I have started and stopped medium format a few times over the years -- This time I want to try something smaller so I'm looking 645. Currrently I'm stuck between the Bronicas and the manual focus Mamiyas.
I'm mostly just interested in having a 55mm and 80mm as my focal lengths. Maaaaybe a 150mm. So some good information about that would probably make my mind up for me.
So based on that which system would you lean? (The 80 1.9 on Mamiya is obviously very neat but I'm not as interested in shallow DOF )
Thanks a bunch
@L_E_Miller do not ask for opinions, that's useless. People's preference and standards for quality are all over the map, and they will simply recommend what they have. Ask for full-sized scans of negatives shot with both lenses wide open. Only wide open.
I'm going to differ on this, because it will result in arguing about how many pixels can dance on the head of a pin.
Both camera systems offer lenses of very high, professional level quality that easily fulfilled the requirements of working professional photographers for years.
The quality of your results will depend not on the tiny differences between the optical qualities of the lenses when new, but rather on:
1) condition of the lenses available to you now; and
2) factors like ergonomics, filter size consistency, focusing throw differences, fill flash capabilities, overall system capabilities, local availability of used stock, availability of service.
When it comes to lens recommendations based on the image they render, only high quality samples can answer that. Someone thinks "busy bokeh" while other will love it. Some say "too much vignetting" while others will love it, and so on.
I think you are reading "better" in the thread title as referencing just the images they render - the optical qualities of the lenses. I'm reading the question as being a bit more expansive.
It is hard to ignore the topic..."Who's got the better 55mm and 80mm?"
Where would you put characteristics like lens size, filter size consistency, length of focus throw, availability of mechanical focus aids, general ergonomics, etc., etc.?
They all form a large part of my valuations of "best" - far more than small differences in MTF performance.
This is what I mean about the question being expansive.
Precisely why I started with the suggesion of OTHER consideration than lens IQ...but the discussion started with lens IQ (contrary to your interpretation of the title, "thread title as referencing just the images they render - the optical qualities of the lenses")
I guess we read the initial question differently.
I think we both understand that camera selection is not merely the lens. I simply see the title as placing lens IQ as the FIRST criteria, and the only one apparently identified by OP in entering that in the title. We both see selection criteria as really a more inclusive set of criteria than lens IQ alone.
'better' does need more detail from OP as to what qualities make a lens 'better'
OTOH, there is NO 'better 80mm or 55mm', as Bronica has no lenses at those two FL (as already pointed out by another reply)
I think we need clarification from the OP what "best" they are looking for, because there is no IQ reference in the title or the first post, and references in the first post to the "system" and the 80mm f/1.9 lens being "neat" don't make it any clearer.
I think we both understand that camera selection is not merely the lens. I simply see the title as placing lens IQ as the FIRST criteria, and the only one apparently identified by OP in entering that in the title. We both see selection criteria as really a more inclusive set of criteria than lens IQ alone. But I see no 'disagreement' between us.
Splitting hairs. 75mm fills the same niche as 80mm, more or less.
A 50mm + 75mm pair is, together, enough different from a 50mm + 80mm pair that it is worth paying attention to.
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