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Which Medium Format Lenses Are Giving You Your Most Satisfying Images?


steve salmons

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<p>I ask this question because I am curious to know from the experience of others whether it is your most expensive or most recent acquisitions which are giving you your happiest results. Given that lighting and exposure, familiarity and ease of use also play a large part in determining our most pleasing outcomes, what lenses are consistently giving you that extra "je ne sais quoi"?<br>

My own list from recent experience is as follows:</p>

<ol>

<li>The 80mm f2.8 Biometar on my Rolleiflex 2.8 B: <img src="../photo/9856543" alt="" /> </li>

<li>My (fairly recently acquired) 120mm f5.6 Planar T* C for my Hasselblad CM: <img src="../photo/9910983" alt="" /> </li>

<li>A 50mm f6.3 Sekor used on a Mamiya Press that I keep just to use this lens with: <img src="../photo/9543611" alt="" /> </li>

</ol>

<p>Interested to hear (and see) just what makes your favourite lens, your favourite lens.</p>

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<p>I'm beginning to see why people like the classic 80mm on Hasselblads, but I think the classic three lens combination (50mm, 80mm, and 150mm) is sweet. However, I am tempted by a used macro 120mm sitting in my local camera store.</p><div>00UlCG-180815584.jpg.cb19b4a450b03b0fa5739095565c9e1e.jpg</div>
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<p>The short answer is: "the lenses that are on the camera that I am actually using to create images with."<br>

I know that sounds simplistic but sadly, I have a lot of world-class gear and very little time to get out and use it. I have Hblad 60, 100, 180 and in RZ space I have the 50 ULD, 110, and 210mmm. I have Mamiya 7II lenses in 50mm, 80mm, and 150mm.<br>

My favorites that deliver the "magic:" Hblad 100 and 180; Mamiya 7II are the 50mm and the 80mm; and in RZ space the 110 and 210mm. I really dont care for the RZ 50mm ULD.<br>

I favor short telephotos for my work. As you can see, I clearly need to buy another medium format camera system!</p>

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<p>On the Rollei 6000/Hy6 platform my favourite lenses are the 40mm f3.5, the 80mm f2.8 and the 110mm f2. They are all fantastic lenses in their own way. I have the 150mm f4 and 180mm f2.8 as well and they are excellent but they are generally a bit long for my needs. There are others I haven't tried yet which look interesting, such as 50mm f2.8, 60mm f3.5 and the 90mm f4 Makro</p>
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<p>Having used a combination of SWC, 60, 100, 120, and 250 as my set for a long time, then switching out the 60 and 100 for a 50 and 80, I think I prefer the 60 and 100 combo, but the 50mm is one of my favorite lenses. Less than infinity, the 120 is hard to beat. It is so biting sharp close up, but I'm not a big fan of it at infinity. I love the 350mm if you like longer lenses. Though I sold my 2000 FC many years ago, the 110mm f/2 may be my favorite lens of all.</p>
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<p>Mr. Salmons...</p>

<p>For sharpness I'd pick the Mamiya 7II with the 80mm F:4 lens. See:</p>

<p><a href="../photodb/folder.tcl?folder_id=937554">http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder.tcl?folder_id=937554</a></p>

<p>Pictures were from first test shots/roll and were underexposed. Velvia 50. Lens was sharper than film could capture. One must tap on the second picture twice, once from the thumbnail and again on the picture itself to see it full sized for a pixel per pixel perspective at 4000PPI from a Nikon 9000. The cut is from an area near the center of the full frame.</p>

<p>Tom Burke</p>

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<p>75mm Planar on my Rolleiflex 3.5F. A very close second is the 80mm T* Planar on my Hasselblad. Then the 150mm T* Sonnar for Hasselblad. They make beautiful b&w negatives. I've seen astounding results from a 120mm Hasselblad Macro-Planar lens and a digital back. </p>
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<p>My landscape lens and most used is the Mamiya Sector 65mm F4 but the one that always give top results and is really my favourite and razor sharp as already said is the Mamiya-Sector 140 macro<br>

Here is a landscape shot with it compressing the distances in the mountains.<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/9669316">http://www.photo.net/photo/9669316</a><br>

From the same point with the 65 different compostion.<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/9668167&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/9668167&size=lg</a><br>

I am very happy with both never tried an 80mm on MF.</p>

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