Mamiya lenses and IQ180

[markymarkrb]

Has anyone used the MAMIYA 645 AF 55mm F2.8 LENS on a DF body and an IQ180?  I know that it is not a Schneider but are we talking terrible pictures or results with it or just about the same?  If anyone has any lists of Mamiya lenses that they use and respect or the contrary, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Mark

[Steve Hendrix]

Has anyone used the MAMIYA 645 AF 55mm F2.8 LENS on a DF body and an IQ180?  I know that it is not a Schneider but are we talking terrible pictures or results with it or just about the same?  If anyone has any lists of Mamiya lenses that they use and respect or the contrary, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Mark

A good copy of the 55mm is not a bad lens at all. I had an aerial client who rented that lens with a P65+ late last year for several weeks. It's not a Rodenstock, but it is a quality lens if you have a good one.


Steve Hendrix

[henrikfoto]

Have a look at this article:

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/lens-accessory-reviews/15710-mamiya-lens-overview.html

Henrik

[Brian Hirschfeld]

Its certainly sharp on film and one of my favorite lenses. It does indeed hold its own with digital, and I have used it on my IQ180, I may upgrade to the LS version simply because the sync speed is useful for me, but certainly not for upgraded optics.

Here are two examples with it from when I just got my camera, any lack of sharpness may be simply focusing error since I was still getting used to the system but I don't think its present in these images. Big samples avail be from the flickr -> actions -> all sizes options ::

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianhirschfeldphotography/6396126963/in/set-72157628133846667/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianhirschfeldphotography/6396124671/in/set-72157628133846667/

[lance_schad]

I have quite a few clients who are very happy with that lens. They are definitely an excellent value. As Steve said its no Rodenstock,but I have not heard any complaints with it besides that the case which is the old lens design.

Lance

[markymarkrb]

This is all great information and exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks for all of the replies.

Mark

[Kagetsu]

I use the 55mm Mamiya on my IQ160... it's okay, I prefer it more for the angle of view, but I feel a little let down by the performance... it's not bad, but it's not great either... at least in my case. I couldn't give a reason for it. Once its stopped down to f/4 it starts to perform well and very nicely around f/5.6-8.

My key fault is the sharpness fall off near the edges, and a little of the colour cast it appears to display... but these are in most cases overweighed by the other benefits of it.