BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Traditional Film Photography

Robert F. Wilson		Mamiya RZ67 lens If I were to buy one lens for the RZ67, what lens would that be? I have a 140mm Macro lens. It would be for landscape and portraits. Thanx To love this question, log in above November 20, 2007

Alan N. Marcus		Hi Robert, A 67 camera uses roll film and produces a frame size that measures 60mm x 70mm. To select a lens focal length you need to know: A lens about equal to the diagonal measure simulates the human experience. That means the angle of view obtained will about equals to that view as seen by our unaided eye which is said to be about 53º. A camera fitted with a lens focal length about equal to the diagonal measure of the frame accomplishes this goal. Thus the three important frame measurements: 60mm or 2.36 inches wide 70mm or 2.76 inches wide 92.2mm or 3.6 inches diagonal measure (calculated using Pythagorean theorem) Thus a normal fixed lens of this format camera is about 100mm which is about 4 inches. Longer falls in the telephoto reign we might choose something over say 135mm For wide angle we would choose something shorter than 75mm. For a zoom we would choose one that centers up on 100mm. It is generally accepted that for portraiture we choose a lens 2.5 x the diagonal (Hollywood chooses 3 X). This focal length duplicates the human perspective experience of self-image i.e. the mental self image one sees via the make-up or shaving mirror. Portraits made this way sell best. Thus 2.5 x 92mm = 230mm about 9 inches The above portrait stuff is true and is derived: We shoot a frame; to preserve the true prospective the image is best viewed from a distance about equal to the focal length of the taking lens. Thus if we were to use a 9 inch lens we need to view a contact print placing it about 9 inches from our eye. We might need to use a magnifying glass to allow this to happen. The good news is, follow this rule and all distortions due to taking lens focal length are negated. The bad new is this rule is sometimes impartial to follow. However we can come close if we chose a lens 2.5 times the diagonal. As an example we use the 6x7 format camera to make a portrait using a 9 inch lens. We choose to make a print 8 inches x 10 inches. We must enlarge the 6x7 by magnifying it 3.7 times. 2.36 inch width x 3.7 = 8.7 inches 2.76 inch length x 3.7 = 10.2 inches We crop to 8x10 So the magnification factor 3.7x The viewing distance by the above rule is 3.7 magnification times the 9 inch lens = ideal viewing distance is 33 inches Consider your customer viewing his/her 8x10 on the wall or desk. Same apples to a 35mm camera: Frame is 24mm x 36mm or 0.94 inches x 1.5 inches To make 8x10 magnification required is 8.5x Image size becomes: 0.94 x 8.5 = 8 inches 1.5 x 8.5 = 12.75 inches (we crop to 8x10) The 35mm diagonal measure is 43.3mm 2.5 x 43.3 = 108mm (the recommend portraiture focal length is rounded to 105mm or 4.13 inches) If we use a 105mm lens and the magnification to make an 8x10 is 8.5 than: 4.13 inches times 8.5 inches = an ideal viewing distance of 35 inches. More marginal technical advice or gobbledygook from Alan Marcus ammarcus@earthlink.net To love this comment, log in above November 20, 2007

Christopher A. Walrath		What to say? What to say? You might . . . naw, covered that one. How about . . . nope, got that one to. Maybe . . . nope. Um, the . . . nope, got that one. I guess Alan said it all. Portrait over normal. Landscape, under, unless isolating features from the background. You're looking for a zoom that may not exist. Take two lenses and call me in the morning. Chris To love this comment, log in above November 22, 2007

Robert F. Wilson		Thanks for the response...a regular Bob Hope...lol To love this comment, log in above November 23, 2007

Justin G.		Well there's not really one lens that will cover both of your needs. And it all depends on the idea you have for the shot. Not all portraits are shot with a telephoto lens, and not all landscapes are shot with a wide angle. If I were you, already having the 140mm (which I hear is one of, if not, the sharpest lens in the Mamiya collection), I would get the 50mm for wide angle and the 250 for portraits. I wouldn't recommend the 180mm (though it is a lovely lens) for you because you already have the 140mm and they're so close. So get the 50mm and the 250mm and play with all of them for all types of shots. Best of luck! Oh, and shoot some slides with your camera. When you get them back, it's astonishing. I shoot with Astia for portraits and Velvia for landscapes. There's lots of Provia lovers in here too. (All Fuji brand I must add) To love this comment, log in above November 23, 2007

Justin G.		P.S. As soon as school gets done scanning them, I'll have a couple portraits shot on a 180mm with Fuji Astia 100F so you can see how good they look! To love this comment, log in above November 23, 2007

Robert F. Wilson		Thanks Justin. I here the negatives are breathtaking. To love this comment, log in above November 23, 2007

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here Report this Thread