Lenses for my cameras

TareqPhoto · Jul 21, 2011

Hi all,
Before i start my question i have to tell you a brief explanation that may help in answers but also will not lead to another long fire thread, the explanation is about my situation lately, i stopped to do photography and i am waiting the winter in my country to come so i can give film photography more go over digital, i will keep digital mostly for sports and travel when possible, also i feel upset to my life so only by getting more gear i can feel better not by taking more photos because i have a lot of photos already and only by buying more gear i shoot more for different application, even asking the question doesn't mean i don't know what to get but it just i should look at reviews and opinions to enlighten me more on any purchase i do then no regret or very minimum regret if happened.

Now my question is: for my two cameras i am looking to buy 1 lens of two for each of 2 cameras, tell me what will be your choice if you were in my place?

- Hasselblad 501cm:

Option 1: 80mm 2.8 CF
Option 2: 120mm f4 makro CF

- Mamiya RZ67 ProII:

Option 1: 90mm f3.5
Option 2: 110mm f2.8

I want to use one or any of those lenses for portraits and candid and general outdoors or even indoors.

stillsilver · Jul 21, 2011

For a portrait lens, I would go for something a little longer and mount it on the RZ. The 80/2.8 would be a good choice for the Hassy.

Mike

TareqPhoto · Jul 21, 2011

stillsilver said:
For a portrait lens, I would go for something a little longer and mount it on the RZ. The 80/2.8 would be a good choice for the Hassy.

Mike

Thanks for reply.

Well, i am also leaning more towards 80mm, but one person told me that 120 is the sharpest lens in Hasselblad line [i think he means film], so i am not sure if that will make me to choose it over 80mm or go with 80mm better.

For RZ, i have a long lens, 180mm it is really nice and i like it, but it is so long for most shots i want to do with candid or portraits outdoors, so that i think i need another option, i have 50mm, but this lens is incredibly wide for portraits as well.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 22, 2011

A 'normal' focal length lens is a great all purpose lens. You can do formal portraits with it if you are careful and watch the angles, and for candid work? Cartier-Bresson used a 50mm lens (normal for 35mm) for his Leica, and he did pretty well.

jeffreyg · Jul 22, 2011

It seems to me that your equipment choices are rather similar. Would you consider one setup ? Not knowing your subject interests I can offer an example: the Hasselblad with a 50mm FLE, a 150mm and a 2x. You would then be covered for say landscapes, a short tele for portraits and a longer lens -- the 150+2x. If you are looking for more macro type photography substitute extension tubes for the 2x. An extension tube in the 21-32mm range with the 150 is often used for portraits. The 50 FLE is a very nice lens and can get you in pretty close. Both take the same filters. You lose 2 stops with the 2x. I use a tripod most of the time so that isn't a problem. I also have an 80, 250 and 350 but most often when traveling especially by air I take the 50,150 and 2x to keep the weight down and for me that combination covers most situations.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Katie · Jul 22, 2011

RE: Hasselblad

I love my 50. I use my 120 for portrait work, but find myself keeping the 50 on for pretty much everything. I love the 50! It's amazingly sharp - and I have the 120 makro, which I have heard is supposed to be the sharpest! (I don't have any FLE lenses, though). The minimum focusing distance on the 50 makes it really convenient to use anywhere!

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Thomas Bertilsson said:
A 'normal' focal length lens is a great all purpose lens. You can do formal portraits with it if you are careful and watch the angles, and for candid work? Cartier-Bresson used a 50mm lens (normal for 35mm) for his Leica, and he did pretty well.

OK, but i didn't ask about Leica, i asked about Hasselblad or Mamiya either one.

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

jeffreyg said:
It seems to me that your equipment choices are rather similar. Would you consider one setup ? Not knowing your subject interests I can offer an example: the Hasselblad with a 50mm FLE, a 150mm and a 2x. You would then be covered for say landscapes, a short tele for portraits and a longer lens -- the 150+2x. If you are looking for more macro type photography substitute extension tubes for the 2x. An extension tube in the 21-32mm range with the 150 is often used for portraits. The 50 FLE is a very nice lens and can get you in pretty close. Both take the same filters. You lose 2 stops with the 2x. I use a tripod most of the time so that isn't a problem. I also have an 80, 250 and 350 but most often when traveling especially by air I take the 50,150 and 2x to keep the weight down and for me that combination covers most situations.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

I did't mention any of those lenses, for Hassy i put 80mm and 120mm.

