Question about the Zenzanon MC 105mm f/3.5 for ETRS(i)

[macfred]

I have a Bronica ETRSi with 50mm PE and 75mm PE lenses -
I recently saw a good offering for a mint condition Zenzanon MC 105mm f/3.5 (not the macro version) -
I'm attracted by the minimum focussing distance (about 0.6 meters). This should be nice for doing portrait photographs.
Surprisingly there are little or no informations about this lens on the web. I couldn't find any sample images.
Is there anyone who owns this lens and likes to share his experiences especially with this lens.
I know there is a 150mm f/3.5 (MC and PE versions - both with good reputation) but i don't like it's minimum focussing distance and I'm not interested in buying one at the moment.

 

[moto-uno]

Sorry to say that the only 105 lens I have for mine is the macro and although it obviously focuses much closer it's also one beast of a lens , and as you mention
there's not much info on that lens . Good luck , and should you buy it , show us some pics . Peter

 

[macfred]

Thank you Peter - I'll do !
--

Anyone else here ?

 

[macfred]

What I found so far ...

1. from a thread at mf.lenses forums (I think they tried it on a dig.... crop camera) : http://forum.mflenses.com/zenzanon-3-5-105-mc-t69250.html
2. from a discussion in a flickr group for Bronica ETRs(i) - unfortunately a little small ... : https://www.flickr.com/photos/40296353@N02/4553523470/

 

[flavio81]

I have a Bronica ETRSi with 50mm PE and 75mm PE lenses -
I recently saw a good offering for a mint condition Zenzanon MC 105mm f/3.5 (not the macro version) -
I'm attracted by the minimum focussing distance (about 0.6 meters). This should be nice for doing portrait photographs.
Surprisingly there are little or no informations about this lens on the web. I couldn't find any sample images.
Is there anyone who owns this lens and likes to share his experiences especially with this lens.
I know there is a 150mm f/3.5 (MC and PE versions - both with good reputation) but i don't like it's minimum focussing distance and I'm not interested in buying one at the moment.

Replying here to be useful for people who is using the "search" function.

I own this lens, as well as other zenzanon. It's an excellent lens with no apparent flaws. However, it's substantially bigger and heavier than the typical 75/2.8 lenses (any version).

Bokeh is superb, as well.

There are no bad or mediocre Zenzanon lenses, really. But the very first MC lenses, the ones with a silver front ring, don't have the best possible coatings. They say "MC" but only some surfaces are multicoated. Otherwise they're fine and well built.

Even the 150/4 MC, maligned in some forums, is a totally good lens.

 

[wiltw]

Shooting ANY 'portrait' from too close of a camera position is simply inviting induced perspective distortion of the portait sitter's face! the best FL for the ETRS for headshots is 180mm lens, although 150mm is usable for anything other than headshots.

 

[moto-uno]

And still we wait for pictures taken with this lens . Peter

 

[wiltw]

The Zenzanon 105mm f/3.5 MC is a non-macro. The Zenzanon 100mm f/4 MC is a macro lens.

 

[macfred]

And still we wait for pictures taken with this lens . Peter

Oh, I forgot ...

Here is a scanned negative I could find in a hurry - there should be more ...

Bronica ETRSi - Zenzanon f/3.5 105mm (@f/4) - FUJI Pro 160NS

 

[moto-uno]

And let's not forget the F4.5 , 105mm macro (true 1:1) lens , one heavy beast of a lens . Peter

 

[macfred]

I should use the Zenzanon MC f/3.5 105mm more often. It's s a nice little lens and I like it.
However, I suffer from a more widespread disease called GAS.
I own more cameras than I can use on a regular basis. Also, I am getting more lazy in my old age and almost only use my Rolleiflex.

 

[flavio81]

And let's not forget the F4.5 , 105mm macro (true 1:1) lens , one heavy beast of a lens . Peter

Yes... Just for clarification there are four lenses in this focal range, in chronological order:

1. Zenzanon MC 105 3.5
2. Zenzanon E 100mm f4 (Macro)
3. Zenzanon PE 100mm f4 (Macro, optically the same as the former)
4. Zenzanon PE 105mm f4.5 (True macro)