Well finally ordered the T-S adapter. I ordered a one of a kind version for OM
(hope not a mistake given the >100 buck premium) that I can also use on FF Canon with my adapters.
Suppose that is really an alternative-alternative type of use. Srb Griturn can make small
adapters for the front end to mount my OM bellows lenses but I should really get some M645 ones as well. I have read the previous posts on this but hope some will comment
on the ones they find most useful. The 35 looks useful for landscapes (I do have a Zuiko
35 shift) and the 55 seems to have an excellent reputation. The 80 and 120 macros might be interesting. Any comments most appreciated.
Mike
The 55/2.8 N will give you a nice T/S lens, the 80 macro is also great. Only problem is that it is f4.0, as is the 120, so focusing is a little bit difficult. Also, with the split screen I have, it is pretty useless for the 80, but other than that, the images are great. From what I heard, I would subscribe to the idea of getting the 35mm N version, even if I never got around the price on that one.
I have all of the N-series M645 lenses from 35mm to 210mm, plus the 80/1.9, A 120/4 Macro, A 300/2.8 APO and C 500/5.6 LD. The most frequently used focal lengths on my Mirex adapter are 55mm, 80mm, and then 35mm. The 35N is a very nice lense, and so is the 45N, despite what some people say about it - the only reason that I select between the 35/3.5N, 45/2.8N and 55/2.8N is focal length, they're all excellent lenses. For 80mm, I chose between the f/1.9 and f/2.8 according to the DOF I want to use and whether I'll be carrying around it all day or not.
I use the 300/2.8 APO a lot, but not with the Mirex. I only recently acquired the 80 and 120mm macros, so I don't yet have much to say about them. I'll be using the 80/4 on a M645 Auto-Bellows for high mag macro, and the few test shots I've taken with the 120mm show it's a really fine lens.
Note that the "N" lenses are also part of the "C" series. For example, the official name for the 55/2.8N is "Mamiya-Sekor C 80mm 1:2.8 N".
mawz wrote:
Make sure you get the S or N version of the 35, the C version is not as good.
The 55's a real gem as is the 120 macro. And try the 80/1.9 too.
I personally own the 55/2.8 N, 80/1.9 C, 80/2.8 C and 150/3.5 C. Of course I also happen to shoot M645 kit.
I was about to say everything mawz said: there's someone who has tested them thoroughly!
As long as you get a late 35mm, it's a fine lens. Skip the 45mm, which I found to be weak, and go for a late 55/2.8 - again N only. The 50/4 shift is also superb for resolution, and brings another 15mm shift to the table - in addition to the Mirex' movements. Watch for flare, though.
Personally, I don't rate the 80/2.8; the f1.9 is cute (if something of a high speed novelty) - but the real star here is the 80/4 Macro which is wonderful and much undervalued. The well regarded 120/4 Macro deserves its already strong reputation. It's also hard to go wrong with a 150mm of any vintage. Also well worth seeking out is the 'legendary' 200mm Apo: not cheap, but a bargain still.
I shoot the 150 C (and 200 APO) on a 1Ds2 and while both are fantastic, the 150 would make a great TS - small, light, built-in hood, sharp, great 'pastel-like' color rendition, very well corrected for CA, smooth operation. Gorgeous bokeh from both as well.
I'm assuming the weight of the 200 would rule out it's operation as a TS optic (but maybe not) - but as hubsand indicates, it is one sweet lens. A bit front heavy and no way to attach a tripod mount, but the IQ... Does nicely with the Canon 1.4x as well.
Conner999 wrote:
I shoot the 150 C (and 200 APO) on a 1Ds2 and while both are fantastic, the 150 would make a great TS - small, light, built-in hood, sharp, great 'pastel-like' color rendition, very well corrected for CA, smooth operation. Gorgeous bokeh from both as well.
I'm assuming the weight of the 200 would rule out it's operation as a TS optic (but maybe not) - but as hubsand indicates, it is one sweet lens. A bit front heavy and no way to attach a tripod mount, but the IQ... Does nicely with the Canon 1.4x as well.
Connor999: You should probably note which 150C you're shooting as there's 4 (the f4, the f3.8 L/S, the f3.5 and the f2.8), I'm assuming you've got the f4 or more likely the f3.5 as those are the most common of the 150's. I'd concur with your description for the f3.5 at least (Which is what I own).
Thanks much guys. I know a bunch more than 24hours ago. I found a NIB 55/2.8 for $189. Sounds impossible, but I'll try and get a better perspective on the pricing.
I am a bit worried with f4 lenses for focusing, though should be a piece of cake on OM but perhaps not FF Can, unlesss I get a new screen. I see there is a thread on that on this list too. This is clearly an excellent place to hang out. I hope I can reciprocate some. Thanks again.
hfaugel wrote:
Has anyone an idea if the integrated flash of the Canon EOS 40D can collide with Mirex-Tilt-Shift adapter?
Yes, when shifting up, the Mirex hits the 40D flash overhang (I just tried it) - there's about a 2mm overlap at the centre of the flash housing. I put my 20D to the bench grinder to allow the Mirex to shift up, now it works great.
hfaugel wrote:
And has anyone used the Mamiya 300/5.6 with the Mirex adapter?
No. I'm confident it would work fine, but I generally don't have a use for T-S on such a long telephoto.
A lot of the ability to see focus 'snap' at F4-5.6 depends on the lens. In ok light, a nice sharp lens (a.k.a with nice edge contrast) at F4-5.6 will snap into focus nicely with any decent focus screen in lighting conditions that will shock you. The more edge contrast the lens delivers, the more snap you get in dimmer light.
I have both of those Mamiya macros; Mamiya-Sekor C 80/4 N Macro, and Mamiya A 120/4 Macro. I sold my EF 100/2.8 USM Macro last month. I was going to sell the 80/4 as well, but then I found it was much better suited for product shooting at near macro magnification, and so I'm keeping it. I can't compare them to the TS-E 90, as I've never used it, but I can say that the A 120/4 Macro is absolutely spectacular.
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