Mamiya 645 Lens Question

[andrewmoodie]

I've got an old Mamiya 645J with some lenses.

Do those lenses fit on later Mamiya models?

Thanks.

Andrew

 

[wotalegend]

Hi Andrew,
I believe that all manual focus Mamiya 645 lenses will fit all manual focus bodies, of which I think the Pro TL was the last. But something changed with the AF bodies. I am fairly new to the world of M645, so maybe someone more knowledgeable will offer more detail.
Cheers, Peter.

 

[AdrianW]

All Mamiya 645 manual focus lenses are fully compatible with the entire series of manual focus bodies. They can even be used with the latest Mamiya 645 autofocus bodies with some limitations (manual focus, manual stopped down apertures).

 

[VaryaV]

All Mamiya 645 manual focus lenses are fully compatible with the entire series of manual focus bodies. They can even be used with the latest Mamiya 645 autofocus bodies with some limitations (manual focus, manual stopped down apertures).

Yes, I have always heard that too when I was researching new lenses to fit, as my M645 is my main MF camera.

 

[flatulent1]

It appears, from what I recently read on the Mamiya site, that the M645 lenses will fit on the AFD III. Now my question: do the AFD lenses work on the M645 bodies?

 

[MattKing]

It appears, from what I recently read on the Mamiya site, that the M645 lenses will fit on the AFD III. Now my question: do the AFD lenses work on the M645 bodies?

No.

 

[AdrianW]

It appears, from what I recently read on the Mamiya site, that the M645 lenses will fit on the AFD III. Now my question: do the AFD lenses work on the M645 bodies?

My understanding is that the AF lenses will fit on the manual focus bodies, but there is now way to close the aperture so you would be stuck shooting wide open.

 

[fotch]

All Mamiya 645 manual focus lenses are fully compatible with the entire series of manual focus bodies. They can even be used with the latest Mamiya 645 autofocus bodies with some limitations (manual focus, manual stopped down apertures).

That is nice to know.

 

[A_M_Johnson]

All Mamiya 645 manual focus lenses are fully compatible with the entire series of manual focus bodies. They can even be used with the latest Mamiya 645 autofocus bodies with some limitations (manual focus, manual stopped down apertures).

My understanding is that the AF lenses will fit on the manual focus bodies, but there is now way to close the aperture so you would be stuck shooting wide open.

I just picked up a M645 with lenses last night. I bought the kit for the 210mm f1.4 that came with it. I was assuming that the lens would work on my 645af (but in full manual of course). In this thread, one post says it will work with manual aperture settings and one says it will only work wide open.

Does anyone know which it is?

 

[wotalegend]

Don't know the answer to your question because I have a manual focus body. But that lens would be 210mm f4, not f1.4. That would be some lens with a maximum aperture diameter of 150mm.

 

[A_M_Johnson]

Haha you are right. I read it wrong and didn't think about it. I still need an answer though.

 

[brucemuir]

Mr Johnson,
A manual m645 lens will mount on the 645 AF series but you will need to use stop down metering and the focus assist light will work up to f/4-5.6 (forget exactly)
So...
your m645 210 f/4 will indeed work manually on your 645AF.
I am currently using a m645 80mm 1.9 on my 645afd.

It helps to find a "Type C" focussing screen when using manual focus lenses on these AF series bodies.

 

[PaulW128]

I'd like to ask a somewhat related question. I just recently put together a Mamiya 645 Pro Tl kit with an 80mm 2.8 . My next lens will probably be the 45mm 2.8 and I noticed that there appears to be several versions available; all 2.8, but one with a 77mm filter size and two with a 67mm filter size, designated as either "S" or "N".

Can I safely assume that the "N" version is newer? Can somebody shed some light as to which lens is "better" or what to look for when purchasing one?

Thank you all

Best
Paul

 

[brucemuir]

Paul,
Take this with a grain as I'm no expert on the Mamiya system, I have only recently started using a 645afd but have had an RZ for awhile.

This is some of what I have been able to put together
In Mamiya parlance "N" means "new" or a facsimile thereof.
These have better multi-coatings than earlier "C" designated lenses but also have a redesigned... some say cheaper (read plastic) build quality.
Some "N" may also have a completely redesigned optical formula but most have the same formula as the earlier versions.

I believe the "S" is a transition period that has the newer coatings but the old style metal barrel.
"A" usually means something akin to APO but not real APO corrected like the 140 Macro.

As far as which 45mm is better, well I couldn't tell you as I only have tried the 55 2.8AF and it is stellar.

Almost every Mamiya lens I've tried has been VERY good and save sample variation I doubt any of them are clunkers from what I've read.

In the RZ line the 50mm and the 65mm were updated and display better edge performance and better close distance performance than their predecessors. The Sekor Z 140 Macro was improved with a floating element design also.

If someone is an expert in the m645 line please correct anything or share what you know.

 

[PaulW128]

Bruce;

Thanks for the response, good to know. I had assumed I would eventually get a 150 and the 55 but after realizing the 55 is equivalent to a 35mm lens in 35mm format, decided that a 45mm would be a better choice.

But I think you're right, I doubt there are many clunkers, I'll just keep an eye out for a good deal.

Good luck with your 645afd!

Best
Paul

 

[brucemuir]

Thanks Paul.
Thats' what I am running now.
I have the 150 3.5AF, the standard 80 2.8AF and the 55AF.

I also just this weekend picked up the MF 80 1.9
I'm very pleased with preliminary results from that as well.

All of these are VERY solid performers (and I've shot a wide variety of Med Format gear) and although I wasn't expecting much from the auto focus I was pleasantly surprised.
It's no Canon 1V but for static subjects it very accurate and fast enough.

 

[MattKing]

The upside of the 55mm over the 45mm is that it shares the same filter and barrel size as the 80mm f/2.8, 110mm f/2.8, 150mm f/3.5 and 210mm f/4.0. This means that you can use the focus assist lever on all those lenses.

I originally had a 45mm with the 77mm filters. It was a good, sharp lens, but it was quite large. I've replaced it with a 45mm f/2.8 N lens - equally sharp, slightly better flare prevention, and considerably smaller.

 

[PaulW128]

Matt;

Thanks for that additional info

Best
Paul

 

[A_M_Johnson]

Mr Johnson,
A manual m645 lens will mount on the 645 AF series but you will need to use stop down metering and the focus assist light will work up to f/4-5.6 (forget exactly)
So...
your m645 210 f/4 will indeed work manually on your 645AF.
I am currently using a m645 80mm 1.9 on my 645afd.

It helps to find a "Type C" focussing screen when using manual focus lenses on these AF series bodies.

Thanks. I found the A/M switch needs to be on M of course. The focusing screen must not be that big of a deal because the lens works fine without it.