Mamiya 7 lens options (loud thinking)

[k__43]

I'm looking for input here ..


I currently own the 43 and the 65 for my Mamiya 7. I really need to get rid of some stuff so I am planning to sell the 43..
However I actually bought the Mamiya for the 43mm in the first place. I just love having such a wide angle lens (in that compact size and quality) BUT I'm using the 65mm 85% of the time cos the 43 is a bit too extreme for average shooting. Or said differently I love the 43mm but I prefer what I get from the 65.

I thought of selling both lenses and get the intermediate candidate the 50mm. Stupid idea?
One advantage would be that I could actually leave the external VF at home and use the whole window of the internal VF.

The only thing that bothers me is that the 50 seems to be even a bit more costly than the 43 in the moment, meaning I wouldn't gain so much money after all.

*brain running in circles* :bang:

 

[Rob-F]

I don't have the 7, but I think I would like the 65mm, because it's the widest lens the camera has a finder frame for. So it would be quick and easy to shoot with, while still being wide enough for many shots.

 

[Katie]

My reasoning for the 65 was the same - best "standard" lens and no need for VF. That said, I couldn't ever sell the 43mm ... It's what the system is known for! I did list my 65mm, but am actually glad nobody bought it... 🙂

 

[teleparallel]

If you are happy with the 65, keep it. If you change it for a 50, you may and up with a lens that you also don't like, and have all the trouble for nothing.

Do you have the option to try the 50 for a while? If you do like, make the trade.

 

[k__43]

If you are happy with the 65, keep it. If you change it for a 50, you may and up with a lens that you also don't like, and have all the trouble for nothing.

Do you have the option to try the 50 for a while? If you do like, make the trade.

yes, trying the 50 for a short period would be great. Especially to see if it's useable w/o the VF or if framing sucks that way.
Not really possible for me in the moment tho.

Oh, and I love both lenses .. but I'm in the need for money and the 43 isn't used that much. On my last trip it was something like 20-25 rolls with the 65mm and 5 - 7 with the 43mm.

 

[Toni Nikkanen]

I wouldn't get rid of the 43mm, it's the best lens for medium format in that imaging angle ever made, you'll just be sorry later if you sold it.....

I had the 65mm originally. Then I bought the 80. Then I had to get the 43mm and to fund that, I sold the 65mm. I sometimes miss it, but I can do without as well... if I had money to spare I would buy it back though.

 

[Bobfrance]

I have the 50mm and I have to say it's an amazing lens. However I don't expect the 43mm to be any less amazing.

Personally I don't think you can use the 50mm without the external viewfinder. The FOV covered by the internal finder is not as wide as that of the external viewfinder and I think the internal finder's parallax correction will most likely make it difficult to compensate accurately.

Ironically I would love the extreme FOV offered by the 43mm, and I initially wanted the 43mm far more than the 50mm I ended up with. However now I couldn't let the 50mm go because it is such a great lens.

I took this with the 50mm and was astounded by its clarity and lack of distortion - even for a Mamiya lens. It was a two second exposure using Ilford Delta 100 at f22 on a tripod. I levelled the camera using the Viewfinder's built-in level and I haven't applied any distortion correction.


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

If you're ever in Manchester (UK) I'd be happy to let you try it...
...so long as I can have a go of your 43mm. 😉

Bob.

 

[k__43]

I have the 50mm and I have to say it's an amazing lens. However I don't expect the 43mm to be any less amazing.

Personally I don't think you can use the 50mm without the external viewfinder. The FOV covered by the internal finder is not as wide as that of the external viewfinder and I think the internal finder's parallax correction will most likely make it difficult to compensate accurately.

Ironically I would love the extreme FOV offered by the 43mm, and I initially wanted the 43mm far more than the 50mm I ended up with. However now I couldn't let the 50mm go because it is such a great lens.

I took this with the 50mm and was astounded by its clarity and lack of distortion - even for a Mamiya lens. It was a two second exposure using Ilford Delta 100 at f22 on a tripod. I levelled the camera using the Viewfinder's built-in level and I haven't applied any distortion correction.
Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

If you're ever in Manchester (UK) I'd be happy to let you try it...
...so long as I can have a go of your 43mm. 😉

Bob.

nice shot! yes the build in spirit levels are the greatest thing since sliced bread .. they should have build one into the internal finder too.

