Which Mamiya 645 lens to get?

mattk · Mar 21, 2009

I have the 80mm N/L 2.8 (leaf shutter lens)--I adore the bokeh. HP5 rated at 800 and natural indoor light is a fabulous combination. The 80 used to be on my camera full time--then I picked up the 55mm and it seems to let me compose more quickly. I have found all my 645 lenses very sharp. All this talk of the 210 makes me want to run some more film thru it.

23mjm · Mar 21, 2009

Well i am a day late and a dollar short---BUT I have a 45mmC, 80mmf/1.9C and 150mmf/3.5C. Those three have worked very well for years and I really haven't wanted any other glassware for my 645. As far as the camera I love it--I think if I could have only one camera the Mamiya 645 would be it, it's a great compromise between size, speed, and picture quality.

Ann M · Mar 22, 2009

Here's another vote for the 120 macro - it's a lovely lens and I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone thinking of buying one!

Christopher Walrath · Mar 22, 2009

I had the 45 2.8, the 80 2.8, the 150 3.5 and the 210 4.0 'C' lenses. I would vote for the 45 but that's gonna set you back a bit. Get the 80 and let them get their feet wet and then branch out from the norm on their own. My $.02

Oh, and at Dead Link Removed I wrote a review on the Sekor lenses for the 645's last year. It might help.

k_jupiter · Mar 22, 2009

Christopher Walrath said:
I had the 45 2.8, the 80 2.8, the 150 3.5 and the 210 4.0 'C' lenses. I would vote for the 45 but that's gonna set you back a bit. Get the 80 and let them get their feet wet and then branch out from the norm on their own. My $.02

Oh, and at Dead Link Removed I wrote a review on the Sekor lenses for the 645's last year. It might help.

Christopher,

I am sorry I didn't make it clear. This thread was about getting advice on what lenses to get to build a system for my somewhat unusual 13 YO daughter. These are the lenses I have wound up with based upon the advice given and the economics of used lens. The 80/f2.8 was the cheapest, then the 150/f4.0 (from a APUG subscriber) and I forked over a bit more for the 45mm. But what a nice lens.

My last post was a thank you for all that gave advice, something that many do not do on this forum.

tim in san jose

Nige · Mar 23, 2009

hi Tim, keep you eye out for a 55mm for her (assuming she uses what you've already bought her)... for the right price it's IMO a great addition and the 58mm filter thread matches the 80 & 150. I have both the 80/1.9 and 150/2.8's but leave them at home and take 55/2.8 80/2.8 & 150/4 (along with the 45/2.8). I like the 45 but none of my filters fit it which is a tad annoying at times!

Also, get a spare battery so you have one handy before you need it... you won't buy one at a corner store!

k_jupiter · Mar 23, 2009

Nige said:
hi Tim, keep you eye out for a 55mm for her (assuming she uses what you've already bought her)... for the right price it's IMO a great addition and the 58mm filter thread matches the 80 & 150. I have both the 80/1.9 and 150/2.8's but leave them at home and take 55/2.8 80/2.8 & 150/4 (along with the 45/2.8). I like the 45 but none of my filters fit it which is a tad annoying at times!

Also, get a spare battery so you have one handy before you need it... you won't buy one at a corner store!

Different filter sizes can be a PITB but these just happen to be 77mm, same as the standard rb67 lens. I only carry two filters at any one time anyway, the red and the yellow for black and white work. Could possibly get away with just the yellow.

Nice thing about the M645 is not having to carry a meter. Thanks for the advice on the battery.

tim in san jose

borisdeswan · Apr 29, 2009

I'm fortunate to own every lens from 35 to 300 in the 645 mamiya lineup. The one I use the least is probably the 80 mm. If I had to pair it down to just one lens I'd go with the 55mm. If you can allow for 2 lenses then maybe the 55mm.2.8 and the 150mm. 3.5 would be a great value.Why? Because they are extremely inexpensive but they compare favourably to any other glass made. I hope that helps.

nicefor88 · May 3, 2009

Any 80mm that give a natural effect.

aoresteen · May 4, 2009

I have the 35mm, 55mm, 80mm f/1.9, 110mm, and 145mm SF. The 35mm, 55mm, and the 110mm make a great set. The next lens on my list to get is the 210mm.

aoresteen · May 4, 2009

borisdeswan said:
I'm fortunate to own every lens from 35 to 300 in the 645 mamiya lineup. ....

