MAM 645 Wide angle lens dilemma.

[Glenn Mathison]

I would like to hear from any APUGGER who uses or has used any of the wide angle lenses available for the Mamiya 645 system. (Manual focus only)

I have a pair of 645's with 80, 150 & 210 lenses and for some time I have been considering a wide angle lens. The question is, which one?

Last August I travlled to NYC for work and dropped in to adorama, cash in hand, to purchase one of the three 45 mm lenses they had in their 2nd hand dept. I was very dissappointed to find all 3 had aperture mechanism faults, despite all being described as 8+ in quality.

Since that sad day (sniff) I have done more reading about the 35 and 55 lenses. The dilemma comes about because of the reviews I have read.

Summarised, I'd like the field of view of the 35, but they are very expensive on the used market here in Oz and reviews have varied from excellent to average, mainly with light falloff and edge sharpness issues.

The 45 rates a little better but my expereicne with the three at Adorama worried me about their mechanical reliability, especially on the used market.

The 55 rates, almost without exception, as excellent performer across the board and is the cheapest of the three, but I wonder if it will be wide enough...

So, any personal experiences and perhaps sample images anyone is willing to share? And, is anyone thinking of selling any one of the three?

Thanks

Glenn

 

[Adrian Twiss]

I own both the 45mm and 55mm C version of these lenses. I find the 45 more than wide enough for my photography (landscape and architecture). Both are well made metal bodied lenses and are both sharp and contrasty. The 55mm is a very nice general purpose wide angle. The only down side is that all my M645 lenses have a 58mm filter thread with the exception of the 45 which is (if memory serves) 77mm

 

[Ole]

I don't have a Mamiya, so I'm not really qualified to answer...

But I do have a Bronica ETRS 645, with 40, 75 and 150 lenses. In that case the price of new and used lenses (September 2001) was about the same, and the 40 cost the same as a 50 - so I went for a new 40mm. I haven't regretted it a moment. Light falloff is a fact of life (or optics) with any lens of this angle of view, regardless of format and construcion. A few have slightly less falloff, but the difference is not really that great.

 

[Nige]

I have 45mm and 55mm but haven't used them enough to have a favourite yet. The 58mm filter thread is nice on the 55 to match a 80/2.8 and 150/4 (no idea what the 210 uses) The 45 is a much bigger and heavier lens. The 55/80/150 combo makes for a nice lightish weight travel combo. I have recently picked up a 80/1.9 and 150/2.8 which use 67mm filters so I'm all over the place in filter sizes now! There have been a few 55s and one 45 (and there was a 35 somewhere but I can't remember where I saw that) in eBay recently (along with a host of other M645 stuff) so keep an eye on that (I won't bid against you! I'm done for 645 gear I think)

 

[photomc]

I have the 55, 80 and 210 for my 645 kit..all good solid performers. As has been stated it is really nice having the same filter size (58mm) but also the 55 is nice, and while I considered the 45 could not justify the cost difference(ok, got the 55 for a song and it is in nice condition), plus it is really the difference in a step back or two, though I am sure there are times the 45 would be much better. Any of the three you mention would be good..but personally I would go with the 45 or 55 and spend the money on film, or paper or better yet - buy a nice used 4x5 but then I'm biased that way.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I have the 45 and think it is a great lens. I would recommend holding out for an S or N version rather than the C version because it is much more compact and takes 67mm filters rather than 77mm. I have never had a problem with the lens and it is my most used. I sort of got it accidentally with a batch of stuff I was buying mostly to sell on eBay, so I didn't have to make a decision on price, and the 55 is somewhat cheaper from what I remember. I have noticed that over the last year or so, the price of the 45 has dropped quite a bit.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

If KEH ships to Australia, you might look there. I just checked them out and they have the Ns and Ss for right around $300 US. I have seen them cheaper on eBay, but you kind of take your chances there.

 

[Aggie]

I have a 45mm C version 45mm 654 lens just sitting in the closet. It was my most used lens on my old 645. It has three filters with it, a skylight, Yellow K8, and a polarizer. All filters are the 77mm size. That and it has a nice hard leather case for it. It is in mint condition, and works perfectly. Since I have my mamiya 7II, I never use that camera, so it all sits in the closet. If you want it, make me an offer.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I amend my recommendation to say that you should buy Aggie's lens. Under no circumstances should you consider anyone else's.

 

[Glenn Mathison]

I amend my recommendation to say that you should buy Aggie's lens. Under no circumstances should you consider anyone else's.

You may be right there Paul

Thanks Aggie, I will do some more research and PM you if I decide to go wih the 45.

Glenn

 

[Shmoo]

45mm or 55mm? Depends upon how you shoot, I think. I have the 55mm and love it...tack sharp. But I liken it to a 35mm lens on a 35mm SLR...not real wide. If you're comfortable with that type of lens, you'll like the 55mm. If you want wider, by all means go with the 45mm.

S

 

[bohica]

Glenn, It's been my experience with Adorama that they look at horse manure and see top grade fertilizer, cut their rating by half, if they say it's an 8, figure it's probably a 4.

 

[Canuck]

Many moons ago, I had a chance to play with a m645-1000S with a bag of lenses. The one that impressed me was the 35mm. I adored the wide view I got through that lens. If I were to get into one today, I'd go and find a 35mm for my first WA. YMMV ....

 

[MattKing]

I have both a 45mm C (uses 77mm filters) and a 55mm N lens. The 45mm is big, but I really like using it. The 55mm, in addition to using the same 58mm filters as my other lenses (80mm and 150mm) also has the same size focussing ring - so the focus assist lever I like to use fits on it. If price were no object, I would probably have gone 35mm and 55mm, and I wouldn't mind having the newer 45mm N (uses 67mm filter) but I am happy with what I have now.

 

[David Brown]

The 55mm is "roughly" equal to a 35mm on 35mm, and the 45mm is similar to a 28mm on 35mm. For me, that's the decision.

I have 55mm's for both of my 6x6 formats (Kowa and Mamiya) and I just acquired a M645. I would prefer the wider lens just for the difference, but it's strickly a personal preference.

I would also recommend KEH. I just bought two af lenses from them and they are both superb!

And if you don't make Aggie an offer ...

 

[Glenn Mathison]

Thanks for the extra comments. I have decided to go for the 45.

I did speak with Aggie, and her lens sounds perfect, but the value of USD / AUD is a problem. If I win lotto soon I will make Aggie an offer she can't refuse.

Just in case I don't win lotto, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a workable (pristine not required) 45 on the 2nd hand market here in Oz. I can be very patient when I need to be...

Glenn