Wide lens for the Mamiya 7ii? Any opinions?

bobby_novatron · 10-25-2011

Hey everyone,

I have a M7ii body with the standard 80mm lens. I love this camera, and I would like to get a wide angle lens. I'm wondering what would be a good compliment to my 80mm.

The 45mm seems too wide for my purposes. The 50mm seems to display significant distortion in the corners ... is the 65mm a good compliment to the 80mm? Would it be an equivalent ~30mm lens in 35mm format?

Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks.

EdSawyer · 10-26-2011

43 is a world-beater and the best wide-angle lens for MF, ever, I think. 50 is a close 2nd. Both are raison-d'etre for the Mamiya 7 system in general. I think the 65 is too close to the 80 to bother with that as a 2nd lens, though it is a great lens too. I'd get the 43 or 50.

kmallick · 10-26-2011

Both the 50 and the 43 are fantastic. You can't go wrong with either. Which one you pick depends on the FOV you like (25mm vs 21mm equivalent of 35mm). The 65mm on Mamiya 7II is a mild wide and good for normal shooting.

johnwood · 10-26-2011

The 65's too close to 80, especially given the cost of the lens. I'm not sure about significant distortion on the 50, mine seems quite nice; but, if you're against the 50, then go ahead and get the 43, which is wonderful, and crop if it's too wide.

bobby_novatron · 10-27-2011

Excellent advice, everyone. I also have considered that the 65mm is too close to the 80mm (despite being an excellent lens in its own right), and therefore not really worth the expense.

Now I'll have to keep an eye open for a 50mm I suppose!

uhligfd · 10-27-2011

Complement, complement, man, not a compliment ...

Anyway, the 43 mm one is the best and do not be afraid of wides. You want to have a wide, so take a superwide. On 35 mm film, the 21 mm rules on the street, in the woods, in the house.... The learning curve is a bit steep, but once you get the hang of what to do with your subject matter and where to point the lens you will be miles ahead of where you would be with first shelling out for the 65 mm, then for the 50 mm ...to finally end up at the 43 mm anyway.

My two cents. Compliments to your move into wides to complement your normal 80mm lens then. And good luck!

Bobfrance · 10-27-2011

I've Just picked up a 50mm for my 7ii, though I've not had chance to shoot it yet.

It's worth noting that the 7ii has frame lines for the 50mm bit not for the 43mm.
If you shoot street, not having to use the big viewfinder stuck on top of the camera is an advantage due to less bulk and the faster framing and focussing of using the cameras own VF.

If you don't wear glasses I dare say you could get away with using the full frame of the VF as a reasonable guide for the 43mm, however if you do wear specks (as I do) then you can just about see the 50mm frame lines.

jasonrutter · 10-27-2011

I have both the 80mm and 50mm which are both wonderful lenses. I feel that the 80mm is a touch long at moments and the 50mm to be a bit too wide for some situations which leads me to believe a 65mm would be ideal compromise between them. Not to mention the price point of the 65mm is far more tempting.

kmallick · 10-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobfrance

It's worth noting that the 7ii has frame lines for the 50mm bit not for the 43mm.

Are you sure? I think you mixed it up with Mamiya 6 which has framelines for the 50mm. I have used the full viewfinder for the 50mm on the 7 II, but it does come with a separate viewfinder for both the 50 and the 43. Either way, they are awesome wides, some of the best in MF.

Bobfrance · 10-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmallick

Are you sure? I think you mixed it up with Mamiya 6 which has framelines for the 50mm. I have used the full viewfinder for the 50mm on the 7 II, but it does come with a separate viewfinder for both the 50 and the 43. Either way, they are awesome wides, some of the best in MF.

Fairly sure. It brings up its widest possible frame lines in the viewfinder when the lens is attached, I've checked them by comparing their FOV to the external 50mm finder that came with the lens. They are pretty close, too close to be the 65mm lines, I think, which would be the next step down. Unfortunately I don't have a 65mm lens to put on in order to be 100% certain.

