Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Conner999 on June 21, 2008, 12:46:07 pm
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While going paging thru this forum, I keep seeing references to the Mamiya 120/4 manual focus macro. Phrases like 'scary sharp', the lens being a 'must have' for Mamiya shooters, etc. repeatedly come up.
With no real MTF or photodo data on Mamiya lenses out there, my curiosity has been tickled.
I know it as a floating element and ED glass, but as a baseline, for those that have used it , how would you compare it against it's smaller 35mm brethren (about which I am more familiar) such as the CZ 100 MP, the Leica 100 APO, EF 100, Nikon 105 VR, etc.,?
Samples would be sweet.
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Hi,
I have shot most of my studio MF work with the 120MM macro f4, it's indeed a must buy.
You can't really compare it to 35mm lenses, the whole system is different, so probarbly the MTF values would be lower (don't know that for sure).
What I do know is that on my 645 the 120mm macro is one of the best lenses I own, although it's very sharp it also has a very nice contrast and is reasonably flare resistant.
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Frank, which version of the this lens do you have?
There are at least 3 variants of out there now,
The original with the aperture ring which allow user to manually stop the lens down
The newer version that has no aperture ring
The latest D version, which looks just like the version without the aperture ring, just has the D label.
Thanks
Paul C
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I have the old manual aperture version and I agree it's a must have lens.
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I own not the newest but one before.
The newest has new software but I think the lens performs the same.
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I have the original lens too. "Scary Sharp" would be a good way to put it. Got mine off of eBay -- complete with some little kids glitter glue on part of the barrel. Optically though, it's a babe.
Dave
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I have the original 120 f/4 macro too. It is an amazing lens. I often use it with tubes. It is an excellent performer.
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Interesting input. Is it sharp starting WO or does it need a couple of stops? CA control?
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Interesting input. Is it sharp starting WO or does it need a couple of stops? CA control?
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The DoF is very thin wide open at closest focusing distance but the part in focus is razor sharp. I have never seen any CA in my images with this lens.
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I own one as well. Definitely the sharpest lens I have. Of course DOF will be shallow wide open but isn't that the point?
Works great for portrait and landscape as well as macro if you want incredible details.
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Ok, here's a an interesting twist - anyone try mounting one on a Nikon/Canon/Leica DSLR?
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i use the old one on a canon 1dsmk3 with a photodiox adaptor. nice and sharp, but not any better than the canon 100 macro or the sigma, but slower. sweet to have the switch for the diagram, so a f-stop can be preset and the diaphragm can be opened for focussing.
the reason i bought this lens was to use it on a mirex adaptor to have a 1:1 macro tilt&shift lens. the one i ordered had a problem which is currently being fixed.
stefan
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Stefan - thanks. Having used Hassy before on my 1ds2, I do like the pre-set aperture function. Makes stop down easier. Am thinking if as good or better than Canon at same price - advantage as you say can be used with T/S adapter.
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if you want to use it straight on and at macro distances, i'd always choose a dedicated mount, as it is very heavy and focussing is nearly impossible stopped down. the canon 100 is agreat lens and not too expensive. the only reason i have the mamiya is for tilting