I've been thinking about the 300mm f/2.8 APO. How do you like it? Is it worth the $$?

I have a 300mm f/4 Pentacon that I use and it is quite good but more speed and auto diapham are attractive. KEH has a nice one for $1450, a BGN one for $1250.

Thanks!

aoresteen · May 4, 2009

aoresteen said:
.... The next lens on my list to get is the 210mm.

GAS struck today. I bought an exc 210mm from KEH today for $65! Could not talk myself out of it.

aoresteen · May 11, 2009

borisdeswan

Any info on the 300mm Apo?

Thanks!

Tony

optique · May 11, 2009

aoresteen said:
I have the 35mm, 55mm, 80mm f/1.9, 110mm, and 145mm SF. The 35mm, 55mm, and the 110mm make a great set. The next lens on my list to get is the 210mm.

Curious about your experience with the 35mm?

I have the 80mm lens, and am thinking about the 35mm as my next, mostly for landscape.

Thanks
steve.

aoresteen · May 12, 2009

optique said:
Curious about your experience with the 35mm?

I have the 80mm lens, and am thinking about the 35mm as my next, mostly for landscape.

Thanks
steve.

Steve,

The 35mm is why I bought (another) M645. I'm a Hasselblad user and I could not justify the $$$ for a 40mm 'Blad lens or the SW/M with the 38mm. So I bought the 35mm and a 1000s body. It's my 3rd Mamiay 645. I really like the 35mm lens!!! Not very heavy and is tack sharp. I bought it for travel shots.

With the 80 a lot of folks get the 45mm.

You might find the 35 too wide - think a 21mm on a 35mm camera. But with the 55mm it's a great set up.

optique · May 12, 2009

aoresteen said:
Steve,

The 35mm is why I bought (another) M645. I'm a Hasselblad user and I could not justify the $$$ for a 40mm 'Blad lens or the SW/M with the 38mm. So I bought the 35mm and a 1000s body. It's my 3rd Mamiay 645. I really like the 35mm lens!!! Not very heavy and is tack sharp. I bought it for travel shots.

With the 80 a lot of folks get the 45mm.

You might find the 35 too wide - think a 21mm on a 35mm camera. But with the 55mm it's a great set up.

Yes, the 45mm would a lot cheaper, also. Good idea. I will try the 45mm.
thanks.
Steve.

ellepi · Sep 8, 2011

I have a M645 1000S with:

- 55/2.8 very good (I'll change it with 45/2.8)
- 80/2.8 I didn't use a lot(I want change it with 110/3.5 or 120/4 APO)
- 210/4 very excellent

Next lenses:
- fisheye
- 145/4 soft focus
- 50/4 shift

alexfoto · Sep 8, 2011

I use only normal lens so 80mm 2.8 is the only i have and is super sharp.

CGW · Sep 8, 2011

For flexibility and fun with MF, start with an 80/2.8--sharp, cheap, and plentiful.

agfarapid · Sep 8, 2011

I concur. The 80 2.8 is a great performer at a cheap price. It was my first lens for this camera. I also have the 150/4.0--great for portraits, scenics, whenever you want a longer than normal view. My current favorite is the 45/2.8. A heavy piece of glass but gives a fresh new perspective. You can't go wrong with any of the above.

Aristophanes · Sep 8, 2011

I use the 45/2.8 N and the camera came with the C version. The N version of the 45 has superior coatings and flare control, having compared both.

My advice is to use lens hoods as well.

Which Mamiya 645 lens to get?

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