What frame lines does the 50mm bring up on your camera?

kmallick · 10-27-2011

The Mamiya 7II only has framelines for the 65 (widest), 80mm and 150mm. I just checked with the instruction manual just to be sure. The 65mm framelines almost fills the entire viewfinder and that is the reason many like using the 65mm lens (similar to 35mm on a Leica M 0.72x). Both the 43mm and 50mm lens are designed to be used with external viewfinders.

Bobfrance · 10-27-2011

In that case I stand corrected. I'm surprised there seems to be so little difference in the FOV between the 65mm frame lines and the 50mm external viewfinder.

So am I right to assume the 50mm lens brings up the 65mm frame lines?

Gerry M · 10-27-2011

I settled on the 65mm as it seems to cover most situations for me. The 80 was a bit too long and I don't like bothering with an external finder. I know the 65 isn't the solution for everyone, but it works nicely for me.

bob338 · 10-27-2011

I had a 43mm briefly, I traded it back to the seller for a Plaubel before I had processed the film I shot with it. I wish I had looked at my film before trading it back! It's a wonderful, near-perfect lens. I plan to buy one again, someday.

I would guess that you won't regret buying one. The only negative I can think of is the viewfinder. It's clear and easy to use, but I don't like external viewfinders in general.

Bob

kmallick · 10-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobfrance

So am I right to assume the 50mm lens brings up the 65mm frame lines?

I believe so. I will have to check.

The 43mm is claimed to be a copycat design of the original 10 element Zeiss Biogon lens used for view cameras. It is a stunning lens.

EdSawyer · 10-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmallick

I believe so. I will have to check.

The 43mm is claimed to be a copycat design of the original 10 element Zeiss Biogon lens used for view cameras. It is a stunning lens.

That's ken rockwell drivel. It has similarities to the biogon design as do most symmetrical wides like that, but it's above and beyond what the biogon is/was. Mamiya has enough talent to not bother copying a 40+yr old design without improving it substantially.

Turtle · 10-28-2011

IMO the 50 is the stand out. Distortion in the corners? I have never seen any!

Much lower vignetting that the 43 and my wide of choice (after the 65).

Canyongazer · 10-29-2011

I went through the 43 or 50 as do so many.
I went with the more conservative and sensible choice, the 50.
And regretted it.
Often wished the 50 was a bit wider.
Seriously doubt 43 shooters wish it 7mm longer.

nathan96 · 10-29-2011

Buy one of them and be confident you'll wish you purchased the other one.

Grass is greener....

notraces · 10-29-2011

The 43mm is one of the best lenses I've ever used -- I like the combo of the Mamiya 7II / 43mm more than I did my SWC -- I sold the SWC...

If you really want to see what the 7II / 43mm can do -- you should check out this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Photo-Jour-Pic.../dp/0292743491

All shot with the 43mm -- fantastic images...

EdSawyer · 11-03-2011

I have both 43 and 50, and they are both useful for different purposes. Granted, it's not cheap but it is worth it in the long run, I think.

hatidua · 11-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdSawyer

I have both 43 and 50, and they are both useful for different purposes. Granted, it's not cheap but it is worth it in the long run, I think.

Agreed. Although I own all of the Mamiya 7 lenses except for the 210, I could rather happily get by with the two widest options.

kmallick · 11-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatidua

Agreed. Although I own all of the Mamiya 7 lenses except for the 210, I could rather happily get by with the two widest options.

I thought I was the only one who got suckered into the same. Whew! I feel better now.

Bob Michaels · 11-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonrutter

I have both the 80mm and 50mm which are both wonderful lenses. I feel that the 80mm is a touch long at moments and the 50mm to be a bit too wide for some situations which leads me to believe a 65mm would be ideal compromise between them. Not to mention the price point of the 65mm is far more tempting.

I bought the 65mm after using the 80 & 50mm lenses for several years. Like Jason, I was always thinking the 80 was a bit too long and the 50 a bit too wide. I was right, the 65mm is perfect for me. I almost never use the 80 or 50 now as the 65 is always on my camera.

EdSawyer · 11-04-2011

I admit to having all 6 of the Mamiya 7 lenses, though I have yet to use the 210. I use the wides the most, also.