RZ67 experts/users lens focal length choices

[rkmiec]

I just purchased a 140mm w macro and some extension tubes from keh.Hope they get here soon.Any ways i have a 110mm,180mm and a 250mm already.My question is,should i keep the 180mm or trade sell it for something else.I realize they are a dime a dozen but is it worth the extra weight to keep the 180 in my bag.I feel like the 140,180,250 are so close that the 140/250 combo should cover everything i need.Not much of a portrait person and i here the 140 is a great all around lens.I don't know,just looking for opinions.Also i only have two backs and the 180 could get me a third back or waist level finder or another accessory i could use.Thanks for looking.Now i need to save for a 65mm and i would be set.

 

[segedi]

See if you can trade it for what you want. And enjoy that macro and tubes. Those are next on my list...

 

[EdSawyer]

The 140 M/L-A is sharper/better than the 180, yes. the 180 has some really nice bokeh, though (at least the W-N that I had for a while did). And, as mentioned, they are so silly cheap it's hard to justify selling it. (A $2k lens selling for something like $100-150 is crazy cheap IMHO.).

Also, I think 2 backs is plenty for most uses. I have 4 but rarely use more than 1 or 2 at a time.

The 65 M/L-A is a fantastic lens, definitely worth having. among the sharpest in the RZ lineup I think. the 50 ULD is also fantastic. I'd go for one or both of those next.

-Ed

WLF is handy, but those are usually cheaper than the 180/4.5.

 

[rkmiec]

Thanks for advice.
Ed,I purchased the W version,can I still expect great results from it or is it worth the extra 200+ dollars to get the mla version.

 

[polyglot]

M/L-A versions are absolutely worth the difference IMHO. No doubt you'll get wonderful results from it if you're good with the lighting and composition but you'll find better corner sharpness from the M-LA, especially at high magnification.

I like my 180, mostly for the bokeh but suspect if I had a 210APO or 250APO it would be out the door. I guess you'll know soon enough - just see how often you actually use it.

I love my 65/4 M-LA; it's better than the non-ULD 50 I had (ewwww) but I don't think it's as sharp as the 110/2.8 and it has pronounced nisen bokeh. I'd like the 140 for macro since I find that the 65 and 110 start to get quite soft at full bellows extension but I think I'll be getting a 37 or 350APO next.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Go for the 50 or the 65.

Jeff

 

[EdSawyer]

as mentioned the M/L-A versions are an upgrade but the normal W versions are usually quite good also. I had a nice copy of the non-ULD 50 for example, and it was quite good (despite some folks claims to the contrary). the 50ULD is better, though. So I switched. I'd say keep the version you have and enjoy it for a while, and only consider upgrading if you find flaws with the one you have.

I think the 65 L/A is sharper than the 110 for the most part. the 110 does have very nice bokeh though.

i lucked into a near mint 140 M/L-A that had a problem with the floating element, for only $59. About $20 in parts from mamiya, and a DIY repair on a stripped gear, and it's good as new.

I did part with my 180 W-N when I got a 210 and 250 APO, but later reacquired a version of it (the Short barrel version) for use on the TS adapter.

All the APOs are fantastic, really top shelf. I have MTFs posted of them from old mamiya literature at www.edsawyer.com/lenstests/ - have a look.

The 350 APO is excellent. Make sure to get the support bracket if you can, it's pretty key in the use of that lens. It can be used w/o it but requires manual support of the lens. Kind of unwieldy to handhold that way.

the 37 is excellent, very good across almost the entire frame. There's a tiny bit of lateral color in the extreme corners but that is to be expected. At it's best though, in the center 60% of the frame, it's on par with the ULD 50. It's a fun lens, esp. for use as a walkaround lens. Some fun shots to be had with that.

-Ed

 

[sirimiri]

Ed, did you ever score that 500 APO you sought? Hi, by the way, on a different forum from where we are used to chatting ;-)

RK, though it's not "critical sharpness" per se, I've been using the 50 ULD with some racked out bellows, to get some funky closeups of flowers and such, and the results aren't bad. A 140 macro would be nice, as I do miss the insane sharpness that Mamiya rangefinder lenses offer.

 

[EdSawyer]

I did get a 500 APO, yes. Haven't used it much but hopefully more this summer. Maybe this weekend (vintage car races) - we'll see. (I recall from the other forum, yes. ;-)

the 50 ULD with the floating element is better than some others at closeups. Basically the floating element on these lenses is designed to improve close-up performance.

 

[rkmiec]

Thanks guys,my 140mm should be here tomorrow along with the two extension tubes and a second back.I am going to keep the 180mm just because it is so cheap and why not keep it around.Wish i could afford all the lenses mentioned but not right now.My next will be the 65 mla and that will have to keep me happy for awhile.Thanks for all the advice,hopefully i will have some stuff posted soon.