Mamiya 645 1000s - I need a wide zoom

[DavidClapp]

I must say I am completely taken with this little camera. It's a marvellous machine and I love to use it. I took this with the usual 80mm f2.8, but I have a hankering for a wider zoom.

Q. Which Mamiya zooms have a good reputation? I would like a wider angle zoom like a 55-110mm but a 75-150mm could also hit to mark but I am concerned about sharpness.

BTW this was taken using Ektar - I very interested in its colour render.

Many thanks.

David

 

[Malinku]

I recommend getting a 55mm or wider lens If you want to go with a Wide angle. It will not be as versitle But the primes are currently cheaper then the zoom lenses.
Both of the zooms are going to be good just depends on the focal length you like/want.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Primes are cheaper than zooms and sharper. Since you have the 80mm lens I strongly recommend the 50mm lens or shorter. You will not feel that a 55mm or 60mm will be wide enough to be useful compared to the 80mm lens.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Deleted

 

[DavidClapp]

Would you recommend the N over the C? I gather its more to do with size and filter size?

 

[MarkVII88]

I have been using a Mamiya 645 1000s for nearly 3 years now. Mine came with the 80mm f/2.8, which is a great lens. I also bought a 150mm f/3.5 N lens for the camera and I've been very impressed. This past year I started looking for a wider lens for my 645 setup. Ideally I wanted to find a 55mm f/2.8 because I heard they were very sharp and nice to use. However, 2 years into the COVID pandemic, prices for these lenses have gone up dramatically. I remember seeing 55mm f/2.8 for under $100 a couple years ago, but now you're lucky to get a good one for under $200, before shipping. Personally, that's outside my budget. Instead, I opted to go with the 55-110mm f/4.5 N zoom lens. I was able to find a nice one recently for about $90 ($120 after taxes and shipping). I know from other lens reviews that I am not going to get the same level of sharpness with this lens, and it's certainly not a fast lens. But for half the price, I doubt the lens will only be half as good. I have yet to use the lens, but I'm not expecting the world, just decent wider angle film images. Chances are I'll be using the lens more at f/8-f/11 than wide open all the time also. If you have any feedback on this lens, I'd gladly take it.