Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

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Archive 2010 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

jcolwell
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p.1 #1 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I'm very impressed by the little Mamiya Sekor 60/2.8 macro lens that I just picked up. It's 35mm or full frame DSLR format, with the M42 or Pentax Screw mount. It goes to 1:1 magnification all on it's own, with no tubes or extenders. I was looking for a Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60/2.8 to plug a gaping hole in my lineup of prime lenses (i.e. between 50mm and 75mm), when I noticed this little puppy on eBay a few weeks ago. At $237 US (closing auction price), it cost about half what I expected to pay for the Leica, and so I figured, why not? In fact, the closing price was equal to my maximum bid. Anyway, I think my search is over.

It's well made, with an all-metal barrel. It has the typical, deeply-recessed front element associated with 'old school' double-helical macros, see first photo below. The front element produces some spectacular multi-colour reflections, and so I guess it might be multi-coated, but it's old enough that single coating is more likely. Its vital stats are; MFD = 0.235m, wt = 0.40kg, L = 66.4mm at infinity, L = 130mm at 1:1 (see second photo), W = 66.4mm, filter diameter = 58mm. The focus is very smooth; it even seems a touch 'light', but it stays put and has no hysteresis. It has a pre-set aperture. I was surprised to see that the diaphragm blade edges are clearly visible when the aperture is "wide open", see third photo below.

The Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 appears to be the same lens as the Tomioka Yashinon macro 60/2.8 for C/Y mount. Also, there appears to be an older model of the Mamiya version which has a bright steel surface finish in way of the filter thread barrel section (inside and outside). Mine has black finish on the filter thread barrel section (same as the rest of the lens), and mine has a later S/N than any of the 'bright-nose' versions that I've seen. My version of the lens is included in Roland Stauber's pages on Auto Mamiya Sekor M42 lenses, see http://tinyurl.com/ybk9gxg.

[Edit to include info on Tomioka, bright-nose, and Stauber.]

2012 © jcolwell

Edited on Feb 05, 2010 at 02:47 PM · View previous versions

Feb 04, 2010 at 08:31 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Here's some test photos of a pair of tulip petals, each is about 60mm long. The first image shows the petals at about 1:4 mag (full image). The second image is at 1:1 (full image), and centres on a patch of pollen that is stuck to the top petal. The last image is a 100% crop (f/11, 1DsIII) of the pollen in the centre of the second photo.

[Edit to include full image at 1:1 and modify description of 100% crop as being of top patch of pollen.]

2012 © jcolwell

Edited on Feb 05, 2010 at 02:40 PM · View previous versions

Feb 04, 2010 at 08:33 PM

Ray Simpson
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p.1 #3 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Seems amazing. Just what I need; another macro lens to try; I've only got 4 so far, but none at that focal length!

Feb 04, 2010 at 11:33 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #4 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Haven't seen that lens before Jim, I really like that focal length. You should bring it next trip to Stockholm - and make sure you have enough time for a meet and greet.

Ray: I like the 60's. (the decade too)

Feb 05, 2010 at 01:20 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #5 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Henrik, I'll probably be in Gothenburg in April. Jim

Feb 05, 2010 at 01:22 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #6 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I have my copy of the M/S 60/2.8 macro on the way to me now. I'll do a side by side test against my Yashica ML 55/4 macro, Pentax (1:1 pre-set) 50/4 macro and my Vivitar 55/2.8 macro lenses. Should be interesting.

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:29 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #7 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I look forward to seeing or hearing about the results. I took a few uninspiring shots at infinity focus yesterday, and it did OK. Very clean on backlit branches that often show considerable CA.

Feb 07, 2010 at 10:47 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #8 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Jim, I have friends in Gothenburg I could visit but it might be a bit hard to find time off in april, I haven't been working since november so fundings are now somewhat depleted. I needed some time off work. But let me know what happens. I will be in Jasper, Banff and Edmonton this summer if all goes according to plans.

In the mean time let me know how the Mamiya 60 works out for you, they can be found relatively cheap and I am a sucker for macro 50-60 lenses.

Feb 08, 2010 at 06:27 PM

Yakim Peled
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p.1 #9 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

If only it would be an M645 lens.....

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Feb 09, 2010 at 12:55 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #10 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Just got the Mamiya Sekor 60/2.8 macro. Did some sharpness testing 2 feet from a wall at all apertures. Ashai vs Yashica vs Vivitar vs Mamiya Sekor. Almost too close to call. All are indeed sharp. I have crops if someone wants to see them. Bokeh test next.

Feb 11, 2010 at 10:55 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #11 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I never met a decent macro that I didn't like.

Henrik (kosmoskatten) has a particular interest in this focal length. Me too, but I'm expecting a Canada Post egg to hatch an Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 on my doorstep at any moment, and so my current subject distance is considerably further.

[edit to remove unnecessary words, at least some of them]

Edited on Feb 11, 2010 at 11:41 PM · View previous versions

Feb 11, 2010 at 11:17 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #12 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Yes, 50/60 macros have a very short working distance and thus are special purpose, IMO.