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Katie said:
RE: Hasselblad

I love my 50. I use my 120 for portrait work, but find myself keeping the 50 on for pretty much everything. I love the 50! It's amazingly sharp - and I have the 120 makro, which I have heard is supposed to be the sharpest! (I don't have any FLE lenses, though). The minimum focusing distance on the 50 makes it really convenient to use anywhere!

For Hasselblad i have 60mm and 150mm, 150mm is nice for portraits but both the 60 and 150mm are not great for general, 120 is better for macro and portraits from what i see over 150, but i considered it as it is the sharpest but not necessary it is the must, 80 i see it the best focal length but i feel others like you asking to go with 50 or 150 or 250, so where is 80 then?

ruilourosa · Jul 22, 2011

you cannot put the question like that! the 120mm is a macro lens, a special purpose lens! supposedly a almost simmetrical design, trying to put the most quality in the near focus zone. Also it´s a bit longer than normal, almost in the portrait zone, although it´s micro contrast is not that appealing for portrait work, but it will do. also it´s bokeh it´s not the best in the hassy lineup.
the 80mm is a normal lens with normal perspective with good speed and in it´s normality is amazing (even the silver non t*) because it´s an old design (189x) easy to make and simply one of the best lenses i own.
People tend to minimize it´s quality and usefullness because it´s the cheaper lens of them all and is "just a normal lens"

aside, if you want something in between you have the excellent 100mm planar with almost zero distortion and high resolution at all settings.

cheers

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 22, 2011

TareqPhoto said:
OK, but i didn't ask about Leica, i asked about Hasselblad or Mamiya either one.

Yes, you did, and I was trying to answer your question like that too. The 'normal' focal length lens for the Hasselblad would be 80mm, and for the Mamiya it would be the 90mm. In my opinion, that's the best compromise.

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

ruilourosa said:
you cannot put the question like that! the 120mm is a macro lens, a special purpose lens! supposedly a almost simmetrical design, trying to put the most quality in the near focus zone. Also it´s a bit longer than normal, almost in the portrait zone, although it´s micro contrast is not that appealing for portrait work, but it will do. also it´s bokeh it´s not the best in the hassy lineup.
the 80mm is a normal lens with normal perspective with good speed and in it´s normality is amazing (even the silver non t*) because it´s an old design (189x) easy to make and simply one of the best lenses i own.
People tend to minimize it´s quality and usefullness because it´s the cheaper lens of them all and is "just a normal lens"

aside, if you want something in between you have the excellent 100mm planar with almost zero distortion and high resolution at all settings.

cheers

Hmmmm, in fact i am also not looking at that 120mm, and i hope that person who told me about it is not just trying to go with his opinion, because he said if i have to choose one lens then i will choose 120, i don't call he is doing any macro photos much to choose it only. And now you added 100mm, this is another option now.

Jeff Kubach · Jul 22, 2011

I would go for the 90 on the Mamiya also.

Jeff

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Yes, you did, and I was trying to answer your question like that too. The 'normal' focal length lens for the Hasselblad would be 80mm, and for the Mamiya it would be the 90mm. In my opinion, that's the best compromise.

Ok, for Hassy i am almost going with 80mm
For Mamiya, why 90mm, why not 110mm? why they made 110mm f2.8 and didn't make 90 f2.8?

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Jeff Kubach said:
I would go for the 90 on the Mamiya also.

Jeff

I see, so almost 2 votes for Mamiya 90mm then

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 22, 2011

TareqPhoto said:
Ok, for Hassy i am almost going with 80mm
For Mamiya, why 90mm, why not 110mm? why they made 110mm f2.8 and didn't make 90 f2.8?

