Wide lenses for Mamiya 7

[Woolliscroft]

Something else I forgot to say in favour of the 65mm. It's much easier to use with filters than the 43mm. By the way, I agree that the spirit level in the 43mm viewfinder is very useful and east to use. Some others have been quite rude about it, but I have never understood why.

David.

 

[sanking]

Something else I forgot to say in favour of the 65mm. It's much easier to use with filters than the 43mm. By the way, I agree that the spirit level in the 43mm viewfinder is very useful and east to use. Some others have been quite rude about it, but I have never understood why.

David.

OK, I have the 65mm and exposed a roll of film with it today. One of the sharpest lens I have ever used, without doubt.

But much larger (in the sense of longer) than both the 43mm and 80mm Mamiya lenses for the 7 series).

And BTW, I agree with you about the finder for the 43mm. I find it well made and very useful and don't understand some of the very negatives comments expressed earlier? And in particular, the focusing level visible in the accessory finder is one big plus.

Sandy King

 

[Maine-iac]

I just bought a Mamiya 711 camera with 80mm lens and am already thinking about other optics. A 150mm lens seems a sure bet, but I would be interested in opinions (pros and cons) re: the 43mm and 50mm wide angle lenses.

Sandy

I recently bought one too, after selling several well-loved other pieces of equipment, except I got the 65 and 150 combo with the intent of adding the 43 when I can afford it, which at this rate will be about ten years after I'm dead.

The 65 is a honey of a lens (approx equivalent to a 32mm for a 35mm camera), and works perfectly well for me as a normal. If you're going to keep the 80 as your normal and are content with a wide angle that is roughly the equivalent of a 28mm on a 35mm camera, then the 50-80-150 would be fine. If you'd like a little more on the wide side, then perhaps trade the 80 for a 65 and go with the 43 on the bottom end. With either the 50 or the 43 you'll need the supplementary finder, so that shouldn't be an issue in the decision.

Larry

 

[naturephoto1]

I know that I am coming a bit late to the party. My Mamiya 7II consists of the Mamiya 7 43mm, 50mm, 65mm and 150mm lenses. All of the lenses are extremely sharp. The 65mm is the lens that I standardly leave on camera as it is the widest lens that can be used without the ancillary finder. The 50mm may or may not quite as sharp as the 43mm. With both the 43mm and 50mm it is best if possible to use the camera on a tripod and when possible level out the camera to keep lines parallel. Additionally, I keep the Kirk L bracket on the camera all the time to assist in switching from horizontal to vertical when using my Arca type QR heads.

I am posting 2 photos which were taken recently on my trip to Oregon. Both are in my gallery. The photo of Latourell Falls, Columbia River Gorge, was taken with the 43mm lens on Fujichrome Velvia (50) at approximately f16 at 1/2 sec.

The second photo was taken at Crater Lake, Oregon (In the Pink)at sunset or into dusk. The colors of the clouds and colors reflected into and turned the snow pink. No filter used. 65mm lens at f11 at 1 Sec on Velvia (50).

 

[georgecp]

Terrific system - 50 could still be useful with your outfit

I have had a Mamiya 7 outfit for 10 years with all of the lenses. As everyone has stated, it is simply a superb system for a careful worker who values wonderful results.

Sandy, I can even make a case for the 50mm with the outfit you have. There are times when 50 is perfect even with the 43 and 65 in the bag - the subject, distance, impression just look better with the 50. They are small enough that you can carry them easily. My two bodies have been all over Southeast Asia and China; another advantage of the system is that it does not look "expensive" compared to motor-driven, long-lenses super SLR's. I had a driver in Yunnan province ask me what I was doing with such an "old" camera. You can see his cousin in the rock quarry picture in my Asia gallery at www.georgepappas.net.

I have Verichrome Pan/PMK (now I will test pyrocat) negs that are simply amazing in their tonal quality from this system. It is a unique system.

 

[sanking]

I may get the 50mm in the future but for the current trip I am going to stick with the 43, 65, 80 and 150.

One of the things that really impresses me with this camera is the smooth and quiet release. Auto-wind is a feature that I would like to have, but guess it would make the camera a lot noisier.


Sandy

I have had a Mamiya 7 outfit for 10 years with all of the lenses. As everyone has stated, it is simply a superb system for a careful worker who values wonderful results.

