Which Mamiya macro lens?
- Thread starter haring
- Start date
tomohitogo
New Member
Mamiya only makes one macro lens - the 120mm/F4 macro.
They used to make the 80mm/F4 Macro as well.
The new 120mm/F4 D macro while physically looking the same as the old 120mm/F4 Macro - now contains a micro-circuit chip-board that allows the lens to talk to the camera and also gives the RAW software (if you're shooting with a digital back system) the ability to correct inherent lens flaws (like chromatic aberration & lens distortion).
If you're using the AFDIII with film - I don't think the D has much of an impact - the only difference being able to upgrade firmware for the lens (probably to aid in better/more accurate focus confirmation). Bear in mind the macro lenses are ALL manual focus. They do NOT have AF.
I have an AFDII and have both the old 120mm/F4 and the 80mm/F4 Sekor macros. Both are beautiful lenses. The 80mm especially gives wonderfully creamy shots which are very distinctive. I have a Hasselblad 120mm/F4 coupled with a H3D and I can tell you that for food - the Mamiya 120mm/F4 gives it a really special warm quality that the Hasselblad doesn't impart (although the Hasselblad 120mm is much better at handling portraits compared to the Mamiya.)
Don't get me wrong, I love my Hassy 120mm macro. Both are good lenses, mind you - and it's just a personal observation and opinion. The Mamiya lenses can still hold their own against the very best.
They used to make the 80mm/F4 Macro as well.
The new 120mm/F4 D macro while physically looking the same as the old 120mm/F4 Macro - now contains a micro-circuit chip-board that allows the lens to talk to the camera and also gives the RAW software (if you're shooting with a digital back system) the ability to correct inherent lens flaws (like chromatic aberration & lens distortion).
If you're using the AFDIII with film - I don't think the D has much of an impact - the only difference being able to upgrade firmware for the lens (probably to aid in better/more accurate focus confirmation). Bear in mind the macro lenses are ALL manual focus. They do NOT have AF.
I have an AFDII and have both the old 120mm/F4 and the 80mm/F4 Sekor macros. Both are beautiful lenses. The 80mm especially gives wonderfully creamy shots which are very distinctive. I have a Hasselblad 120mm/F4 coupled with a H3D and I can tell you that for food - the Mamiya 120mm/F4 gives it a really special warm quality that the Hasselblad doesn't impart (although the Hasselblad 120mm is much better at handling portraits compared to the Mamiya.)
Don't get me wrong, I love my Hassy 120mm macro. Both are good lenses, mind you - and it's just a personal observation and opinion. The Mamiya lenses can still hold their own against the very best.
tomohitogo
New Member
If you're definitely going digital at some point of time with the AFDIII then get a D lens.
One thing to note is that it's hard find a used D lens because they are so good - they're rarely sold off.
ou may want to look at the Mamiya 645 DF body as well.
Good luck with your Mamiya adventures!
One thing to note is that it's hard find a used D lens because they are so good - they're rarely sold off.
ou may want to look at the Mamiya 645 DF body as well.
Good luck with your Mamiya adventures!
haring
Member
If you're definitely going digital at some point of time with the AFDIII then get a D lens.
One thing to note is that it's hard find a used D lens because they are so good - they're rarely sold off.
ou may want to look at the Mamiya 645 DF body as well.
Good luck with your Mamiya adventures!
With the the new DF body the game would start very expensive...
Do you think the RAW correction (D version of the lens) is so important? Can I correct it in post processing?
tomohitogo
New Member
RAW correction is important if you're going to be shooting a whole bunch of images with the same chromatic aberration... (just to give a typical example)With the the new DF body the game would start very expensive...
Do you think the RAW correction (D version of the lens) is so important? Can I correct it in post processing?
Correction in RAW means you don't have to muck around in Photoshop removing problems that could have been cured right from the start.
Also there will be some lens distortion that is perfected in RAW because in post-processing - it's still guesswork (eyeballing) compared to the correction data that the lens makers have already provided for right at the start.
The D lenses also make calibration and lens firmware upgrades rather easy. Saves on trips to lens service provider.
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