Mamiya RB 140mm Macro (hats off to...)

[philosomatographer]

That's a good shot!
...

Interestingly, the manual for the RB67 ProS states that the 127mm lens is the only one that will not have vignetting when the no. 1 and 2 tubes are stacked together, but I can't say that I've ever seen it in other lenses.

Thanks! And yes, that may be so, but the 127mm with two tubes is going to have some pretty bad image quality in the corners! More of a stop-gap solution in my opinion.

 

[philosomatographer]

After more than two years, I have to say that the 140mm Macro is still my favourite lens for this camera. The print quality is just exquisite, in large prints (such as this one) detail is resolved right to grain level in the corners.

Much as I've dabbled in smaller formats recently - and envy the quickness of shooting - there is still something really special about the quality of the prints from 6x7cm monochrome film. I have started to dabble in 4x5in also, but on that end of the scale, one cannot grab a snapshot like this easily when an opportunity presents itself. I guess this beast of a camera really might be the perfect all-round camera

(Ilford HP5+ [6x7cm], 140mm at f/8, 12x16in analogue hand print)​

 

[philosomatographer]

This week-end, I printed the following two images taken through the 140 Macro. It was during a Sunshower ("Jakkals trou met wolf se vrou") which are always lovely events to photograph, due to the very special quality of the light:

The 140 Macro is a very high-contrast lens, but I enjoy the exceptionally gentle roll-off of the highlights. Both captured on Ilford FP4+ (Mamiya RB67 Professional).

 

[Danielle]

I think Im bumping up an older thread here, sorry.

Wow, maybe I really should hunt down one of those macro lenses at some stage. Now that I've actually heard something about them. All I have at the moment on my pro sd is the 127mm, which I might add has done me great service and will continue to.

 

[markbarendt]

Danielle,

There is more than one way to skin this cat and it important since the difference in focal length is so small.

First might be an extension tube or even two; these allow macro use, closer focus, on any lens in this system.

Second is a shorter lens which can focus closer normally, if that's what your really looking for.

Given that all the lenes available for this system with the possible exception of the 50 are really great; my thought is that a such a small change, 127 to 140, will not result in a truly meaningful difference.

 

[philosomatographer]

I think Im bumping up an older thread here, sorry.

Wow, maybe I really should hunt down one of those macro lenses at some stage. Now that I've actually heard something about them. All I have at the moment on my pro sd is the 127mm, which I might add has done me great service and will continue to.

I have to say, if your only lens is the 127, you'd have a lot more fun getting one of the excellent wide-angle lenses - or even the 37mm fisheye I also have the 127mm, and the 140 Macro buys you only a relatively small mount of quality improvement for most general photography (not really visible unless you're really precise with your technique), and at f/4.5 is quite a bit slower (less scope for shallow depth-of-field).

If, however, you value taking perfect images of very close-up subjects, the 140mm Macro is a wonderful tool - and, of course, I love mine for all-round general use. The out-of-focus rendition and contrast is just perfect to my eyes.

 

[Danielle]

Oh, I plan in getting a 50mm and possibly a telephoto of some description too. I am a fan of macro's though, but its a lens I kinda was dismissing. I do fine art photography of various descriptions mainly. I've noticed these things are a damn lot cheaper than they used to be, time to slowly add to my collection I think. Thanks for your input though.

Cheers to the mamiya rb love. *damn that camera is my baby even with only one lens*

 

[paul ron]

Those examples of the 140mm macro are beautiful.

The nice thing about the RB, the bellows are already 43mm over extended so macro can be achieved with almost any lens, a nice feature.

In all the years I have been reparing n using RBs I have never seen seaparation till recently when a friend gave me an old 180mm. I thought people were nuts posting stories about that but I am hearing more of this lately. I guess these lenses are well into their 30th n 40th year, perhaps not stored properly, pros have converted so these old ladies sit in closets n garages til they hit the auctions; time to start seeing the effects of age?

Getting old really sucks!... but these old ladies still know how to do their job.


.

 

[philosomatographer]

Those examples of the 140mm macro are beautiful.

Thank you, Paul!

 

[Danielle]

I'll second that too, those are beautiful shots.

 

[Ric Trexell]

Flowers, flowers, flowers and old ships. Don't no body take pictures of purty gals any more? Don't you knows dat da RB on that camera stands for 'real beauties' ? Now take that fancy pants lense of yours and go take some good looking female types. Ifan I wants to sez purty flowers, I can gos to da purty flower shop. Whats da mattr, youse guys getin old or sumpten? My o'my.

 

[markbarendt]

Flowers, flowers, flowers and old ships. Don't no body take pictures of purty gals any more? Don't you knows dat da RB on that camera stands for 'real beauties' ? Now take that fancy pants lense of yours and go take some good looking female types. Ifan I wants to sez purty flowers, I can gos to da purty flower shop. Whats da mattr, youse guys getin old or sumpten? My o'my.

