but for the coming 1.4.2 that will be to late as we will enter feature freeze tomorrow.