Worth extra chee$e for Mamiya f/1.9 80mm over f/2.8 80mm?

[macheesemo]

My stomach is telling me to snap up a 2.8 quickly, my heart is telling me I will want that extra stop of bokeh and speed when low light is a factor, but that lens is 2x the price...

I'm still leaning towards the 1.9- thoughts?

Edit: the 645 80mm, not 6x7

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I have a friend who has a 1.9 and seems to like it. If you have the money, go for it!

Jeff

 

[keithwms]

In my opinion you will eventually want both. So if it cramps your wallet then just get the 2.8 and be happy.

The 1.9 is fun, but in terms of sharpness and contrast and neutrality, it is not in the same league as the newer 2.8 lenses. Also, there is some variability in the 1.9. Mine is okay, but I have heard of others that are significantly off neutral, which becomes an issue for colour work. In terms of colour rendition, my 45, 55, 80/2.8, and 200 are all consistent in tone, but the 80/1.9 isn't consistent with the others.

Sometimes you really need the 1.9... but only sometimes.

 

[Krzys]

Nope go with the 2.8

 

[MattKing]

I consider the handling issues to be more important than the extra stop, but that is a reflection of my preferences, not yours.

By handling, I am referring to the small size, consistent 58mm filter size, and consistent barrel size (for the focus assist lever).

Sometimes, a larger maximum aperture helps with ease of viewing and focusing, but I don't find that f/2.8 is a problem.

As they say, YMMV.

 

[macheesemo]

Just ordered a f/2.8 80mm, a new neckstrap and a f/3.8 150mm lens with a leaf shutter for the same price it would have cost to get the f/1.9 80mm. Not that I'm ruling it out for the future...

 

[Travis Nunn]

I never really knew there were such variations in quality with the 1.9.... I got mine a couple of years ago (after my 2.8 met a rather untimely death... but that is for a different thread...) and I wouldn't trade it for the 2.8 now. Maybe I just got lucky and got one of the good ones, I don't know. Also, the price difference between the two was maybe $20 so it really wasn't much of a difference in price. I thought both were excellent lenses so you can't really go wrong.

edit... I just checked the KEH prices and man! The 1.9 prices have skyrocketed since I got mine. At the prices they're going for now and the price differential, I'd say go with the 2.8

 

[fotch]

Can't speak for the F2.8, however, I have the F1.9 and its very sharp and I love it. Never compared price difference, the camera, lens, and metered prism finder came as a package. Take all or take none so I took all.

 

[MattKing]

Just ordered a f/2.8 80mm, a new neckstrap and a f/3.8 150mm lens with a leaf shutter for the same price it would have cost to get the f/1.9 80mm. Not that I'm ruling it out for the future...

macheesmo:

You will most likely really like your Mamiya leaf shutter lens. Two suggestions though:

1) read the instructions carefully, and memorize them (hint: 1/8 of a second!); and
2) run a roll of transparency film through your camera to check how the speeds compare between your focal plane shutter, and the shutter in your lens. You may see some variance, and it is important to be aware of that variance when you meter.

Good luck, and have fun!

PS - posted this first in the RB67 lens thread you posted too, and then thought that this location was better.