We're talking about the 140mm not the 150SF, that's why there's no girls, sheesh...

 

[lxdude]

Flowers, flowers, flowers and old ships. Don't no body take pictures of purty gals any more? Don't you knows dat da RB on that camera stands for 'real beauties' ? Now take that fancy pants lense of yours and go take some good looking female types. Ifan I wants to sez purty flowers, I can gos to da purty flower shop. Whats da mattr, youse guys getin old or sumpten? My o'my.

Well out heres, if'n we wants ta see some purty gal types, dey's walkin' along da street and dey ain't all bundled up cuz dis ain't Wisconsin. And if dat ain't enuf, dere's always da beach!

 

[Ric Trexell]

Here is what I'ze talkin abouts...sorry, the one in black just got married, but the other is a nice Christian gal and single.
Taken with a Mamiya RB67 Pro S with a 127mm lense and one Pro Master strobe with umbrella.

 

[MattKing]

All of the RB lenses I've used (up to 180mm) work well with close-focus work, as long as maintaining flat-field reproduction isn't your primary concern.

The 140mm macro lens adds the flat-field reproduction strength as well.

The 140mm for the orchid, and the the 180mm for the leaves and fungi:

 

[Geezer G]

The 140 is next on my purchase list and with luck, I'll have one this afternoon. I currently own the 50, 90, 127, 150 and 180--and each gets used regularly. I want the macro to pair with the 50 and 90 for back packing as that will give me a fairly versitile spread. I mostly shoot in black and white and until I find a printer or set up a darkroom, am having my negatives scanned. People are amazed at the difference in quality of the film images over digital. I did not realize that I didn't get closer focusing with the 140, but since it's the flatter field I'm wanting it for, that's not an issue.

Interesting thread with lots of great photos and information! Thanks!

 

[Pluck]

Hi there !

My very first post here, I found your forum because I was looking for information on this lens (quite difficult to find by the way...)
I was given this lens not long ago, shutter did not work and the owner wasn't bothered to ask for a repair quotation.
The quotation ended up at 190€ and I started thinking it was not worth the money to do it. Thanks to philosomatographer and his photos I now think quite the opposite and cannot wait to have it repaired ! (on top of that it looks brand new...)

So thanks a LOT for the time you took to give your impressions and the wonderful photos you shared.

Benoit - France.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Is this thread still alive? It is a fantastic read.

I took my RB67 Pro SD out today with the 140macro and the extension tube no.1, to photograph some interesting weeds (not much else around at the moment!) and maybe do a couple of landscape shots.

I hope the close ups turn out, as they looked magnificent in the ground glass. But I was surprised that I just couldn't focus for landscapes. Philosomatographer started this thread saying the 140 was also great for landscapes, but I just got a blur. Is this because I had the extension tube on?

 

[MattKing]

Is this thread still alive? It is a fantastic read.

I took my RB67 Pro SD out today with the 140macro and the extension tube no.1, to photograph some interesting weeds (not much else around at the moment!) and maybe do a couple of landscape shots.

I hope the close ups turn out, as they looked magnificent in the ground glass. But I was surprised that I just couldn't focus for landscapes. Philosomatographer started this thread saying the 140 was also great for landscapes, but I just got a blur. Is this because I had the extension tube on?

Yep - the extension tube means you can only do close-up work.

Are you aware you can get down to about 1/2 life size if you use the lens without any extension tube?

EDIT: that should be 1/3 life size

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Quick response there, Matt. Many thanks. Glad to know there is probably nothing wrong with my set up.

Yes, I noticed how useful this lens can be without the tube. However, I have the 90mm K/L and the 180mm K/L, so really got this 140mm for macro work. I noticed that it was very stiff trying to lock on to the body, not at all as smooth as the other lenses. But when I put the tube on first, which was very smooth, the 140 lens fitted the extension tube very smoothly too. So, the tube makes it a lot easier to get on and off.

I was was just wondering if I could have the best of both worlds - ease of use, and the occasional landscape shot thrown in when I'm not carrying the other lenses. Now I know! Thanks again.

 

[Algo después]

Thanks for the thread...

BTW, Leibovitz dixit:

For portraits, she has said she likes to use the 55mm (which is the first lens she owned) and 140mm on the Mamiya (the equivalent of 70mm in 35mm photography). She has called the Sekor 140mm F4.5 L/A Macro her favorite lens to use.

I enjoyed the sense of spontaneity I got from the 35mm digital camera, but after a while I missed the formality of the Mamiya 140mm lens. It’s a beautiful lens that I used to to take some of my favorite pictures. It is a long lens but you can make it feel a little wide if you want to. It’s similar to the 55mm on the Minolta. It is a graceful portrait lens.

https://www.focale22.com/plaquettes/plaquette18.pdf

 

[Arthurwg]

Algo thanks for posting.