Sony A7R with Mamiya 645 lens comparisons

[rhern213]

I just bought a fotodioX E-mount to Mamiya 645 adapter and figured it would be interesting to show some quick comparisons.

So here are the lenses I used:
M645 50mm Shift
FE 55mm 1.8
Phase One 150mm 2.8
Zeiss Contax 100-300mm

Primarily the comparison is between the 50 and 55 lenses because the 150 can only be used stopped down at 2.8, so it wasn't really fair. The rest of the lenses were all shot at f8.

All the files were converted from raw to jpeg in C1 with 0 modifications.

My purpose is to see what kind of performance I can expect from the Mamiya lenses for the A7R2. So hopefully I can get excellent IQ and can use them for double duty.

The focus point was on the head of the angel on the right.

So here you go!

M645 50mm Shift


FE 55mm 1.8


Phase 150mm 2.8


Zeiss Contax 100-300mm


M645 50mm Shift 100%


FE 55mm 1.8 100%


Phase 150mm 2.8 100%


Zeiss Contax 100-300mm 100%

 

[Thomas Fallon]

I am wondering what you thought on your tests. Is the 55 a lot sharper than the Mamiya 50? I bought the same Fotodiox unit and tested with a Hassy lens. My thoughts were that something was gained in the stitching process but that my Zeiss (Canon mount) lenses on the Sony were superior to the Hassy lens. I also tried another adapter using the Sony A7r on a view camera with LF lenses. I reached the same conclusion there. I was looking for a panacea and did not find it, at least to my eyes.

 

[Pradeep]

We've all been through an exercise like this.

The A7R has been a revolution in camera technology with its ability to host just about any lens on the market, all it needs is the right adapter. Some are a success, others leave a lot to be desired. However, it is a lot of fun to try different things since we are always looking to do better.

On a workshop last year I had the opportunity to run my Canon/Sony/Leica lenses against Canon-mount Zeiss primes that a friend was kind enough to let me try. It was an interesting exercise and I found that the Zeiss were really superb, even holding their own against my Leica glass (except for the Summilux 50 which was the sharpest). However, my Zeiss M-mount lenses are terrible on the A7R.

I wonder how the modern Batis lenses would compare.

On my own little 645Z vs 5DSR test, I found even the legacy Pentax glass to do better than the best Canon has to offer. So there is no doubt that MF lenses are generally better. The problem is getting adapters right and being able to use AF.

There is no single best solution and I suppose we will continue to experiment. That is the fun part......

 

[rhern213]

I found both the Mamiya 50 shift and the 55 FE to be practically identical in IQ. I didn't expect anything more from the Mamiya lens considering the 55 FE is about as good as it gets. So I was very happy that it was just as good, and on top of that I can shift .

I am a bit disappointed in the IQ from the 150 2.8. Even stopped down and adapted I would've expected it to be perfect, but maybe it's just the DOF playing tricks on my eyes. Regardless I don't think I'll ever use that lens adapted so it doesn't really matter to me.

I'm probably going to swap my Mamiya 120mm macro from the Auto Aperture to the M645 version so I can fully use it on the A7R2.

The Zeiss Contax is also using a fotodioX adapter and it's incredible.

I am wondering what you thought on your tests. Is the 55 a lot sharper than the Mamiya 50? I bought the same Fotodiox unit and tested with a Hassy lens. My thoughts were that something was gained in the stitching process but that my Zeiss (Canon mount) lenses on the Sony were superior to the Hassy lens. I also tried another adapter using the Sony A7r on a view camera with LF lenses. I reached the same conclusion there. I was looking for a panacea and did not find it, at least to my eyes.

 

[MGrayson]

I am a bit disappointed in the IQ from the 150 2.8. Even stopped down and adapted I would've expected it to be perfect, but maybe it's just the DOF playing tricks on my eyes. Regardless I don't think I'll ever use that lens adapted so it doesn't really matter to me.

The Zeiss Contax is also using a fotodioX adapter and it's incredible.

Just look at the background roof tiles to see how much narrower the DoF is on the 150. But I also found the Pentax 150/2.8 too hard to use as a MF lens. It has a very short throw - is that the case with your lens?

The Pentax 120 macro is perfect on a FF sensor. I bet the Mamiya works really well.

Zeiss Contax lives on my A7II. Stunning glass. :thumbup:

--Matt

 

[rhern213]

Wide open yes it is, it's pretty difficult in MF. The barrel is very light to touch and move, and any movement makes a pretty significant change in DOF.

Just look at the background roof tiles to see how much narrower the DoF is on the 150. But I also found the Pentax 150/2.8 too hard to use as a MF lens. It has a very short throw - is that the case with your lens?

The Pentax 120 macro is perfect on a FF sensor. I bet the Mamiya works really well.

Zeiss Contax lives on my A7II. Stunning glass. :thumbup:

--Matt