Mamiya 645 Pro 55mm f/2.8 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Derek Hanson
(Professional)

Review Date
December 24, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $375.00 from KEH Camera

Summary:

This is a fine lens in one of the best wide angle perspectives; 35mm focal length equivalent in 35mm SLR systems. Mamiya did it right on this lens. It is a great people lens as well as a manditory wide angle for nature and scenics.e

Strengths:

Compact, lightweight, nice rubber lens shade, sharp, great color reproduction on Provia 100F. Very affordable, and there are many of them on the used market...

Weaknesses:

None. There is an ever-so-slight image quality fall off wide open (This could just be my imagination), but at all other aperatures its razor! I almost never shoot it wide open but would not hessitate to do so. Wish Mamiya had half-f/stop clicks on their lenses but not a big deal at all.r

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 55mm, equally sharp but 5 times the pricee

Customer Service:

Haven't needed any.(

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Rating
Reviewed by: rolochavez
(Professional)

Review Date
March 27, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $350.00 from Camera store.

Summary:

Great for group shots at weddings and social events. Excellent for outdoor scenics too.

Strengths:

Sharpness, small and light weight, non-rotating front element.

Weaknesses:

None.

Similar Products Used:

35mm f/2 Nikon.

Customer Service:

Not needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Lawrence Impey
(Expert)

Review Date
August 27, 2001

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 4

Summary:

Light and sharp with a good maximum aperture. However, the DoF markings are wildly optimistic and by my calculations out by a couple of stops. If you want sharpness and you use the DoF markings, pretend that f11 is f5.6 etc.

Strengths:

Very sharp

Weaknesses:

Mechanical problem with auto diaphragm (sticks) - returned to Mamiya for repair

Similar Products Used:

60mm Zeiss Distagon

Customer Service:

Good

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Rating
Reviewed by: Bob Fleming
(Professional)

Review Date
March 24, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid: $300.00 from Schiller's, St. Louis

Summary:

An incredibly sharp, compact lens at a very good price. Hands down, one of Mamiya's best 645 lenses.

Strengths:

Small, fast, sharp; uses 58mm filters. One of Mamiya's sharpest 645 lenses, easily their sharpest W.A.

Weaknesses:

55/2.8N has cheaper build quality and compressed focusing scale when compared to 55/2.8S

Similar Products Used:

45/2.8 not as sharp;
35/3.5 even less so.
55/2.8 compares well to Hassy 50/4

Customer Service:

Best in the business.

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