MAMIYA C-33 135 mm all around walkabout lens?

anthonym3 · Jan 10, 2020

Any opinions about the 135 being a good all around lens on C-33? I will be doing landscape and some close up macro work as well as candid portraits of my family.

Neil Grant · Jan 10, 2020

...depends on what you are interested in making photographs of. It's a narrow angle lens - so a bit more specialised than either of the standard lenses, namely 80 or 105mm. Around these parts recommendations for Mamiya TLR lenses frequently come as suggestions for set of 2 or 3 that work well together (nothing wrong with that) So, in your case you may well hear 65 and 135mm as a walkaround 'pair'.

pbromaghin · Jan 10, 2020

The 135 has become my favorite lens. It's very sharp and provides more separation of subject from background than the 80. But then, I've never liked wide angle lenses and almost never use the high-demand and pricey 55 that so many others rave about. With its view being about like an 80mm on a 35mm camera, it gets in just a bit closer while walking around than I might otherwise be comfortable doing.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/chalk-one.57618/
https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/thistle-san-diego-botanical-gardens.56126/

Luckless · Jan 10, 2020

What do you shoot, and how do you look at the world for your photographs?

I frequently have just my 250mm on my C330 as my 'walk around' kit, as I typically focus very tightly on a specific subject/element, and allow the rest of the scene to mostly fall where it will.

Widest lens I currently have on hand for that collection is my 80mm, which I love using fairly wide open as a walk around lens for other times.

While I do own a 135, it is of the original model and doesn't work with my C330s sadly. On the fence about getting a C220 for it, or getting a newer 135... Or maybe both? But from playing with it I find it to be a perfectly workable lens as far as framing goes. I could see myself making many interesting photos that I'm happy with, but to me it isn't so amazing as to demand I get one working.

All that said, I'm sure at least a few in here will pop in to say that the 65mm is the only lens you really need.

So in short: Take all of our comments with a heavy grain of salt. They might not apply much for your own work.

MattKing · Jan 10, 2020

It would be too long for me.
But the 65mm and 135mm tandem that I have in the bag makes for a great walk around two lens kit.

mrosenlof · Jan 10, 2020

The 135mm was the lens I bought with my first c330f. I am not sure I would call it a walking around lens. for me at least it was best with the camera bolted to a tripod. It's a lens I like very much.

Paul Howell · Jan 11, 2020

When I had a C33 many years ago I found that I preferred the 105 as the standard lens. With my Kowa I use the 120 macro as a standard lens, yet no issue with the Yashica 124 with a 80mm.

ic-racer · Jan 11, 2020

On my Rolleiflex 6x6 my favorite lens is the 50mm, followed by the 40mm.

benjiboy · Jan 12, 2020

I.M.O the 80mm f2.8 lens is the best and most versatile"walkaround" lens for the Mamiya C TLR's., and I owned a Mamiya C330F and all the lenses for about thirty years.

Deleted member 88956 · Jan 13, 2020

I'd say, go start walking with it long enough to see results after the on scene handling experience. Then just put 80 on and do the same. But just one roll of film is not going to cut it, more like 3-4 rolls with each lens. Compare and decide. The difference between 80 and 135 is large enough to spot any handling peculiarities from one to another. Images will also differ sufficiently to find your preference.

There are people who use wide and wider for every day of shooting, there are some with teles and little else, then there is the big rest who stick to the general idea of using standard lens for same. Unlike some hats, this is not one size fits all.

bernard_L · Jan 13, 2020

Carry a monopod, at least. And shoot 400ISO film.

Ian Grant · Jan 13, 2020

benjiboy said:
I.M.O the 80mm f2.8 lens is the best and most versatile"walkaround" lens for the Mamiya C TLR's., and I owned a Mamiya C330F and all the lenses for about thirty years.

I agree, it was my most used C33 lens along with a 55mm, I'd find a 135mm lens too long except for occasional use.

Ian

markjwyatt · Jan 13, 2020

The 330f and 220f used to be my main cameras for a long time. I used the 80mm and 55mm more, sometimes a 180mm. If I were to buy a fourth lens (I plan to start using the Mamiyas more) I would probably get the 135.

Grim Tuesday · Jan 13, 2020

bernard_L said:
Carry a monopod, at least. And shoot 400ISO film.

This is good advice. The difference in sharpness between Hasselblad and Mamiya TLR lenses is probably less than what is caused by slow shutter speeds and camera movement.

MAMIYA C-33 135 mm all around walkabout lens?

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