Mamiya 7/7ii Shots - Wide Lens Options

RayPA · 02-23-2010

I recently picked up a Mamiya 7 with an 80. I can already tell that I want to go with a wider focal length. I'm considering the 65. However, I'd like to ask M7/7ii owners to please post some shots from the wider focal lengths (43, 50, 65). If you have some images that show the distortion (or lack of distortion) I'd especially like to see those too. Please add details and any description you feel necessary.

TIA

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p.s. I belong to the Mamiya 7 Flickr groups, but a lot of those shots are untagged.

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RayPA · 02-23-2010

Very nice shots. I'm not seeing much distortion. Pretty cool that the fov of the 50 corresponds to the fov of the finder. I'm not big on external finders. If you have any 43 shots, I'd love to see them. Thanks for the link.

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Avotius · 02-23-2010

I got the 43mm lens and the 80mm here with a 7ii, I have shot a few rolls with the 43 but dont have anything scanned yet. There is a little distortion as seen from wet prints but really nothing surprising given its 35mm equivalent 21mm focal length. We are just getting back from a major holiday here so after the rush I will go see if I can get some scans done.

One thing that is nice about this lens is the ability to do quick photography through hyperfocal focusing as there is a lot of depth of field to work with though the external viewfinder is huge and the light meter rarely is accurate.

Bob Michaels · 02-23-2010

I shoot with a Mamiya 7. I have the 80mm, 65mm and 50mm lenses.

I choose lenses based on the FOV that I think will work best for my days shooting. My photo style does not allow spending much time analyzing a scene to determine which lens will work best. I find the 65mm FOV matches best with my style. The 50mm comes next. I never use the auxiliary finder. I seldom use the 80mm but that is due to my style.

I see no distortion other than what one would normally expect from the wide angle FOV.

I also see no discernible difference in the optical quality of one lens vs. another. They are all spectacular with the big neg to the point that only those would are more concerned about optics than what their photos are all about might see any difference.

FWIW, I can tell a difference in an 8x10 print from a 35mm neg vs. a 6x7 neg. But I cannot tell the difference in any print made from any Mamiya 7 lens and any Bronica SQA lens. And I use a real high rez film scanner. Forget it all if you are scanning on a flatbed.

Just choose a lens based on the equivalent FOV that is currently working for you. That overwhelms anything else.

jonmanjiro · 02-23-2010

Here's two taken with the 43mm f4.5. You have to see the pics in large to appreciate the detail (click on the photos). I also have the 65mm f4. Both great lenses. I don't think there's a dud lens in the Mamiya 7 lens lineup.

jonmanjiro · 02-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Negative

I have to agree, they're all really excellent. Though one has to wonder about the 210mm a little.

I bet the 210mm is optically excellent too, though I do wonder about the usefulness of that focal length on the Mamiya 7 (same applies to the 150mm lens).

craygc · 02-23-2010

Mamiya 7II... Not much in the way of distortion with these lenses

65mm lens

43mm Lens

photony texas · 02-23-2010

love the 80mm, like the 43mm, want the 50mm.
43mm

43mm on 35mm film

RayPA · 02-24-2010

WOW! Great examples.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

I don't think there's a dud lens in the Mamiya 7 lens lineup.

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Judging by these samples, I think you're right. Now my lusting for one wide lens has increased to three. But which one first? A pleasant dilemma.

Thanks all!

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akarin · 02-27-2010

Man, this makes my choice very complicated :-)

sinetsin · 02-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayPA

WOW! Great examples.

Judging by these samples, I think you're right. Now my lusting for one wide lens has increased to three. But which one first? A pleasant dilemma.

Thanks all!

/

Wow!!
Me too!! Fantastic Samples!
Ray...you shouldn't start that thread!!!!

Finder · 02-27-2010

I would start at an angle of view you normally enjoy using, if not in medium-format, then another format.

Or you could hang with jonmanjiro in Shinjuku Tokyo--it looks like he could meet you at either the South or West exit of Shinjuku station. Then once you have decided, you could go an buy one in one of the many camera stores that surround the station.

PaulW128 · 02-27-2010

Wow...what great M7 photographs!! Man, I gotta get me one of those one day...

And based on this thread, I'd probably go with the 80 and 50.

