Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: mdelrossi on September 28, 2017, 08:31:18 am
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Hello all,
I’m looking for a Long lens for Fuji GFX.
I’ve been using an 80-200 nikkor, but looking for something in the 300-400 range.
At B&H the have Pentax and mamiya 645 lenses used. The Pentax lenses ar a lot more expensive, are they really that much better?
Looking to use these for compressed landscape and architecture shots.
Thanks
mdr
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I would check to see if the Pentax 645 lenses are AF or MF as AF will not help any and will cost considerably more. Lots of the older 645 MF glass is very nice, the old 150mm was nice for sure, but they will lack the contrast of a modern lens on the GFX.
The Mamiya 300 APO and 200 APO are both excellent lenses. I use the 200mm a lot on my GFX an love it for size and sharpness, again it lacks the contrast of modern lens but I can get that back.
Be careful on the Mamiya lenses as most if not all of the AF versions will not have a manual aperture ring so you will not be able to use them.
I use the Fotodiox adapter for Mamiya/GFX and it seems to work fine. It has a removable tripod foot which is a nice feature also.
Paul Caldwell
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As per Paul, I’ve been testing out the Mamiya 645 older lenses on the GFX with the fotodiox adapter.
So far 500/5.6 - sharp but as Paul mentioned it is low contrast and needs a boost in post processing. Deconvolution sharpening works well with it. I was surprised to find that it needed stopping down two stops to f/11 for best results with my copy at least.
I’ve also just started testing a Mamiya 200 APO both with & without the corresponding Mamiya 2x teleconverter. Again, plenty sharp enough and noticeably better than the 500mm (plus a LOT more portable).
Watch the fotodiox adapter if you use it as the tripod foot. I noticed that with mine it loosened up with the weight of these lenses plus it limits you to landscape orientation (500mm has its own rotatable foot).
Personally I’m looking forward to the new Fuji 250mm to hit the streets.
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Mamiya 500/5.6 @ f/11 & 200 APO / 2x test shot examples - different days but from the same location (also before & after forest fire haze / closure of Crown Point).
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Nice test shots!
Best regards
Erik
Mamiya 500/5.6 @ f/11 & 200 APO / 2x test shot examples - different days but from the same location (also before & after forest fire haze / closure of Crown Point).
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Thanks Eric. Luckily I have a great scenic location 15 min from my house on the same river/Columbia gorge location to test every lens/camera I've used.
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HI Graham,
Which Mamiya 2x converter are you using? The one that P1 sells? or an older version. You have a great point on it's use with the 200mm, I need to check into that.
But I agree, the Fuji 250mm, will be interesting and I look forward to it.
Paul Caldwell
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I was testing the original M645 2x converter, not the Phase One current adapter.
Basically a full legacy M645 glass combo vs the newer lenses. I've had these in the cupboard since the 1990's so it has been nice to try them out again. The M645 200 APO was new to me.
The 200 APO isn't as sharp as my 240 LS but as you mentioned, the AF lenses can't be used at the moment due to lack of aperture control on a purely manual camera system / adapter.
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Hi,
I know an astronomer who is also a very knowledgeable MFD user. He bought a Mamiya 300/2.8 APO lens and he is very happy with it. They are still pretty expensive on EBay, but they may be worth a look?
Best regards
Erik
Hello all,
I’m looking for a Long lens for Fuji GFX.
I’ve been using an 80-200 nikkor, but looking for something in the 300-400 range.
At B&H the have Pentax and mamiya 645 lenses used. The Pentax lenses ar a lot more expensive, are they really that much better?
Looking to use these for compressed landscape and architecture shots.
Thanks
mdr
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If the longer 300/500 APO lenses are of interest you might want to read this:
http://brianhirschfeldphotography.com/2013/10/07/field-report-mamiya-300mm-f2-8-apo-and-mamiya-500mm-f4-5-apo-lenses-in-costa-rica/
and 200/APO:
http://www.pebbleplace.com/reviews/medium_format/mamiya_200mm_apo/page_1.html
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I have tested a mamiya c 300mm/f4 and a mamiya 80mm/1.9. I was not really satisfied with them. Now I bought a pentax FA 80-160mm and it is really much more sharper than than the mamiya lenses.
But it is a AF lens the manual focus of the pentax is not as good like a manual only one. But it works fine.
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Hi,
Did you test the Mamiya 300 F4.5? the white body lens? On the GFX how did you control aperture, I would love to use this lens but the Fotodiox adapter will not work the aperture of the more modern Mamiya glass.
The older 300 F2.8 APO, will work, but is massive and hard to find now. The 200 F 2.8 is also excellent but also getting hard to find a good copy.
Would love to see a Schneider/P1 adapter some day for the GFX that would allow some excellent optics for the GFX as an alternative.
