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Author Topic: New to medium format  (Read 14097 times)

marcmccalmont

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New to medium format
« on: July 19, 2007, 05:08:48 pm »

I am new to medium format and am planning on assembling a used Mamiya 645 AFD II outfit over the next few months (I have the 645 AFD II).
1) Lenses, I am planning on the following:
AF 35mm F3.5
AF 55-110 F4.5
AF 105-210 F4.5 ULD
AF APO 300 F4.5 if
Are these as sharp as the primes? Any suggestions?

2) Digital Back,
Beer budget and Champaign tastes so probably the Mamiya zd back unless for under $10K there is a used alternative that would be a better choice?

3) I will use this mostly for landcape photography here in Hawaii.

Thanks
Marc
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Marc McCalmont

david o

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« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2007, 07:01:53 pm »

I have the 35mm. Not for long and from the first contact sheet I have it looks pretty sharp. As it was not done on glossy paper I checked the neg and I don't see anything wrong, still better than my 24mm Nikon. Though tomorrow I will have more to look at.
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BernardLanguillier

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« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2007, 11:18:00 pm »

The 35 is a decent lens, but not quite as sharp as the new 28mm or the 55-110 for instance.

Regards,
Bernard

SeanPuckett

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« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2007, 08:23:17 am »

This is pretty much my plan as well.  I've run right off the resolution limits of my DSLR even with my own sharpening and demosaicing software.  I need more bits in all dimensions.  Better lenses wouldn't hurt, either.  The ZD+AFD combination looks very good from a price and capability standpoint, and has an excellent upgrade path for the future unlike integrated cameras.  I really do need to drop by Joe's shop and do a hands-on, but it's a pain to get downtown during the week (basically I have to kiss off the entire day).
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doncody

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« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2007, 08:41:13 am »

Quote
This is pretty much my plan as well.  I've run right off the resolution limits of my DSLR even with my own sharpening and demosaicing software.  I need more bits in all dimensions.  Better lenses wouldn't hurt, either.  The ZD+AFD combination looks very good from a price and capability standpoint, and has an excellent upgrade path for the future unlike integrated cameras.  I really do need to drop by Joe's shop and do a hands-on, but it's a pain to get downtown during the week (basically I have to kiss off the entire day).
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129128\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Who or what is "Joes" shop?

Thanks,
Don
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david o

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« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2007, 08:43:02 am »

Vistek in Toronto
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MarkWelsh

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« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2007, 11:27:37 am »

Ditto. Seems to be a few of us in the same boat!
I have some MF lenses already; others to decide on . .

Pentax FA 35mm or Mamiya 35mm?
The Pentax is doubtless a much better lens, but I'm still awaiting my Pentax -> Mamiya adaptor to test the pair together.

Hartblei 45mm Super Rotator or Mamiya 45mm f2.8 or Distagon 50mm or Mamiya 50 Shift?
I'd love the SR to be as good as the others because of its versatility. I have the first two, but not the last two. Will test them all and let you know how I get on!

Late 4-digit Biometar 80mm f2.8 in adapted Pentacon 6 mount.
Beautiful, beautiful lens. You can keep your 'kit' offering.

Mamiya 120 Macro
Obviously.

Mamiya 55-110mm AF
Also seems like a no-brainer

Mamiya 200mm f2.8 Apo
En route . . . not yet tried.

I still have an Arsat 30 knocking around from an earlier experiment: it will be interesting to see how that compares to the Mamiya 24mm and the 28mm f4.5 when budget permits.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2007, 11:30:55 am by MarkWelsh »
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ternst

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« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2007, 02:05:41 pm »

Mark:

I shoot with the Mamiya 35mm quite a bit and would love to get a better lens - what Pentax > Mamiya adapter is available?

Tim Ernst in Arkansas
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jonstewart

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« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2007, 07:53:32 am »

Quote
Ditto. Seems to be a few of us in the same boat!
I have some MF lenses already; others to decide on . .


I'm in that boat as well

FYI Frank Doorhof has posted some nice photos at DPReview

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=24087319

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=23973274

Enjoy!

Jon
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Jon Stewart
 If only life were so simple.

SeanPuckett

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« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2007, 10:07:53 am »

Frank has a stunning eye for lighting but that doesn't change the fact that the ZD back seems to be producing extremely rich and subtle skin/gradient toning with very little mottling or hue variation.  This, and the availability of superior lenses, are the main reasons for my interest in the device.
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david o

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« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2007, 11:29:08 am »

Sean have you been in Toronto to play with the ZD yet?
I' like to go but I am in Mtl and I have no time so far to make such a ride
I would like to see RAW files of it.
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SeanPuckett

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« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2007, 12:29:56 pm »

Quote
Sean have you been in Toronto to play with the ZD yet?
I' like to go but I am in Mtl and I have no time so far to make such a ride
I would like to see RAW files of it.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129397\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

David,

The previous week was full of post processing, and the coming week my transport is otherwise spoken for.  So, it will be another week before I can contemplate going down to TO to exercise the ZD back.  Which is, on reflection, entirely convenient because I need to go by DryTac in Vaughn and pick up laminating film.  So, in a week more or less I should have my own feedback and a sample file or two.
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MarkWelsh

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« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2007, 04:39:04 pm »

Quote
Mark:

I shoot with the Mamiya 35mm quite a bit and would love to get a better lens - what Pentax > Mamiya adapter is available?

