Mamiya 645/80mm f/1.9 devotees?

[nikon_sam]

Another one sold today for $345.00US...that's just the lens...I've seen them as high as $400

 

[Phothomas]

Hi everyone.

I bought one today while looking for nothing special on a photo show near my hometown. It was attached to a 645 1000s. Didn´t need the body so I sold it two hours ago via a german forum. Effectively the lens cost me about 30€ ( ~39 $). A bargain, isn´t it? 🙂

Thomas

 

[dreilly]

I have one, with a 645 pro tl as a rear lens cap. I have only developed one roll from it and they came out well (from a lens perspective...they were really boring, but that was my fault!) I find it much more difficult to focus it with the AE prism than with the waist level. The latter just seems to have more of a "pop" into focus and I don't find the split-screen patch or the microprism to be particularly useful, unlike many 35mm slrs I have tried. I note others have mentioned this above. Is there another focusing screen that might work. i like having aperture priority, but not missing focus!

 

[Ken Ford]

An old thread, I know…

Ever have a single lens lead you into an entire system? It's what got me back into Leica Ms ten years ago (a 35 Cron ASPH), and I think it just dragged me into a Mamiya 645 kit.

I've always loved the rendering of this lens, but I already had a 500 C/M. A while back I decided that the 'Blad wasn't getting enough use, and that I couldn't afford the lenses I would want to keep it. So, I'm going to put it up for sale.

I don't want to walk away completely from MF, though. A small 645 kit based around the 80/1.9 will be just about perfect for how I want to use it.

I have a 645E on the way with an 80/2.8 and am going to start looking for a few other lenses, mainly a 80/1.9 and a 150/3.5. Probably a 45 or 55, too. I can scan negs on my flatbed, and if I get really inspired I can set up my Omega and go 100% wet again for the first time in decades.

I'm looking forward to this!

 

[Huss]

Nice work bringing back this thread Ken!

I bought an 80 1.9 about 6 months ago. But promptly put it in the bag and have not used it! I should. Thanks for the reminder.

At the moment I'm a bit worried about the bokeh, the examples I've seen have not exactly looked smooth and creamy, but more jarring. And if this lens is not used wide open, then might as well just use the 80 2.8.

 

[Ken Ford]

Is yours a C or N version?

 

[xayraa33]

What are the differences between the C and N versions of the Mamiya f1.9 lens?

 

[Ken Ford]

I'm still learning, but the newer N version supposedly has improved coatings.

 

[sevo]

I'm still learning, but the newer N version supposedly has improved coatings.

I don't think so - indeed I don't think they did anything with the entire N series other than change the barrel finish and alter the formula of the 55mm. At any rate the surfaces do not look different, and element count and schematics stayed the same throughout (with the above exception). If there ever was a coating change it must already have happened earlier on mid-line in the C lenses.

 

[Huss]

Is yours a C or N version?

N version that I found at KEH.

 

[Ken Ford]

sevo, I'm just repeating what I've been reading in multiple places - that the cosmetics and coatings changed with the N series. But, you know how things go on the internet! That's good info on the 55, too - from what I'm reading it's a great lens, and I'm holding out for a N version.

Huss, nice score! I'm going to hold out for a clean N myself. I've seen a few photos made with this lens with less than ideal bokeh, but others have been gorgeous. I'd like to know if it's a version difference, sample variation (doubtful) or focus distance that's the reason for the different results.

Off topic for the subject of this thread but I've already found what appears to be a minty clean 150/3.5N for silly cheap, it should be here in a week or two. Working on a 55/2.8N now, and watching for an affordable 80/1.9N...

 

[Ken Ford]

Found a 80/1.9N in what appears to be very nice condition for an affordable price - yay me! ;-)

Watch this space in a few weeks - I need to figure out how to use my scanner with 120 film.