Mamiya lens 300mm f/5.6

tommychan · Nov 15, 2010

Hi, am considering this lens for my mamiya 645 super. Could any one who have this lens give some comment/advices:
a) is this hand-holdable or must be using either the monopod or tripod for photo taking?
b) is F/5.6 capable of getting some good "bokeh" effect? Any images sample will be greatly appreciated.
c) what does the ULD stands for? Are there different versions of this lens other than AF one?
d) as compared to the 200mm APO lens (the price is much higher), which one will you guys recommend? Other than the focal length different, is this justified for the high price?

Currently am using the 45mm f/2.8, 80mm f/2.8, 150mm lens f/3.5

As usual, thanks for all the comments/feeback.

2F/2F · Nov 15, 2010

300 is a great focal length for me on 645. I do not have this lens. I have only borrowed it from a friend. I don't think it was "ULD" ("ultra low dispersion" glass), but I was very happy. I did hand hold it a few times, just for kicks. I'd say it is possible if you can swing fast enough shutter speeds, but of course you will get better results across the board with a tripod. I shot it at '500 and '1000 only, f/8 and f/5.6, and got sharp enough pix for myself. I am sure it is easier to hand hold than the 200mm f/2.8, even though it is a longer focal length.

The 200mm f/4 is excellent and dirt cheap, and can definitely be hand held easily.

tommychan · Nov 15, 2010

Hi, thanks for the quick response.

Just wondering is there a 200mm f/4 for mamiya 645? Have seen a 210mm f/4 though.

MattKing · Nov 15, 2010

I have the 210mm f/4 and it is a very nice lens.

It isn't particularly large, and shares the same filter size (58mm) as most of the rest of my lenses.

The basic 300mm lens (non ULD?) is a bit bigger, but strangely a bit lighter as well.

Neither of them offers a particularly close minimum distance, so if you like to shoot really tight head facial portraits, you will need an extension tube.

I attach a useful Mamiya chart, from 2005, which lists the details of a number of lenses. In addition, here are some pictures too:

tommychan · Nov 15, 2010

Hi, thanks for the useful chart of Mamiya lens.

2F/2F · Nov 16, 2010

Yes, I made a slip, since I was talking about the 200 2.8 as well. I was talking about the 210.

tommychan · Nov 16, 2010

No problem at all.

Guess this lens is not very popular among the 645 users here.

2F/2F · Nov 16, 2010

I don't know if it is popular, but it is very good, and I like it a lot, for one! You sure can't beat them for the prices they are going for.

Pumalite · Nov 17, 2010

If you want a lens for portraits; you could use the 150mm f/3.5

tommychan · Nov 18, 2010

Usually I will use the 150mm for portrait shots, but at times just want to have it a bit longer.

Mamiya lens 300mm f/5.6

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