I'm going to be looking at getting a 80mm Mamiya 645 lens in a few weeks to use on a mirex tilt / shift set up.
Apart from the obvious (the macro facility) how do these compare in sharpness to edges, distortion, etc.
Also any focus shift with lenses when focussing wide open and then changing to working aperture?
Hi Marc. I have the 80/2.8N and 80/1.9, with an 80/4 Macro on the way for use with an Auto-Bellows N. I haven't noticed any focus shift when stopping down. I wouldn't be too concerned about which is sharper or has less distortion, as they're all excellent M645 normal lenses. I'd make my choice based on what I most want: fast, small & light, or macro. If you're not sure, then the 80/2.8N is generally a real bargain, and it's easy to carry around on the Mirex adapter. Jim.
It's mostly for use on a shift (+tilt) adapter and slow tripod interior / exterior shooting (no landscape trekking). I can pick up a brand new 80/2,8 for very little so would just go for that but may also use it for some product shooting also so the macro may well be a good bonus. If they both work just as well I'll look for the more costly macro version as it does give the added function.
Need to track down a sharp 35mm N also but that's for another thread really!
On topic does anyone know how to date a mamiya 645 lens by its serial number?
I believe there may be a newer version of the "kit" 80mm. As you probably know, all the Mamiya "digital" lenses are much more expensive. But if the 80 was upgraded some people may be selling the one they got as part of the package.
As far as the serial number, I have good luck with the U.S. importer (MAC) responding to questions.
gasrocks wrote:
I had the 80/1.9 and it was very sharp but I just didn't like the Bokeh, so I sold it.
-Reviving tis old thread, as I am consdiering an 80/1.9
I am surprised by Gasrocks' statement, as I currently have the 80/2.8 and LOVE the bokeh it gives. It only has six blades, but they are very curved. The lens also gives a very high degree of "3D" effect, so maybe that's part of why the bokeh is pleasant. (I'm also crazy about the color)
QUESTION: Forgetting the newer "D" lenses, there seems to be a "C" and an "N" version of the 80/1.9 - is this so, and does anyone know the difference?
C and N denotes barrel and coating changes. The N's have lighter barrels with plastic aperture rings and better coatings (Reduced flare, higher contrast)
I like the 1.9 myself (I own it and the 2.8 both in C versions). But the bokeh in some situations can get somewhat funky. It's usually very nice.
There is also an S or interim version of some older lenses - older C metal-centric style body, but N style coatings. Love the 80/1.9 and agree with CA about Bokeh and color. Have yet to try an M645 lens I didn't like.
M645 80mm f/1.9, (C) version. Wide open on a Canon EOS 40D, with a bunch of tilt. I think it held my focus well - this is ISO 800 and it was dark out there. I used live view for this, and truthfully, focus placement wasn't critical.
Got the lens from a pawn shop for $125. The Mirex...ugh...not easy nor cheap to get.
Conner999 wrote:
There is also an S or interim version of some older lenses - older C metal-centric style body, but N style coatings. Love the 80/1.9 and agree with CA about Bokeh and color. Have yet to try an M645 lens I didn't like.
The S versions have C coatings but updated optical designs. The only common S lens is the 45/2.8.
Interesting - always had understanding the S were N coatings. So while there may be S and N variants of a lens (e.g. 55/2.8), the only FL with all three - C, S, N is the 45.. Interesting.
Conner999 wrote:
Interesting - always had understanding the S were N coatings. So while there may be S and N variants of a lens (e.g. 55/2.8), the only FL with all three - C, S, N is the 45.. Interesting.
The 55 has C and N variants (confusingly there is an L/S 55, which isn't an S but is actually a C with a leaf shutter).
From what I understand there is an S version of the 35 as well, with a mild recompute but the same optical layout. It's supposedly quite rare.
mawz wrote:
The 55 has C and N variants (confusingly there is an L/S 55, which isn't an S but is actually a C with a leaf shutter). .
Now that's odd. In another thread, someone wrote that the 80mm Leaf Shutter lens was sharper than even the "N," which made me assume the Leaf was made later than the N.
Could what you are saying here be true of ONLY the 55mm?
?