I'd totally love to swap for a couple of weeks but I'm in Berlin Germany

btw: this is one of my shots with the 43 I like the most:

``` by Kay__K, on Flickr

it has so much more drama, but the 65 has way more neutral clarity

it's like the cartoon devil and angel sitting on my shoulders

 

[Bobfrance]

That's beautifully wide! You just can't let that lens go.

Why not keep the 43mm and save up a little to get an 80mm or even the 150mm to add to your collection? They're not so costly and they expand your focal range significantly. The 80mm is my favourite general use lens and very light-weight on the camera.

 

[k__43]

That's beautifully wide! You just can't let that lens go.

Why not keep the 43mm and save up a little to get an 80mm or even the 150mm to add to your collection? They're not so costly and they expand your focal range significantly. The 80mm is my favourite general use lens and very light-weight on the camera.

😀
the idea was to sell lenses not adding more .. also the 80 is too standard .. I cover that area with my other MF cameras. And 150 is too long. I never liked shooting with tele lenses that much.

 

[Bobfrance]

You should know by now that if you come on here with a gear problem the answer will always be 'buy more gear'. 😀

 

[segedi]

I've owned both the 43, 50, 65, and 80mm. Favorite angle of view was the 65mm as I also really like 35mm in small format. And I liked he 50mm better than the 43mm. The 50 has wide angle without being too wide or distorted. But for a one lens setup, I'd still choose the 65mm. Much more versatile. And no reason you couldn't take 2-4 frames and stitch a wider angle scene.

 

[bastian a.]

If you need the money now, sell the 43mm lens and buy another one when it's possible again ...
or maybe you will get to know that you don't need it.

If I had to choose ONE of your two lenses, it would be the 65mm.

 

[k__43]

If you need the money now, sell the 43mm lens and buy another one when it's possible again ...
or maybe you will get to know that you don't need it.

If I had to choose ONE of your two lenses, it would be the 65mm.

my initial thought exactly until that idea with the 50 crossed my head.
yes, I'll probably just sell the 43mm.

 

[Markus]

I think I will never understand why people like a 35mm (65mm) lens 🙄. First: Using a lens only a few times doesn't mean you don't need it. I have the 43mm and the 50mm and Bobfrance's picture shows very good, why the 50mm is also popular. It creates this spectator-view: A lot of scenery without the wideangle distortion of the image (Not IQ). And as I have shown in the RFs Modern-Thread: Pretty Sharp image quality.

So if I were you, I would sell the 43mm and get the 50mm.

 

[k__43]

I think I will never understand why people like a 35mm (65mm) lens 🙄. First: Using a lens only a few times doesn't mean you don't need it. I have the 43mm and the 50mm and Bobfrance's picture shows very good, why the 50mm is also popular. It creates this spectator-view: A lot of scenery without the wideangle distortion of the image (Not IQ). And as I have shown in the RFs Modern-Thread: Pretty Sharp image quality.

So if I were you, I would sell the 43mm and get the 50mm.

Hi Markus, thanks for the input.

35mm is actually my favorite focal length on the Leica.
But maybe since I already have that angle covered quite decently there (cron 35) I might get a wider angle for the mamiya.

So I think I'll try to sell the 43 first .. (hoping for a decent price, I've noticed prices came down a bit). Then I'll try to borrow a 50mm and see if I like it until then I keep shooting the 65*.

*hoping for better weather in Germany to actually be able to do so 🙁

 

[Markus]

😀 I've heard that the area of germany was once (3000 years ago) known as "Nebelland" - land of fog.
What city are you from?

 

[k__43]

😀 I've heard that the area of germany was once (3000 years ago) known as "Nebelland" - land of fog.
What city are you from?

I'm from Leipzig, but live in Berlin

 

[Markus]

Ok. Unfortunatly Mamiya 7 lenses are very rare to find. I was surprised as I found a dealer, but he sells a 43mm for 900 and the ext. viewfinder for 500€.

 

[k__43]

Ok. Unfortunatly Mamiya 7 lenses are very rare to find. I was surprised when I found a dealer, but he sells a 43mm for 900 and the ext. viewfinder for 500€.

43mm lenses are found quite regularly on eeeeBay .. btw. 1400 for a used lens + VF combo is expensive or is that a new item?