Sandy, I can even make a case for the 50mm with the outfit you have. There are times when 50 is perfect even with the 43 and 65 in the bag - the subject, distance, impression just look better with the 50. They are small enough that you can carry them easily. My two bodies have been all over Southeast Asia and China; another advantage of the system is that it does not look "expensive" compared to motor-driven, long-lenses super SLR's. I had a driver in Yunnan province ask me what I was doing with such an "old" camera. You can see his cousin in the rock quarry picture in my Asia gallery at www.georgepappas.net.

I have Verichrome Pan/PMK (now I will test pyrocat) negs that are simply amazing in their tonal quality from this system. It is a unique system.

 

[jd callow]

43, 65, 80 and 150 is an excellent combination. For my purposes I'd build the system as 43, 65 and 150. I seldom use a normal focal length and the 50 is too close to the 43 and 65.

 

[sanking]

43, 65, 80 and 150 is an excellent combination. For my purposes I'd build the system as 43, 65 and 150. I seldom use a normal focal length and the 50 is too close to the 43 and 65.

I think the 80mm would be the easiest to skip, but that is the one that comes with most cameras and it is much less expensive than the other Mamiya lenses.

Also, 80mm on 6X7 is a bit wider than normal, comparable to a 39mm lens on 35mm, and I find that to be a real nice view. In fact, the view is very similar to what I have with the Fuji GW690II camera with the 90mm EBC lens.

But these Mamiya optics are really in a class of their. I have used a lot of really nice lenses in MF and LF, but the Mamiya lenses are much sharper than anything else I have ever used.

Sandy King

 

[jd callow]

But these Mamiya optics are really in a class of their. I have used a lot of really nice lenses in MF and LF, but the Mamiya lenses are much sharper than anything else I have ever used.

Sandy King

That has been my experience with the mamiya 6 lenses.

 

[bgilwee]

Love my Mamiya 7, have 65 and 150, wish the 150 had a shorter focus distance.
Brian

 

[craigclu]

Also, 80mm on 6X7 is a bit wider than normal, comparable to a 39mm lens on 35mm, and I find that to be a real nice view. In fact, the view is very similar to what I have with the Fuji GW690II camera with the 90mm EBC lens.
Sandy King

I'm now making a choice regarding the 43mm vs the 50mm. How about an update on your trip, Sandy? Did you find the coverage of the 43mm to be of great value? Did you struggle with issues related to distortion?

 

[sanking]

I'm now making a choice regarding the 43mm vs the 50mm. How about an update on your trip, Sandy? Did you find the coverage of the 43mm to be of great value? Did you struggle with issues related to distortion?

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the question. I saw the thread and forgot that I was the person who made the OP!!

OK, I eventually wound up getting a 43mm, 65mm and 150mm to go with the 80mm normal lens. I used this camera for a month in China last fall and exposed about a hundred rolls of 220 and 120 film. I also had a second Mamiya 7 body. I wound up making about 60% of my exposures with the 65mm lens, 30% with the 80mm, 9% with the 43mm and 1% with the 150mm.

I was, and am, extremely pleased with the quality of Mamiya 7 negatives. Results with al of the lenses comes very close to 4X5 quality. In fact, depending on film I think Mamiya 6X7 can beat 4X5 on a tripod.

After returning to the states I thought a lot about my work with this camera and came to the conclusion that I really did not like working with the external finder and the 43mm lenses. For that reason I sold this lens to a friend, and currently have only the 65, 80 and 150. I also found the field of view with the 43mm lens a bit too wide for my way of seeing.

From the above you can probably figure out that I found the 65mm lens the most useful for my own personal vision. I also like the fact that I can use this lens without an external viewfinder.

I am considering buying a 50mm lens for the Mamiya 7 because as I understand it you can see about 85% of the scene in the total frame of the built in viewfinder. I hope to check this out soon, or maybe someone with experience with the Mamiya 7 and 50mm lens would comment? I

Sandy King

 

[JosBurke]

Just my 2 cents-- I had an Mamiya 7 II that was one of the cameras that is more suitable for handheld work (ergonomic ) and my lenses were the 80 mm kit lens that is excellent but my preferred lens was the 65mm--razor sharp and a moderate wide and no aux. framing like my 50mm---If I had it to do over--which I may yet-- the I would go for the 43--65 and 80---yes to 80 mm--no interest in the longer lenses!

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the question. I saw the thread and forgot that I was the person who made the OP!!

OK, I eventually wound up getting a 43mm, 65mm and 150mm to go with the 80mm normal lens. I used this camera for a month in China last fall and exposed about a hundred rolls of 220 and 120 film. I also had a second Mamiya 7 body. I wound up making about 60% of my exposures with the 65mm lens, 30% with the 80mm, 9% with the 43mm and 1% with the 150mm.

