The 150/2.8A is very sharp, too sharp for flattering renditions of people. The control of the 145/4 in rendition makes it a more versitile choice for my purposes in that regard. That said, it is of reasonable weight, far too cheap a price for the quality of construction, and I may use it tonight at a concert (but 2.8 is a bit slow).
I haven't shot it clinically against the 200 APO, but my first impression about the 150/2.8 was of its very high image macrocontrast (and CA resistance). The 200 APO's first impression was one of microcontrast and color rendition. I can not see any difference in sharpness; both lenses outresolve the 5D2 sensor. One of these days, I'll get around to a more clinical evaluation as I now have almost everything (not counting C vs N) between ~100-200mm in Mamiya (missing the /4 and /3.8LS 150mm): 110/2.8N, 120/4, 120/4 AF (an accident), 145/4, 150/2.8, 150/3.5, 200/2.8, 210/4. Also have the 55-110/4.5 and 75-150/4.5 zooms. The last one is a very good choice for the Mirex - if you can find one.
kosmoskatten wrote:
JJ: you have a keen eye for finding lines and compositions when shooting cars. I figured the Mirex would work well for some macro shots, hence the interest in it.
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Thanks.
I've never really used the Mirex for Macro specifically but I suppopse the way I use it, esentially shooting product shots, is almost the same. I suspect it would be ideal for Macro.
I use my Mirex much like JJ does, for product and landscape shooting, especially for 'groundscapes' with 80mm to 150mm lenses. I find that the Mirex doesn't provide enough movement for higher mag macro shooting. I usually use the A 120/4 Macro or C 80/4N Macro 'straight up', on fixed Fotodiox Pro adapters, or I go to the Mamiya Auto Bellows N. The Auto Bellows front standard allows more movement than the Mirex, in more directions, and you can stick the Mirex at the back of the rig for 'rear movements'.
Jim,
thanks for looking.The ladder is actually part of a restored wooden windmill on a local community farm Park.I just took the picture without the fan at the top to try something different.
-Jim
Jim Schemel wrote:
Jim,
thanks for looking.The ladder is actually part of a restored wooden windmill on a local community farm Park.I just took the picture without the fan at the top to try something different.
-Jim
Nice way of framing the subject. Very ambigous without the larger context.
P.S. I always look at your posted shots, but I often don't say anything. Keep 'em coming!
jcolwell wrote:
I use my Mirex much like JJ does, for product and landscape shooting, especially for 'groundscapes' with 80mm to 150mm lenses. I find that the Mirex doesn't provide enough movement for higher mag macro shooting. I usually use the A 120/4 Macro or C 80/4N Macro 'straight up', on fixed Fotodiox Pro adapters, or I go to the Mamiya Auto Bellows N. The Auto Bellows front standard allows more movement than the Mirex, in more directions, and you can stick the Mirex at the back of the rig for 'rear movements'.
Interesting.
I've only ever used a Sinar with a Rodenstock APO-Rodagon-N enlarging lens for macro and found I was using fairly extreme tilt at times to get the look I was after, certainly well boyond the 10 degrees of the Mirex so maybe the Mirex is a poor choice for Macro. Extreme tilt tends to do wierd things to Bokeh as well, bright points tend to get distorted and CA seems to be more prevelant. I don't think I have examples to post but I'll have a look. I'm not a Macro shooter however so my experience is very limited.
The 120/4 arrived today and is in very good nick. I received a M42 to Sony adapter from a friend who lives 5 min away so a M645 to M42 adapter and I am good to go. I will go this route until I find a one adapter solution that doesn't cost more than the lens itself.
Question about the Mamiya 200/2.8 APO: What is the size of the filter thread on the extendable hood? Is it 82mm?
The lens cap is 77mm but it doesn't make sense to me to put a hood on the inner threads onto which the cap goes, if I can make use of the extension of the attached hood.
Aham,
I wish i could help you.I am not a big fan of the built in lens hood on this lens.because when it is in its resting position it is not tight so it is always knocking the lens cap off.I have the larger screw on hood and i do use it sometimes.
-Jim
