Mamiya RB67 C 50mm f/4.5 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Gary Kim
(Professional)

Review Date
May 17, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 1 of 7

Price Paid: $670.00 from Robert White & G.W A

Summary:

This lens is awesome ,very sharp & high in contrast if u really know how this lens works & the way I control the aperture for different field of my work.Try to use a very good U.V filter like the B&W or the Heliopan.Taking picture with Reala(Fuji) or the Velvia .You can see through a good loupes that it can capture every single detail & colour that comes out so vivid .I always uses a Sekonic L778 Spotmeter or the Pentax Spotmeter F to get most accurate reading & with many colour correction filter by FujiFilm (only sell in Japan for professional only)Much better than the Lee Filter system .Just get it if u really need for landscape or interior photography.It work so well with this lens ,Two thumbs up.I have two of this 50mm C lens one is for my standby in case it break down.

Strengths:

This lens is very good at landscape & interior .It works better with F8 & F 16 in landscape.The body of this lens is make of very solid aluminium & its barrel is very smooth with no rubberise attachment on the body .This is not only piece of precision instrument but also a workhorse for me.Comparing the price I 'll pay for my other system in which I am using for my other photography work.

Weaknesses:

Not very much to complain about ,only a slight softness on F5.6 but u have to use the Floating Ring on the Barrel to get it right using test shot on the Polaroid by using the NPC MFB33 Holder for 4x5 holder for polaroid.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax 67 II,Mamiya RZ 67,Mamiya 7II,Fuji GSW 690 & GW 690 & Arca Swiss 69

Customer Service:

Customer Service is first class in the U.K & Japan If your product is bought in UK Or Japan.But have have to be a bit patient as there need to time to service & repair.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Austin
(Expert)

Review Date
March 8, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 2 of 7

Price Paid: $500.00 from Used, private party

Summary:

Overall a very good lens with high acuity: fine resolution and contrast. It appears that some of the previous reviewers for this lens have failed to use the floating element focuser properly, to enhance edge focusing when using this lens on a subject that is closer than infinity. This is a real issue that can make a subtle difference in sharpness around the edges of the image.

Strengths:

Pronounced distortion can be created as a nice effect with this lens, as with any lens angle this wide. There is no light falloff, the lens has been extremely durable. I had it ''lubed'' shortly after purchasing the lens and have not had any trouble with it in the least. Fun fun lens for landscapes and downtown cityscapes.

Weaknesses:

If you have the floating lens element in the improper position, edge sharpness can be a problem. However, this can be addressed if the photographer is attentive to the extra step in turning the ring to compensate for lens-to-subject distance. Note that this problem cannot be noticed through the viewfinder, but can be seen only in the film and prints. It is rare, and usually unnoticable in most cases. Also, this is just about the heaviest wide angle lens you can find any camera system. (All lenses for this camera require a herculean effort to carry them anywhere beyond 10 feet of the car.)

Customer Service:

Mamiya customer service is generally very good, with an online user forum that is monitored by Mamiya representatives, sometimes questions are answered by them.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Steve
(Professional)

Review Date
January 23, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 7

Price Paid: $500.00 from silvios

Summary:

This is a great lense. I can easily make a 20x24 print. The lense is very sharp with great contrast. I notice no fall off around the edges and it is sharp from edga to edge. My chromes are tack sharp. I use this lense a lot.

Strengths:

Very sharp and really easy to use. The folating element may be a bit confusing but you get used to it.

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

I use a 90,140,210,350 for the RB

Customer Service:

I never have to use custome service, the camera is built like a tank and the lenses are always great.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Guy Edwardes
(Professional)

Review Date
June 1, 2001

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.33 of 5,
3 votes

Review 4 of 7

Summary:

Don't buy this lens.

Strengths:

None

Weaknesses:

This is not a good lens. Centre resolution is fair but the edges fall away dramatically. A lot of detail is lost around the edges of a landscape photograph. I can get sharper 18"X12" prints from my 35mm transparencies. Also there is a lot of distortion, preventing level horizons.

Similar Products Used:

90mm KL lens delivers far better results

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Rating
Reviewed by: David Munson
(Expert)

Review Date
April 17, 2001

Overall Rating
2 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Review 5 of 7

Price Paid: $950.00 from KEH Camera Brokers

Summary:

If you can find a sharp example of this lens, go for it. Otherwise, I would stay away. I've heard *much* better things about the KL 65mm (intend on buying one once I get the 50mm returned), and if you can live with a not-so-wide angle of view, I would go with it. Given the price and performance, this lens is not a good value.

Strengths:

Easy to focus, lots of depth of field to work with. Also, it'll focus ridiculously close at full bellows extension.

Weaknesses:

This lens, at least the one I had, is unacceptably soft. Even enlarged only to 8x10, pictures taken with this lens are *very* soft and, if my lens is at all indicative of others of it's type, I'd be tempted to say just stay away from this lens altogether. I've heard that there are a few sharp ones floating around out there, but unless you can get your hands on one of those, I suggest you try to find an alternative optic. Also, contrast is only so-so.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya KL 127mm
Mamiya KL 250mm
Both of these lenses are very sharp and exhibit very good image characteristics.

Customer Service:

Didn't buy new, so Mamiya customer service wasn't an issue.

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