Feb 11, 2010 at 11:27 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #13 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Based on center crops only, I'd have to say the Mamiya Sekor probably comes in 4th by just a bit.

Feb 12, 2010 at 12:38 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #14 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Interesting. Is the Yashica a Tomioka? If yes, then it should be the same as the Mamiya. Let us know your final conclusions.

Feb 12, 2010 at 12:44 PM

mcbroomf
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p.1 #15 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

jcolwell wrote:
I never met a decent macro that I didn't like.

Henrik (kosmoskatten) has a particular interest in this focal length. Me too, but I'm expecting a Canada Post egg to hatch an Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 on my doorstep at any moment, and so my current subject distance is considerably further.

[edit to remove unnecessary words, at least some of them]
I think you'll like the APO/Telyt Jim. I got one recently and I think it's a keeper. The only thing I've found is that it's pretty heavy, and even on a solid mount and a 1ds body I get some vibration. I usually shoot in live view, AEB and with a 2 second delay and it looks like when this happens it's the 1st image that has some shake. I'm going to switch to a 10 second delay. I think my adapter is also a little loose so if I can't tighten it I'll have to look at getting a better one.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Mike

Feb 12, 2010 at 01:10 PM

Bifurcator
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p.1 #16 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Looks like a fun lens jcolwell - and a nice price to boot. Good catch!

Feb 12, 2010 at 01:41 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #17 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

mcbroomf wrote:
...and it looks like when this happens it's the 1st image that has some shake. I'm going to switch to a 10 second delay. I think my adapter is also a little loose so if I can't tighten it I'll have to look at getting a better one.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Mike

Thanks guys.

Mike, I bet that photo would look sharper if you wiped off the frost.

I've now tried three 'brands' of R to EF adapters; generic, Fotodiox, and Novoflex. The Fotodiox Pro (with no focus confirm chip) is my R adapter of choice. The Fotodiox has much better fit than the generic, which is actually not bad. The Novoflex is the best. I tried one at Camera West when I bought my Summicron-R 90, but it costs $300 US. Too high for me. I've done a fair amount of tripod MLU LiveView shooting with the 90 on a 1DsIII, and haven't noticed any problems with vibration due to the adapter. Of course, the Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 is considerably longer and heavier, but I'm confident it'll be OK on the Fotodiox Pro. I plan to use it to replace the Voigtlander 180/4 APO-Lanthar as a travel lens, as it's diameter is so much smaller than the 135/2L or A 200/2.8 APO that I would like to take. I sold the Voigtlander, despite its small size and great sharpness, as it's bokeh and colour were not nearly a match for the 135L and A 200 APO. I hope the Apo-Telyt will fit in nicely.

Feb 12, 2010 at 02:00 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #18 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

OK, back to the 60 macro. Testing done. Did sharpness, color, and bokeh. Bokeh are all about the same. Only a small difference in sharpness. So it comes down to which operates easily, feels better in my hand, and such. Asahi 50/4 (pre-set 1:1 version) was probably my favorite to win going into this test. Has the pre-set action that I like, but focus turn the Nikon (I'm a Canon guy) wrong way, sigh. Vivitar has the least contrast of all. Not something I am looking for here. Yashica ML is the best built lens. But only has click stops for full f/stops on the aperture ring. Winner = Mamiya Sekor 60/2.8. I favor longer mm anyways. Has the pre-set action I like, focus turns in the correct direction. Again, I have pix if anyone is curious.

Feb 12, 2010 at 11:10 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #19 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I think I will put the "other" 3 up for sale on eBay Sunday.

Feb 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #20 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Sounds like a good decision. Thanks for sharing the reasoning behind it.

Feb 13, 2010 at 01:23 AM

Dajavu
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p.1 #21 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Thanks for posting this review Jim, it helped me in my decision to pick up a copy myself (and I won't brag that I paid a little less for mine

).

David

May 26, 2010 at 02:19 AM

gasrocks
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p.1 #22 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I now also have a Leica R 60/2.8 macro lens that I got for less than I paid for the Mamiya. To be honest, they both are good. Really hard to tell the difference. Bokeh is just a bit better (smoother) with the Leica. The fact that the blades never really retract all of the way, even wide open will probably sway me away from the Mamiya eventually. Besides, I am a Leica fan in general.

May 26, 2010 at 02:41 AM

praktinafan
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p.1 #23 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I would prefer the Mamiya to the Leica - it is much easier to handle because of the preset aperture. And it goes 1:1 ...

Jun 07, 2010 at 02:23 PM

helimat
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p.1 #24 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

Nice find Jim! I am in 'need' (want?) of a shorter macro lens, and something like this might be the ticket. I would love to see more images from it.

Jun 07, 2010 at 04:17 PM

praktinafan
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p.1 #25 · Mamiya macro sekor 60/2.8 M42

I just got that lens. I started a growing flickr album.

Jun 12, 2010 at 01:53 PM


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