I don't know why Mamiya made certain lenses. 110mm is slightly longer focal length than 'normal', but in the grand scheme of things, it might not matter that much. If you like the 110mm focal length, then that's what you should buy. I argue that the 90mm might be better for candids (which you wanted) because of its wider angle.

Just my opinion.

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

I was doing that math with Mamiya, i have 50mm and 180mm, if i got 90mm then i will have about 40mm from 50mm and 90mm from 180mm. If i got 110mm, i will have 60mm from 50mm and 70mm from 180mm, isn't it a big gap if i got with 90mm and with 110 i can be almost in middle of two lenses i have already?

tkamiya · Jul 22, 2011

I have been taking a lot of portraits and my favorite focal length has changed quite a bit during this time. My suggestion would be to wait until you have such favorite and buy that. It makes difference how you'd compose and what the image will ultimately look.

For 35mm, I use 105mm
For 645, I use 150mm
For your film size, it will be even longer focal length

That's my preference.

Jeff Kubach · Jul 22, 2011

I geuss I'm kinda weird, I'm a wide angle type of guy!

Jeff

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 22, 2011

TareqPhoto said:
I was doing that math with Mamiya, i have 50mm and 180mm, if i got 90mm then i will have about 40mm from 50mm and 90mm from 180mm. If i got 110mm, i will have 60mm from 50mm and 70mm from 180mm, isn't it a big gap if i got with 90mm and with 110 i can be almost in middle of two lenses i have already?

It depends on what you want.

You stated you wanted a good lens for candid shots. I recommended the 80mm normal for Hasselblad or 90mm for the Mamiya. If you think the 110mm is a better compromise, then that's what you should buy.
I merely pointed out that the 90mm might be better because of its slightly wider angle, serving the purpose of using it for candid shots.

The choice is still obviously yours, but since you're asking our opinion - I wouldn't base my choice of lenses I purchase based on what the focal length of my other lenses are. I would base it on whether the lens serves the purpose of why I'm buying a lens.

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Thomas Bertilsson said:
I don't know why Mamiya made certain lenses. 110mm is slightly longer focal length than 'normal', but in the grand scheme of things, it might not matter that much. If you like the 110mm focal length, then that's what you should buy. I argue that the 90mm might be better for candids (which you wanted) because of its wider angle.

Just my opinion.

I agree that 90mm is more normal than 110, but mostly Hasselblad or Mamiya trying to put 2.8 on their normal lenses or standard one, for example even with digital hasselblad or Mamiya, their 80mm both has 2.8 and both are the kit or normal lens, for that digital format which is 6x4.5 it should be another lens and not 80mm, such as 50mm or 60mm

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

tkamiya said:
I have been taking a lot of portraits and my favorite focal length has changed quite a bit during this time. My suggestion would be to wait until you have such favorite and buy that. It makes difference how you'd compose and what the image will ultimately look.

For 35mm, I use 105mm
For 645, I use 150mm
For your film size, it will be even longer focal length

That's my preference.

If i will go your path then i am covered already, has 150 for hasseblad [6x6] and 180mm for Mamiya [6x7], i don't see i want any longer, not that tight portraits i mean.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 22, 2011

TareqPhoto said:
I agree that 90mm is more normal than 110, but mostly Hasselblad or Mamiya trying to put 2.8 on their normal lenses or standard one, for example even with digital hasselblad or Mamiya, their 80mm both has 2.8 and both are the kit or normal lens, for that digital format which is 6x4.5 it should be another lens and not 80mm, such as 50mm or 60mm

Is the half stop wider aperture that important to you?

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Jeff Kubach said:
I geuss I'm kinda weird, I'm a wide angle type of guy!

Jeff

When i am out i prefer to go wider for architectures but when i include people or focus more on people then i want to go longer, so with wider lens i have to zoom by my feet to subjects, if i have longer lens then i have to zoom back by feet for another subjects.

Forget about Hasselblad as it is clear that 80mm will win the vote, but for Mamiya, i saw photos from both lenses 90/110, both were great and both give the look i am after.

TareqPhoto · Jul 22, 2011

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Is the half stop wider aperture that important to you?

Sometimes yes, for indoors, or so low light situations, not always making fast film high ISO as option.

Lenses for my cameras

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