I was, and am, extremely pleased with the quality of Mamiya 7 negatives. Results with al of the lenses comes very close to 4X5 quality. In fact, depending on film I think Mamiya 6X7 can beat 4X5 on a tripod.

After returning to the states I thought a lot about my work with this camera and came to the conclusion that I really did not like working with the external finder and the 43mm lenses. For that reason I sold this lens to a friend, and currently have only the 65, 80 and 150. I also found the field of view with the 43mm lens a bit too wide for my way of seeing.

From the above you can probably figure out that I found the 65mm lens the most useful for my own personal vision. I also like the fact that I can use this lens without an external viewfinder.

I am considering buying a 50mm lens for the Mamiya 7 because as I understand it you can see about 85% of the scene in the total frame of the built in viewfinder. I hope to check this out soon, or maybe someone with experience with the Mamiya 7 and 50mm lens would comment? I

Sandy King

I have the 43, 65 and 80mm lenses in my Mamiya 7II kit. I love them all but
I find myself shooting a large proportion of my shots with the 43mm (it's an excellent example of the Zeiss Biogon design . The Cosine 4th falloff doesn't bother me at all.

 

[sanking]

I have the 43, 65 and 80mm lenses in my Mamiya 7II kit. I love them all but
I find myself shooting a large proportion of my shots with the 43mm (it's an excellent example of the Zeiss Biogon design . The Cosine 4th falloff doesn't bother me at all.

I thought the 43mm was a pretty good lens, but the friend I sold it to complains that it is a bit soft on the edges.

Sandy

 

[skahde]

Sandy,

that's the downside of dealing with friends. Either you are too generous and will always think the guy still ows you something or you make a good deal and he will always have a sour taste in his mouth whenever you meet.

Must have been a very good deal...

Stefan

 

[sanking]

Sandy,

that's the downside of dealing with friends. Either you are too generous and will always think the guy still ows you something or you make a good deal and he will always have a sour taste in his mouth whenever you meet.

Must have been a very good deal...

Stefan

Stefan,

Well, the friend did get a good deal on the 43mm lens, a Mamiya 7 body, and 35mm panormaa adaptor. All that for $1800 and in great condition.

But he is not complaining so much that he wants to return the stuff. In fact, it was understood that he could return it if he wanted.

So in this case, nothing sour left in either of our mouths. If he wants he can probably sell the stuff on ebay for at least as much as he paid me.

Sandy

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I thought the 43mm was a pretty good lens, but the friend I sold it to complains that it is a bit soft on the edges.

Sandy

My 43mm F4.5 L Mamiya is sharp - across the field. Maybe I just got lucky when I bought mine?? (I doubt it!) Of course, there is the expected Cosine 4th illumination falloff at the edges of the field.

My 65mm F4L Mamiya is also sharp across the field.

I did not buy the Mamiya 50mm f4L - figuring - that with the 43mm and the 65mm I pretty much had the landscapes covered.

But - I do keep my eyes open for a 50mm Mamiya at a good price.

 

[skahde]

Dear Sandy,

Well, the friend did get a good deal on the 43mm lens, a Mamiya 7 body, and 35mm panormaa adaptor.

I was just pulling your leg. I hope you don't mind. I do think that it pays off to take extra care when buying to or selling from friends, though, as you risk money as well as friendship.

Back on the topic of the 43mm the guy who sold me my first Hassi also used the M7 and complained that he had the second sample and both suffered from decentering and had its brightest spot a little bit out of the frames center. He also had an SWC/M which he said was perfect in this respect but he preferred to have 6x7. He worked as one of several photographers on the payroll of a big player in the chemical industry and judged from the work he showed me, he knew a thing or two about his tools.

best

Stefan

 

[cchisena]

Mamiya 7 Lenses

Sandy et al, I have been using Mam6,7 ,7ii, since they came out and the 65 and 43 are both outstanding. I used to have the Fuji folder 645 camera that had a wonderful 75mm lens on it. I also use both the regular and wide Plaubel on occasion. I believe these types of cameras are ideal for travel,especially since we can't lock luggage anymore. The large negative combined with great handholding makes for an ideal combination.I use the 65 lens probably 75% of the time.The 6x7 negative also makes for nice enlarged negatives. I'd love to travel with my UFL(8X16), but it just isn't practical. Chip