Topic: Mamiya 55-110mm zoom lens (Read 8292 times)

Henry Goh · « **on:** June 14, 2009, 11:51:12 am »

I intend to use this range forcommercial work. Is this lens able to deliver?

Anyone using this lens for advertising or product shoots?

Thanks.

Dick Roadnight · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2009, 12:19:09 pm »

Quote from: Henry Goh

I intend to use this range forcommercial work. Is this lens able to deliver?

Anyone using this lens for advertising or product shoots?

Thanks.

What digiback are you using?

I have the Hasselblad 50-110, and it would be nice to set up a test... but I have a Sinar P3 and a set of apo-digitars for commercial/pictorial work.

jonstewart · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2009, 12:37:59 pm »

Pics are undersaturated and not as sharp, compared with any of the primes. Used it at the weekend for personal shooting, and forgot how 'different' it was from the primes. Wouldn't dream of using it for any shots for clients. That might seem a little harsh, but I just wouldn't!

EDIT: Thats shooting to a P45

Frank Doorhof · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:03:55 pm »

It's an ok lens when stopped down a bit under good light, but I would much rather prefer the primes.
in my collection of lenses it's the worst one.

Snook · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2009, 02:33:20 pm »

I really do not like mine at ALL.
Also no mentions that it DOES NOT focus at all close to subject. Not even at a decent distance.
This is the worst lens I have shot with the AFD.

Speaking of which I really like my 120 macro and I use a 80 1.9 for more "arsty" stuff.
But what is the next best lens.
I have the 35mm but do not really like it either.
Any suggestions. I have the 80mm 2.8 but never use it either.
Which is better the 55mm AF or the 45 AF? I never shoot above 120mm so I would like to try another lens.
Sure wish they'd get off their asses and make a decent Zoom and those Leaf shutter lens they have been promising for a decade!
Snook

As Jon Stewart asked.
Mine is on a P30.

marcmccalmont · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2009, 03:27:30 pm »

I just must be lucky because my Mamiya 55-110 is very sharp and contrasty with a P30. I have a 35, 80, 120, and 150 prime for comparison and the 55-110 is my most used lens then the 35 then the 105-210 not sure what others are seeing but I love my 55-110 (this is with manually focusing)
Marc

Anders_HK · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2009, 04:03:56 pm »

Quote from: marcmccalmont

I just must be lucky because my Mamiya 55-110 is very sharp and contrasty with a P30. I have a 35, 80, 120, and 150 prime for comparison and the 55-110 is my most used lens then the 35 then the 105-210 not sure what others are seeing but I love my 55-110 (this is with manually focusing)
Marc

Hi, Mine is sharp as well, and AF 55-110. I use with Aptus 65. My 28mm is the sharpest I have but I find the 55-110 perfect fine. Obvious there is a price difference between the two (thus I am sure the 75-150 is sharper but as 28mm is $$$). I sold my 35mm early last year because with Aptus 65 it was not sharp enough while with ZD it was fine. I think my 55-110 is probably a at least as sharp as my 80 f/1.9 if that gives an indication. I do prefer the 80 f/1.9 due shallower DOF and lighter weight, but different tools...

If I am correct, I believe there are some sample variations of the 55-110.

Regards
Anders

mcfoto · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2009, 06:25:04 pm »

Quote from: Henry Goh

I intend to use this range forcommercial work. Is this lens able to deliver?

Anyone using this lens for advertising or product shoots?

Thanks.

We shot this with an Aptus 33 & 55-110....
http://www.montalbetticampbell.com/#a=0&am...amp;s=1&p=0
http://www.montalbetticampbell.com/#a=0&am...amp;s=2&p=0
I think the it was around f11 which is what we normally shoot in the studio. I paid $850.00 used & I think it is a very use full lens to have. it was also great for hand held work with the ZD camera, very light weight (870gms) especially when you compare it to the HC 50-110 zoom (1650 gms).
Denis

Jack Varney · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2009, 08:40:36 pm »

I have found the 55-110 sharp enough that I seldom put the 55AF or 80AF 2.8 on the camera. I use a P45+ back.

Henry Goh · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2009, 11:21:32 pm »

Thanks everyone for your help.

I guess this is not one lens that you can order without trying first.

etrump · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:28:02 am »

I find the 55-110 to be sharp as well but I rarely shoot wider than f/8. P30 images shot with this lens can be printed 40x50 with very good results the P45 even better.

jing q · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2009, 02:01:02 am »

Quote from: etrump

I find the 55-110 to be sharp as well but I rarely shoot wider than f/8. P30 images shot with this lens can be printed 40x50 with very good results the P45 even better.

just did a test with it.
don't bother with the 110mm range (supersupersoft)
80mm is ok,mediocre.
didn't really check the 55mm.

jonstewart · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2009, 02:28:44 am »

I guess some of us have real bad copies!

It would have been interesting to know what sensor people were using.

Henry Goh · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2009, 04:05:38 am »

I think if Mamiya is able to get their 45-90mm zoom properly designed and manufactured, then, they can drop the 55-110mm altogether.

Fingers crossed.

jing q · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2009, 05:30:18 am »

Quote from: Henry Goh

I think if Mamiya is able to get their 45-90mm zoom properly designed and manufactured, then, they can drop the 55-110mm altogether.

Fingers crossed.

don't cross your fingers too hard.
I waited for it until my fingers bled haha

jonstewart · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2009, 06:05:55 am »

Quote from: Henry Goh

I think if Mamiya is able to get their 45-90mm zoom properly designed and manufactured, then, they can drop the 55-110mm altogether.

Fingers crossed.

Ahhh! That explains it. Mamiya obviously dropped mine before I got it!

Dick Roadnight · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:15:02 am »

I think that the lenses are probably consistent... has anyone who thinks that this lens is sharp seen the results alongside those from a Rodenstock HR or a Schneider Apo-Digitar on a 50 or 60 Mega-pixel back, at 100%?

etrump · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2009, 01:20:43 pm »

Quote from: Dick Roadnight

I think that the lenses are probably consistent... has anyone who thinks that this lens is sharp seen the results alongside those from a Rodenstock HR or a Schneider Apo-Digitar on a 50 or 60 Mega-pixel back, at 100%?

Good question but I wouldn't expect them to be anywhere close. Surely none of the film glass, zoom or prime, could compare favorably to a digital specific lens from either of these MFG.

When deciding if a lens is sharp or not I tend to take the fact that it is film and zoom into consideration. Even so, I find the 55-110 at 110 close enough in sharpness to the 120 prime that you would be hard pressed to see the difference on a properly sharpened image. Perfectly usable for large format (single frame printed 30x40-40x60) landscape work which is what I do.

I have done resolution chart comparisons with the 55-110, 80, and 120 with the P30 but have not tested them against my schneider glass or the P45 since I recently received both. The P30 is noticeably soft compared to the P45. When I get my P65 next month I will go through the process again and will include the digitar glass in that mix for comparison.

jonstewart · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2009, 03:48:31 pm »

I very informally compared the Schneider 80N against the Mamiya 80 (af, but not D), and the 55-110@80. The quality of the images was in the same order.

I'm not sure that it's fair comparing the 55-110 against the Schneider; it's like comparing an MPV against a Ferrari. A Ferrari can go quick, but where do you put the kids?

Henry Goh · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2009, 01:27:50 am »

I would really appreciate if we kept to my original question and not go off thread.

Thank you.

Now, anyone else can say they have a sharp copy of this lens?

Author Topic: Mamiya 55-110mm zoom lens (Read 8292 times)

Snook