Thanks
Paul Caldwell
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A couple more from the GFX & Mamiya 200/2.8 APO + 2x converter. Some deconvolution sharpening really works wonders with these files:
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Hi Paul,
Yes I tried the older not white 300mm lens. Because it is the old C lens series it has a aperature ring.
Yes if there is a phase1 Adapter with aperature control this would be very fine...
Cyron
Hi,
Did you test the Mamiya 300 F4.5? the white body lens? On the GFX how did you control aperture, I would love to use this lens but the Fotodiox adapter will not work the aperture of the more modern Mamiya glass.
The older 300 F2.8 APO, will work, but is massive and hard to find now. The 200 F 2.8 is also excellent but also getting hard to find a good copy.
Would love to see a Schneider/P1 adapter some day for the GFX that would allow some excellent optics for the GFX as an alternative.
Thanks
Paul Caldwell
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Hi Paul,
This sounds you have already some p1 / Schneider lenses. Have you tried them with you mamiya Adapter? I have done this. Aperature does not work of course but only for a try.
The sharpness was not really good with only wide open aperature even with the newest p1 lenses. For summary my mamiya c 300mm was not really good i assume my Adapter has a problem. I have used a novoflex gfx 2 mamiya Adapter. Not a fotodiox. I thought I buy a more expensive part and it will have tighter tolerances but at the end this could be wrong.
I need to try a fotodiox Adapter too for best comparison..
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Do check out the Pentax 645 A* 300 F4.
I've used this on the 645z (and my 5dsr) and it's a stunning lens.
The manual focus version can be had for under $500 CAD from my memory.
I believe they may have made a matching 1.4x as well.
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Yes i belive the Pentax lenses are really good...
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Thanks for all the info.
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Hi Paul,
This sounds you have already some p1 / Schneider lenses. Have you tried them with you mamiya Adapter? I have done this. Aperature does not work of course but only for a try.
The sharpness was not really good with only wide open aperature even with the newest p1 lenses. For summary my mamiya c 300mm was not really good i assume my Adapter has a problem. I have used a novoflex gfx 2 mamiya Adapter. Not a fotodiox. I thought I buy a more expensive part and it will have tighter tolerances but at the end this could be wrong.
I need to try a fotodiox Adapter too for best comparison..
Hi,
No I did not attempt to use the Schneiders on the GFX. I had been told you can't freeze the aperture like a Canon or Nikon Camera will allow by taking the lens off with the DOF button depressed.
It's really too bad as the IC of the any of the P1/Mamiya modern lenses is perfect for a camera like the GFX. I doubt that anyone will make an adapter however as no one has ever attempted it before. Also I worry a bit about the leaf shutter in the Schneiders. It's something that could be done as Fuji has the adapter for Hasselblad lenses, but they also had control/design on the mount.
Only hope for these besides an XF is if P1 ever does make a mirrorless, which seems not on the road map for anytime soon.
Paul Caldwell
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The Leica 280/4 Apo-Telyt-R is quite good stopped down a bit, but it is dear:
http://blog.kasson.com/the-last-word/leica-2804-apo-r-on-fujifilm-gfx-50s/
Jim
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Hi,
No I did not attempt to use the Schneiders on the GFX. I had been told you can't freeze the aperture like a Canon or Nikon Camera will allow by taking the lens off with the DOF button.
Who told you that?
Press the DOF preview button and eject the battery. The lens stays stopped down.
It's not an officially supported operation (nor is it on Canon, Nikon, Sony etc) and if it somehow damaged the lens it would be questionable whether it would be repaired under warranty, but I'd rate the risk as low.
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Doug,
Thanks for the tip. I had read somewhere, here or getdpi, this was not a good idea due to the leaf shutter but I will try it.
Paul Caldwell
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Who told you that?
Press the DOF preview button and eject the battery. The lens stays stopped down.
It's not an officially supported operation (nor is it on Canon, Nikon, Sony etc) and if it somehow damaged the lens it would be questionable whether it would be repaired under warranty, but I'd rate the risk as low.
I don't believe this works with a IQ3100, as it has power sharing, thus if you pull the battery from the camera, camera still runs from the battery in the back. (great feature don't get me wrong). If you power up just the camera, DOF preview will not work, surprising. At least on my XF it won't.
Thus you have to turn on both back and camera, hit DOF preview, then with your other hand slightly release the lens from the XF (takes a bit of dexerity) then the Aperture stays stopped down.
From there, you are totally correct, works fine on the GFX and very well BTW, at the preselected aperture. Not the greatest solution but at least lets you use the excellent optics.
Paul Caldwell
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I don't believe this works with a IQ3100, as it has power sharing, thus if you pull the battery from the camera, camera still runs from the battery in the back. (great feature don't get me wrong). If you power up just the camera, DOF preview will not work, surprising. At least on my XF it won't.
