Archive 2011 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

Michael Gordon
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

Since I have a Mirex adapter, looking for something wider than
the 55mm I have. I think some alt members don't mind this lens on the adapter.
The reviews don't look so hot though, but perhaps it is good enough especially
if one is able to tilt and improve foreground sharpness.

http://tinyurl.com/4kktp9h

Mike

Mar 29, 2011 at 05:52 PM

JohnJ
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

I quite like the 35mm, with the Mirex.

I think the 35 N is a bit better than it is generally credited for. Having said that, it does seem too soft at F3.5 and I always use mine at F4 where it is already much sharper (there really is a big difference even over that 1/2 stop step). The 35N is actually quite sharp when stopped down.

I have no hesitation using the 35N at F4 all day, with plenty of tilt/shift, and have done. The images below are all with a 35N with Mirex and various amounts of t/s almost certainly at F4. I posted those in the Mamiya MF thread recently too.

http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.6651207.1.flat,800x800,070,f.jpg

http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.6651126.1.flat,800x800,070,f.jpg

http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.6651121.1.flat,800x800,070,f.jpg

http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.6651203.1.flat,800x800,070,f.jpg

The biggest problem I've found with almost all of the M645 lenses (even the 'near-APO' 120) is that they do generally suffer a fair bit from CA when wide open but some lenses are better than others.

JJ

Mar 29, 2011 at 06:21 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

Great photos JJ. I like the 35N as well.

Mar 29, 2011 at 09:55 PM

JohnJ
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

jcolwell wrote:
Great photos JJ. I like the 35N as well.

Ta. That's Aussie for thanks!

JJ

Mar 29, 2011 at 11:00 PM

sirimiri
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

John, the first image is drool-worthy. I am a sucker for that stuff.

Tell me, can you achieve *perfect* infinity focus with your Mirex, on anything 80mm or higher (non-ED/APO, e.g. it has a fixed infinity stop)

Mar 30, 2011 at 01:13 AM

philip_pj
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

and ta to you as well for these, mate. My 80/1.9 also has some sometimes bothersome CA, but is very nice in low light, soft contrast with good sharpness.

The word I have read is that the 35N is easy to disturb in usage (alignment), hence many users not liking it much - and it is a very wide lens on 645 so gets higher expectations than it should for 35mm adapter use.

siri, the 80/1.9 is quite easy to focus on the A900 with stock screen, FWIW.

Mar 30, 2011 at 01:49 AM

sirimiri
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

...My 80/1.9 also has some sometimes bothersome CA, but is very nice in low light, soft contrast with good sharpness.
Well said, that sums up my Mamiya lens experience better than I could have done.

...siri, the 80/1.9 is quite easy to focus on the A900 with stock screen, FWIW.

I just use Live View on my Canon, it simplifies everything. But, the 1.9 (not N) has a hard infinity stop, and I don't think I can *quite* get to infinity with it, hence my question. I think Yakim Peled had also carped about that, about a year and a half ago...

Mar 30, 2011 at 02:01 AM

JohnJ
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

sirimiri wrote:
John, the first image is drool-worthy. I am a sucker for that stuff....

Ta.

sirimiri wrote:
...Tell me, can you achieve *perfect* infinity focus with your Mirex, on anything 80mm or higher (non-ED/APO, e.g. it has a fixed infinity stop)

I generally use Liveview, as the 5d2 viewfinder sucks and blows, and have never noticed any problems getting accurate infinity with any of the lenses that I have (35N, 45N, 55N, 80N, 110N, 120A or 150A). In fact it's one of the first things I test when I get a new lens as my balcony overlooks a valley where there are buildings 1-2 Km away. I usually photograph my tormented cat first, as she spends about 23 out of 24 hours sleeping on the sofa, then the buildings on the other side of the valley. I've never noticed any issues focusing on infinity perfectly, that is without tilt. The only time I've had issues getting infinity is when the tilt is such that it prevents it, but that doesn't happen often.

JJ

Mar 30, 2011 at 03:18 AM

JohnJ
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

philip_pj wrote:
...The word I have read is that the 35N is easy to disturb in usage (alignment), hence many users not liking it much - and it is a very wide lens on 645 so gets higher expectations than it should for 35mm adapter use. ....

I think it's kind of hard to judge a lens like the Mamiya 35 as it's really designed as a superwide for medium format (equivalent to 21mm lens on 35mm camera) and it does that well. However, it's NOT the sharpest tool in the shed and expecations of Leica or Zeiss like sharpness will, and do, lead to dissapointment.

When I was 15 years old I had a Mamiya 645 1000s and an 80/2.8 which my parents bought for me. Photography was keeping me out of trouble, I had a darkroom already, so it was a decent 'investment' in their eyes. The first lens that I ever bought with my own hard earned money, I stacked shelves in a supermarket after school for a long time, was a 35mm Mamiya (non-N, as they didn't exist then). Even then it was apparent to my rather inexperienced eyes that the 35 simply didn't have the sharpness of the 80 (which is excellent), but the 35 was no slouch either. It's the same today. The 35 is a very good lens, but if it wasn't for the Mirex then there wouldn't be too much reason to use it, IMHO, as there are certainly better options.

The Mamiyas have a similar tonal gradation to Leica R so that might be a factor in choosing to use Mamiya glass.

JJ

Mar 30, 2011 at 03:39 AM

Michael Gordon
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · How is Mamiya 645 35mm?

Thanks for the comments and images. I wonder if there is another medium format 35mm focal length solution with a longer registration distance to allow an adapter to the adapter.
I suspect it would be expensive.
Mike

Mar 30, 2011 at 08:26 AM


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