I could use some advice...

[blue]

Hello all - I was hoping for some advice for the much more experienced and much more technical minds present...

I am looking at purchasing a Mamiya 7ii in hopes of taking some images during an upcoming trip to Papua New Guinea... I have some background in photography but mainly 35mm and I have never have been as techically astute as my images would allow others to believe...

Anyway I am a little daunted by the fixed lens options, well for buying the first one at least..- in terms of starting out with the 7ii - what is the best first lens??
In PNG I will primarily be shooting landscapes but I would like to be capable of taking portraits as well -
I was thinking the 65mm but would like the opinion of those who own and know the camera well...

Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[Doug]

We often think of longer lenses for portraits, but it really depends on the kind of portrait we're after. In PNG I imagine you'll want to show the context of the person, their environmnet, what they're doing, rather than a head'n'shoulders. If you'll be able to close in to 5 or 6 feet then a wider lens like the 65 or 80 would be great. Close-in would be ideal if possible because that has an impact in the photo. OTOH if you'll have to stand off at some distance then a longer lens would be needed so as not to lose the subject in the context!

I find a combination of moderately-wide and even wider most useful in travel, and seldom use the longer lenses I bring. I'd think the 80mm and 50 would be an great combo for me with that Mamiya, for both landscapes and contextual portraits.

 

[boilerdoc2]

I'm a big fan of the 150. 🙂 It's only equivalent to the 75 in 35mm. The 80 would be equal to a 40mm so that would be a great one lens does all. For scenics I have the 43 which is really wide (~21mm). Those 6x7 negs and trannys are addicting. I scan them for printing, both B&W and color. Incredible detail and tonality. The M7 is darn near silent when shooting and small for the image size. I'm hooked on it for portraits and stealth picture taking. Think of it as a Leica on steroids!
Boilerdoc

 

[tom7ii]

If I were you, I would assess what lenses you tended to use the most in 35mm for your purposes stated, and find the rough equivelant in the M7. If you cannot come to any conclusion, I would think the 80mm is the safest bet for both landscapes / portraits. Then again, that's just me (and my decision was based on the use of my 35mm lens with my Nikon 80% of the time).