Thus you have to turn on both back and camera, hit DOF preview, then with your other hand slightly release the lens from the XF (takes a bit of dexerity) then the Aperture stays stopped down.
From there, you are totally correct, works fine on the GFX and very well BTW, at the preselected aperture. Not the greatest solution but at least lets you use the excellent optics.
Paul Caldwell
I'd suggest pulling the second battery so you can remove it while the camera is off. Neither methods is officially supported, and I don't think either carries much of a risk, but when the camera is still on the contacts of the lens are still carrying electricity and at least in theory could cause issues to the lens if the body doesn't appropriately (and quickly) stop using the pins when you go to remove the lens.
Some of the Schneider LS Blue Ring (https://digitaltransitions.com/product-category/phaseone/ls-lenses/) line are uniquely great lenses, so I can see the temptation. Of course they work best on a Phase One body and only achieve their full look on a full frame 645 sensor :).
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Hi Doug:
The problem is,
1. If you pull the camera battery, the camera stays on due to power share.
2. If you pull the camera battery and back battery with back on, I would be a bit concerned about screwing up the back, due to the non normal shutdown.
3. You can't use DOF preview without a back connected, at least I can't get it to. That would be the best solution or disable power share, but neither option appears to be possible currently
So your mention of pulling the 2nd battery I assume means the battery in the back, and that would killing the back without a normal shutdown if I understand and only do that when I get a lock up which occurs less and less these days.
Totally agree on the quality of the glass.
Paul Caldwell
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I was looking for an AF lens for the GFX in the 180-250mm range as an alternative to the very good but rather expensive, a bit heavy and not so fast GF 250f4 lens.
I tested several Canon EF options: The EF 180f3.5 Macro L and the EF 70-200f2.8 L II do not have sufficient image circle. The EF 200f2 L IS works perfectly with sufficient image circle and very good sharpness even towards the corners at open aperture but the lens is rather expensive (2nd hand), heavy and f2 is maybe overkill.
After confirmed by forum member Marc Aurel that the EF 200f2.8 L would have sufficient image circle for the 44x33mm sensor, I ebayed a 2nd hand lens and today did a few test shots using the Steelsring GF-EF AF adapter. The lens is very lightweight and not big at all, AF works fine (speed and precision), even with eye detection. Also at f2.8 there is hardly any vignetting, at open aperture the lens is not as biting sharp as the GF 110f2 but still good. Another positive surprise was, that the lens shows only little LCA (which I hate because it is not correctable in post ;-). Corner sharpness at f2.8 is already astonishingly good, at f8 it is very usable across the whole frame. The only negative to report is the strong cushion distortion which I corrected in ACR (-9).
So in case you own already a GF-EF AF adapter, you get for just EUR 550 a very useful 160mm f 2.2 equivalent lens for the GFX.
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Here the test pics crops
center @ f2.8
corner @ f2.8
center @ f8
corner @ f8
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I was looking for an AF lens for the GFX in the 180-250mm range as an alternative to the very good but rather expensive, a bit heavy and not so fast GF 250f4 lens.
I tested several Canon EF options: The EF 180f3.5 Macro L and the EF 70-200f2.8 L II do not have sufficient image circle. The EF 200f2 L IS works perfectly with sufficient image circle and very good sharpness even towards the corners at open aperture but the lens is rather expensive (2nd hand), heavy and f2 is maybe overkill.
After confirmed by forum member Marc Aurel that the EF 200f2.8 L would have sufficient image circle for the 44x33mm sensor, I ebayed a 2nd hand lens and today did a few test shots using the Steelsring GF-EF AF adapter. The lens is very lightweight and not big at all, AF works fine (speed and precision), even with eye detection. Also at f2.8 there is hardly any vignetting, at open aperture the lens is not as biting sharp as the GF 110f2 but still good. Another positive surprise was, that the lens shows only little LCA (which I hate because it is not correctable in post ;-). Corner sharpness at f2.8 is already astonishingly good, at f8 it is very usable across the whole frame. The only negative to report is the strong cushion distortion which I corrected in ACR (-9).
So in case you own already a GF-EF AF adapter, you get for just EUR 550 a very useful 160mm f 2.2 equivalent lens for the GFX.
Hi Chrismuc,
good to hear that the combo works for you. About the pincushion distortion: a value of -9 in ACR seems extreme. I hardly detected any. To me that sounds like the GFX embeds the profile for the Fuji 63mm lens. The camera does that if it does not recognise a lens. The latest firmware for the steelsring adapter should automatically remove that. Might it be that your adapter firmware is not the latest?