Best
Paul

Turtle · 02-27-2010

Like Bob, I find the 65mm is by far the most useful of all the lenses, but then I am a 35mm/28mm person on 35mm too and this lens is somewhere between the two. If you have the 80 and want a lens that nestles well with this FL, the 50 is the best bet as it offers a nice spacing from the 80 and is also an amazing performer. You can just about get away with using the periphery of the finder too if you want to work quickly. While all the lenses are incredible I find the 50 surprises me with how good it is even wide open. The 65 needs a stop or two to hit its prime, but seems perfect for 90% of my work.

If you live the 80mm FL, get the 50.

If you find the 80 a wee bit long, consider the 43 and 65 combo.

I have the 43 and have hardly used it. Seems rather like the 50 except a touch smaller and with that 'ultra wide' feel like a 21mm. In this regard the 50 is a much more useful lens IMHO as it does not scream its FL and perhaps has better general application.

RayPA · 02-27-2010

Lluis, I know! My apologies to all for instigating GAS.

Turtle, I'm a 35/28 guy too, so I'll probably go 65.

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Uber Jalemon · 03-12-2010

Somptuous, I'm not worthy

Quote:

Originally Posted by craygc

Mamiya 7II... Not much in the way of distortion with these lenses

65mm lens

43mm Lens

TJV · 03-13-2010

I have the 80, 65 and the 50mm is due to arrive any day now...
The 65 is supposed to be the lesser lens in the M7 lineup but I'd have no hesitation using it wide open for anything at all. It's amazing compared to 35mm lenses at all apertures. Can't wait to try the 50mm.

degruyl · 03-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

I bet the 210mm is optically excellent too, though I do wonder about the usefulness of that focal length on the Mamiya 7 (same applies to the 150mm lens).

The 150 is surprisingly useful, much like a 90mm on a leica. It is good to have for face shots.

I have neither the 43 nor the 50, but almost all of my shots here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doubled.../tags/mamiya7/
are with the 65mm lens. I did not even bring any other lens on two of the three trips that those images are from.

There is no distortion, but it does have an issue with flare when you are shooting into the sun. The silly looking lens shade appears to help. (That may only occur with a filter attached, I did not correlate completely. I do use B+W contrast filters and may have had a color correcting filter on in Mexico).

martin s · 03-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber Jalemon

Somptuous, I'm not worthy

Those made my day. Wow they're good.

martin

coelacanth · 03-13-2010

Oh no! I really shouldn't have seen this thread. I was trying to escape from GAS after the very recent purchase of Mamiya 7 + 80mm.

It's 4:50 AM here. Some idiot ran red light and smashed other car right in front of my Apartment building and I woke up with the sound and a bit of shockwave. I came back to bed and checked RFF, saw the thread, saw the pictures you guys posted. Now I'm off to flickr looking for 50mm images.

I'm loving the 80mm and always feel I can't handle super wide, so I should look into 50mm (and 65mm and 150mm). Probably I should rent those lenses at Gasser for a weekend and tryout...

THANKS Ray and guys for giving me yet another GAS attack...

PatrickT · 03-13-2010

Wow, these are all too good. I am now feeling the need to buy a Mamiya 7

I have to keep telling myself, "It's the photographer, not the camera" and in that case, you all are damn good!

chris000 · 03-13-2010

I use both the 43mm and the 65mm and they are both great lenses - a couple here from my gallery, shot with the 43 which marginally I prefer. Although the 65mm is my most recent acquisition so maybe I just need to use it more often to get to love it more.

thegman · 03-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by craygc

Mamiya 7II... Not much in the way of distortion with these lenses

65mm lens

43mm Lens

An array of wonderful photos, makes me want to get a MF camera for myself. And get a lot better at photography...

sebastian toombs · 03-14-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtle

If you live the 80mm FL, get the 50.

If you find the 80 a wee bit long, consider the 43 and 65 combo.

i have the 80 and 50, and agree with this point: spread them out. unless you arent worried about costs, whats the point of having both an 80 and 65, 65 and 50, or 50 and 43?

degruyl · 03-14-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian toombs

i have the 80 and 50, and agree with this point: spread them out. unless you arent worried about costs, whats the point of having both an 80 and 65, 65 and 50, or 50 and 43?

I have an 80 and 65, and agree with this point, which is why I don't carry the 80.