my 50mm RZ lens is soft...

[elliotnewman]

I bought it off ebay (for �185) very cheap deal! But I have noticed that around the edges of

my scans I see it becoming soft. Its a gradual fade from about half way from the centre of the

frame. Now I am sure that its not my scannner as I dont have this problem with my 180mm

lens. Also the grain is still in focus around those areas so this makes me think I have bought

a bit of a dodgy lens :(

 

Do Mamiya offer a service for this? I presume for them just to look at it will cost almost the

price of another one off ebay... Or does anybody have any suggestions/advice? Is the 50mm a

little softer around the edges? Or should I expect lazer sharp images across the entire frame?

(which I do seeing as its a pro lens)

[danny_liao]

The regular 50mm is known to have soft edges. That's why many prefer the 65 or the 50 ULD version.

[elliotnewman]

Really? well maybe that expains it. I will try and give a sample to show you... watch this space

for a link I will upload it into my gallery...

[joseph_linzner]

Howdy Elliott. This may seem rather obvious, but, did you adjust the floating element in the front of your lens? The reason I am asking is that a lot of people purchase this lens from a previous owner and fail to get the instructions on the use of the floting element. I find that the proper adjustment makes a world of difference on my negatives. Other possible concerns are use of poor quality filters and lastly there is a matter of the lens hood. Are you using an original Mamiya hood which is shaped to give coverage for the 6x7 negative. I have a similar lens and have no problems in getting 20x24 inch prints in sharp focus.

[elliotnewman]

ok so take a look at this image:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/3979515

 

the bottom half is the centre of the frame and the top half is the far left of the frame. You can

notice there a huge difference in sharpness...

[elliotnewman]

Hi Joseph. Thanks for the reply. I did not get the manual with the lens - how do I adjust the

floating element? Maybe I should do a search for the manual online... I am sure I will be able

to find a pdf of it.

[blakley]

I know it's elementary, but was the subject matter at the edges of the frame at the same distance from the camera as the subject matter at the center? If not, you may just be seeing the effects of depth of field.

[pavelp]

<i>how do I adjust the floating element? </i><br /><br />

 

Just set to the same distance that you read of the distance scale after you focus. If in hurry, you can leave it at the infinity.

[desmond_kidman]

IF this is the ULD, and if the subjuct matter is at the same distance, there is something severely wrong.

 

If this is not the ULD, then the lens is living up to the reputation of the older 50 and many Mamiya lenses, that being soft and inconsitent.

[elliotnewman]

Well I think I must have the old 50mm lens becuase I have now adjusted the floating element

of the lens - matched the focal distance and I am still getting this problem.

 

take a look at the sample image. not such a bargain after all!

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/4008352