Best regards -
Marc
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Servus Markus, hello Marc;-)
Acc. tests like lenstip.com the lens has about 1% pincushion distortion if used on a normal 135 camera, so not too much. On 44x33 it's of course more. It's a bit difficult to say how much this translates to ACR units.
I cropped my test pic to 36x24mm and it still needed -6 ACR units to straighten up.
The firmware of my Steelsring adapter is not latest but ist shows perfect exif data 'EF 200f2.8 L II' so I would assume that camera and photoshop would not apply a profile of another lens, but who knows.
I will test the lens on my Canon 1DX (tomorrow ... today too dark), import to ACR to see the amount of distortion, then we will know more.
Anyhow, the lens works excellent on the GFX. Enclosed two more shots form today.
First at f4, second at f2.8.
Christoph
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For image circle issues on the long Canon EF lenses, the 1.4x III should resolve it. I'm looking forward to trying out a number of things once my current work load gets lighter at the end of the month. I want to see the 100-400 mkII lens with the tele converter - just because we can. The 200-400 is amazing with the 1.4x enabled, a night shot at 20 seconds / iso400 below.
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@ Marc
1. I did a test shot with my 1DX and the lens shows just very little pincushion distortion. ACR -1 was enough to correct.
2. I opened the GFX raw file in Iridient X-Transformer and converted to to dng with ignoring lens corrections written into the file by the Fuji GFX. Opening that file by ACR shows very little pincushion distortion, ACR -2 enough to correct.
So you were right, the camera is adding a wrong lens correction to the file due to misleading information by the adapter. I downloaded the latest firmware for the Steelsring GF-EF adapter. Have to update the adapter firmware with the Mac which is bit fancy coz must use a terminal app. Will report after I (hopefully) succeeded.
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Hi Chrismuc,
good to hear that the combo works for you. About the pincushion distortion: a value of -9 in ACR seems extreme. I hardly detected any. To me that sounds like the GFX embeds the profile for the Fuji 63mm lens. The camera does that if it does not recognise a lens. The latest firmware for the steelsring adapter should automatically remove that. Might it be that your adapter firmware is not the latest?
Best regards -
Marc
Marc..... I read your post with more than a little interest since I use my GFX with my Schneider Digitar's and wasn't aware that there could be an embedded profile which I wouldn't want. I tested my 60mm XL on both my 3100 and GFX and brought both images into C1 and could detect no visual difference. I don't know if a profile was imbedded in the GFX file and C1 applied a correction or if there was no imbedded profile.
Victor
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Has anyone tried the Canon 200mm f2L on the GFX?
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Marc..... I read your post with more than a little interest since I use my GFX with my Schneider Digitar's and wasn't aware that there could be an embedded profile which I wouldn't want. I tested my 60mm XL on both my 3100 and GFX and brought both images into C1 and could detect no visual difference. I don't know if a profile was imbedded in the GFX file and C1 applied a correction or if there was no imbedded profile.
Victor
Hi Victor,
you're right. My statement was not 100% correct. The GFX does not apply the embedded profile to ALL lenses it does not recognize. It ONLY does this when lenses with electronic aperture control are connected via a smart adapter (for example Canon EF lenses). My Zeiss PC-Distagon adapted to the GFX was not affected. So I guess with your Schneider Digitars the problem is not existant too.
It's difficult to understand what really happens. The GFX does nothing unexpected when there is a non-native lens attached without electronic connection. But when there is a non-Fuji lens with electronic aperture control, attached via a smart adapter, then the GFX panics and embeds it's standard prime lens profile (63mm lens), just in case... ;)
It took Steelsring and Techart a while to bring out firmware updates that convinced the GFX that everything is fine and there is no need to do that.
Marc
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Marc..... so good to hear!! Thanks much for posting. :)
Victor
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@ Bo Dez
the EF 200f2 L IS works very well on the GFX
enclosed an example at open aperture (@ ISO 800)
(full and corner crop)
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Do check out the Pentax 645 A* 300 F4.
I've used this on the 645z (and my 5dsr) and it's a stunning lens.
The manual focus version can be had for under $500 CAD from my memory.
I believe they may have made a matching 1.4x as well.
I was going to mention that too. The lens and 1.4x are great on my 645D and if I ever get a GFX body I'm planning on keeping it for that.
Before that one I had a Pentax 67 300/4 that was also great but it's huge.
I think this shot was with the 67 version. Not much difference in the 645 version's rendering.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1648/25658526374_7cbebddaa0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/F6mDXL)
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Has anyone tried Contax 350/4 and/or Hassy 300/4 on the GFX?
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Contax 645 350f4 and Contax N 400f4 (EF converted) both work well (= good IQ across the frame from open aperture) with Steel adapters (auto aperture works fine, autofocus did not work with early firmware half year ago).
Chris