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.]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