Tim Ernst in Arkansas
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129195\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I'm working on one myself now: hope to have a functional prototype in a week or so. An unnamed manufacturer in the Far East is also looking into the feasibility of producing the adaptor on a larger scale. Watch this space . . .
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David Blankenship

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« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2007, 02:05:39 pm »

Quote
Frank has a stunning eye for lighting but that doesn't change the fact that the ZD back seems to be producing extremely rich and subtle skin/gradient toning with very little mottling or hue variation.  This, and the availability of superior lenses, are the main reasons for my interest in the device.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129388\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Sean,

Frank has produced prevous good work, the the latest images posted I would have to disagree on. The color seems to be way too blue in the images with the mid tone gray background, and the skin tones are starting to approach a smooth plastic like texture of some of the 35mm DSLR's.  When Frank shoots on a white or black background,  the skin tone rendering seems to improve a lot.  I would like to see other photographer's posting some high lighting ratio photos of people from the Mamiya ZD back or camera please!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,
db
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david o

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« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2007, 08:33:14 pm »

it reminds me the vinyl time when you could listen to all of them to make sure that what you bought was what you could like... now with CD the only one you can listen are the one you hear thousand times a day on radio...
almost the same with DB...
(it is a little bit exaggerate but you catch what I mean)  
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Bernd B.

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« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2007, 08:29:59 am »

Quote
I'm working on one myself now: hope to have a functional prototype in a week or so. An unnamed manufacturer in the Far East is also looking into the feasibility of producing the adaptor on a larger scale. Watch this space . . .
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129430\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I´ve got lots of  Pentax 645 lenses. An adapter to use them on a Mamiya 645 AFD would be very attractive for me. Will your home-made have an automatic aperture or will you have to stop down manually?
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MarkWelsh

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« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2007, 08:59:35 am »

My prototype (providing it works: the parts are still en route) will be stop down only. However, the manufacturer I mentioned earlier is investigating an auto aperture version. However, I've used lots and lots of adapted lenses on the Canon, and don't know of a single AE conversion short of Conurus full mount surgery for the Contax N range which also retains autofocus.

It seems quite possible to develop a similar auto-everything conversion for Pentax lenses, but it won't be a project I'll be undertaking any time soon. Stop down, like the MF Mamiya lenses, will be good enough for me: I just want to pair up my FA35 and ZD back!
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Bernd B.

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« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2007, 09:13:03 am »

Quote
My prototype (providing it works: the parts are still en route) will be stop down only. However, the manufacturer I mentioned earlier is investigating an auto aperture version. However, I've used lots and lots of adapted lenses on the Canon, and don't know of a single AE conversion short of Conurus full mount surgery for the Contax N range which also retains autofocus.

It seems quite possible to develop a similar auto-everything conversion for Pentax lenses, but it won't be a project I'll be undertaking any time soon. Stop down, like the MF Mamiya lenses, will be good enough for me: I just want to pair up my FA35 and ZD back!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129688\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

WHO is this manufacturer? Does he have a website?

Such an adapter would enable me to enter the Mamiya 645AF-Sytem at very low cost, as I have already all the pentax lenses.

So this information is pretty HOT for me.
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ternst

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« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2007, 12:06:02 pm »

Mark:

Yup, your adapter might start another rush for the Pentax 35mm like the Zeiss 21mm to Canon party of a couple years ago. Stop down would be fine for me too, and I hope you are developing this with an eye towards a bit of distribution...

Tim Ernst in Arkansas
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MarkWelsh

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« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2007, 01:27:11 pm »

I've been asked not to say who the manufacturer is: Frank Doorhof referred this guy to me who quite independently of my efforts was trying to get a FA35 and other Pentax glass adapted for his ZD. He bumped into the MD of a certain far eastern manufacturer of after-market photographic goods in his local Mamiya dealer and struck up a conversation about his adaptor project.

Said MD took a genuine interest, and it appears that they are looking into official development of an adaptor. Needless to say, this is all – quite literally – Chinese whispers at present, and my 'contact' has asked me not to divulge any specifics at this stage of the process.

I am somewhat skeptical that an auto adaptor can be made at all, but he doesn't share my pessimism on this point! In a few days – postman willing – I should have the bits to put together a prototype. If it works, I would be prepared to put together another one for board members. If there was sufficient demand, I'd be quite happy to look into subcontracting small scale production to a specialist, or publishing instructions on my site ( http://www.16-9.net/fa35.html is interesting!) to enable others to make their own.

All I want – all I really, really want – is to get my ZD together with my FA35! I have always considered this lens to be the exact MF equivalent of the Zeiss 21mm. Remember about four years ago when it too was undervalued and underappreciated, but worked like nothing else on the 1Ds Mark I?
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