Mamiya 7II and the 65mm.

[Agent 13]

What are your thoughts on aperture on the 65mm lens. I used it wide open and wasn't happy with overall sharpness. Wasn't fuzzy and I'm new to rangefinders and from what I've read this lens is a stunner stopped down,so how far. I am using it at f22 and haven't processed the current roll of 3200 shot at 1600 but I know i want to use other slower film handheld. I guess I am asking what is the min aperture I can use and get the most from this lens. F8,11,16 etc. Thanks.

 

[Matus]

If you are not happy with the results wide open than you should first make sure that the rangefinder is properly calibrated. Make some test shots wide open of something like a fence (from a side) and mark/remember on which pole you focused. f/4 sounds slow, but at around 1m focus distance on 6x7 camera there is not much in sharp focus.

Use something like Provia 100 for the tests and check the results with a stronger (8x or more) loupe on a light-table.

Of course it is well possible that you have a 'bad' copy of the lens. I would too expect it to be sharp wide open.

 

[EdSawyer]

apertures

apertures

f/8 and f/11 are the best apertures for this lens.

 

[Bob Michaels]

The 65mm has been my standard lens for my Mamiya 7 for at least 6-7 years. I have a friend who also uses the 65mm exclusively.

This lens is incredibly sharp from wide open to stopped down. I can assure you that you need not worry about what f stops is best for this lens.

Note: my comments are solely based only on years of experience in using this lens, not what I read on the internet.

 

[Agent 13]

Thanks for the comments. Guess it is possible my calibration is off a little or im not used to the range finder style of focus and have misjudged focus. The focus was not terrible it just seemed not perfect. I will shoot at atleast f8 until i can afford a cla of both.

 

[rpsawin]

The 65mm has been my standard lens for my Mamiya 7 for at least 6-7 years. I have a friend who also uses the 65mm exclusively.

This lens is incredibly sharp from wide open to stopped down. I can assure you that you need not worry about what f stops is best for this lens.

Note: my comments are solely based only on years of experience in using this lens, not what I read on the internet.

The last line of your response is one of my all time favorite!!! LOL

Best regards,

Bob

 

[Moto-Uno]

Not sure if this is stating the obvious,but how sharp would you
expect that speed of film to be? Regards,Peter

 

[Agent 13]

Was acros 100 for the original shots. I moved to the 3200 for hand held speed. I am not expecting miracles with that film but acros should be better than I had achieved