Mamiya 55mm 2.8 N for 645 questions

[snegron]

I have been looking at the Mamiya 55mm 2.8 N manual focus lens for my 645. Will this lens fit/be compatible with an old M645J that I have? I would like a wide angle lens, but not too wide. I would like to use it for everyday shooting of people and landscapes. Is this lens reliable? Will it fit on my older M645J body? Is it sharp? Does it sffer from flare? I would like to hear about experiences from anyone who has used this lens.

 

[servojohn]

I have been looking at the Mamiya 55mm 2.8 N manual focus lens for my 645. Will this lens fit/be compatible with an old M645J that I have? I would like a wide angle lens, but not too wide. I would like to use it for everyday shooting of people and landscapes. Is this lens reliable? Will it fit on my older M645J body? Is it sharp? Does it sffer from flare? I would like to hear about experiences from anyone who has used this lens.

Any manual focus Mamiya 645 lens will fit the J, the 645, the 645-1000S. Alledgedly the newer "N" versions are a bit better, but I have one of the older versions and like just fine. I haven't noticed any flare, but I also use a hood.
As a portrait lens, I'm not too sure-I do take some too, but find myself wanting the 150mm for the usual reason that you don't have to get as close to take a portrait. And with this camera, sticking in someone's face could be a little intimidating. :rolleyes:

Best regards,

John

Two, M645J
One, M645(80mm and 55mm lenses)

 

[thebanana]

I use the 45mm wide angle for landscapes and closer work, and love it.

 

[MattKing]

I really like my Mamiya M645 55mm 2.8 N lens. It is small, light and sharp. I tend to use it as a "normal" lens, in the same way I use a 35mm as a "normal" lens with my 35mm cameras.

The field of view is similar to the field of view I see normally, without a camera, using both eyes. It is wide enough to include context, while being "normal" enough to use for people (although not well suited to close ups).

As far as I can tell, all the Mamiya 645 lenses are reliable. I haven't observed problems with flare, and the Mamiya lens hood designed for use with it seems to be a good compromise between its ability to provide shade, and small size and weight.

As indicated above, it will fit on any manual focus Mamiya 645 body. Apparently, you can even use it on the AF bodies, although with limited metering functionality and stop down viewing.

My most recent gallery upload was shot using this lens:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Hope this helps.

Matt

 

[reellis67]

Many of the images on my personal web site were made with the 55mm. It is my most used lens, with the 80mm a close second. I've used it on the J, 645, and 1000S bodies and it works just fine with all of them.

- Randy

 

[Greg_E]

Works well with the extension tubes too.

 

[snegron]

Thanks for all the feedback! I went ahead and ordered one today through KEH. They had a pretty good deal on one in LN- condition. I was looking at the 55 with leaf shutter but it was out of my price range for now.

 

[snegron]

I just got my 55mm today. It appears to be sharp. I thought it would have a bit wider field of view than the 80mm, but they are almost the same. The difference is not as noticeable as it is with 50mm vs. 35mm in 35mm format though.

 

[Drew B.]

I just got my 55mm today. It appears to be sharp. I thought it would have a bit wider field of view than the 80mm, but they are almost the same. The difference is not as noticeable as it is with 50mm vs. 35mm in 35mm format though.

It can't be almost the same....! I had the 80 and the 50 shift...and they have/had very different fields of view.

 

[MattKing]

Your perception may also be affected by the fact that 35mm film (and viewfinders) have a much more rectangular format than the 6x4.5. Wide vistas appear even wider in that long, narrow 3:2 format.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I've got a M645J. To make this easy, if it is a Mamiya SEKOR-C lens mount, it will fit.

 

[snegron]

Your perception may also be affected by the fact that 35mm film (and viewfinders) have a much more rectangular format than the 6x4.5. Wide vistas appear even wider in that long, narrow 3:2 format.

I believe you are correct about this. This is probably why it is more noticeable with 35mm cameras than with 645.