Mamiya 645 – Legendary cine lenses on a budget – Epic Episode #8

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Ever thought about using Medium Format glass for filming?
"Interstellar" and "The Dark Knight Rises" do so on IMAX cameras.
Mamiya 645 lenses are surprisingly affordable and future proof in a market trending toward larger sensors... and they look absolutely gorgeous. A real alternative for modern Mirrorless Full Frame hybrids, for Large Format cine cams like the Arri Alexa 65 and Alexa LF, the RED Monstro, Sony Venice and the MAVO LF... but also for any other sensor size including Micro Four Thirds.

We are having an extensive look on the primes of Mamiya 645 Sekor C range using the Panasonic GH5 and EVA1, as well as the 35mm Full Frame sensor MAVO LF introducing a Kipon Focal Reducer that enables us to use the whole image of Medium Format lenses... giving you crazy shallow Depth Of Field and mind boggling amounts of light.

We are testing: Sharpness, field of view, focus breathing, Bokeh, flaring, close focus, throughout the range on different sensor sizes with and without Speed Boosters.

We also give practical tips including cine-modding, service and repairs.

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Here links to all lenses, adapters and gear described or used in this video. Some links are Affiliate links (its not more expensive for you, but we get a little something if you use these links… thank you for your support). When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

LENSES

Mamiya Sekor C 35mm f3.5
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Mamiya Sekor C 45mm f2.8
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Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f1.9
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Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f4 Macro
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Mamiya Sekor C 110mm f2.8
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Mamiya Sekor C 210mm f4
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APADTERS

Mamiya to Sony E
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Mamiya to Canon EF
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Mamiya to Canon R
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Mamiya to Nikon F
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Mamiya to Nikon Z
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Mamiya to MFT
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FOCAL REDUCERS (Boosters)

Mamiya to E

Mamiya to L

Mamiya to Z

Mamiya to RED

Mamiya to ARRI AMIRA

There is no EF, F, PL focal reducers due to the long Flange

CINE MODDING

Follow Focus Gears (custom and pre made)
Get a 15% discount using the code MEDIADIVISION

OTHER GEAR

Shop the gear we use in our Episodes:

MUSIC

To get the music from this episode, subscribe to Artlist.
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#Mamiya645 #MediumFormat #mediumformatfilming

The Media Division is dedicated to the art of filmmaking and sharing knowledge about it. Tests, Reviews, Gear, Tutorials, Tips, Tricks, Techniques, Experiments, Behind the Scenes, Experience & Knowledge… for work, for fun, for the love of the craft. For beginners and professionals.

MDEpicEpisodeS1E08

00:00 - Intro
01:32 - Getting Hooked to Medium Format
03:12 - Medium Format Explained
05:36 - Mamiya 645, Focal Reducers, and Formats
07:26 - Test Mamiya Sekor C 35mm f3.5
08:28 - Test Mamiya Sekor C 45mm f2.8
09:26 - Test Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f1.9
11:16 - Test Mamiya Sekor C 110mm f2.8
12:08 - Test Mamiya Sekor C 210mm f4
12:55 - Test Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f4 Macro
13:45 - Camera Battle FF vs MFT
14:58 - Depth of Field and light gathering
16:06 - Why invest in Medium Format
17:43 - Adapting to different Mounts and Formats
19:19 - Practical tips
20:23 - Cine-Modding
21:22 - Repair
23:26 - Verdict

[yuidfbse]

Your videos are in one essence and one word, perfect. Nothing quite like it online. Innovative, informative, original and classy.. all wrapped up with top notch photography, editing and direction. You are the man.. too good for YouTube actually. Keep up the amazing work!

[jeditstudios]

You are quite right about the price for those 😂 they are now 3 times at least when compared with when this video was released.

[sansone]

[] This Channel is Something Special []

[RANDassociatesinc]

Since first seeing this video I have been slowly building my Mamiya 645 lens set. After extensive testing I can only say these lenses are a phenomenal value and have their own distinct look. Most noticeable is their excellent and accurate - to the point of stunning - capture of the color and subtleties in skin tones.

I also love their protection of shadows; while they are good with contrast these lenses are not harshly contrasty and as a result shadows are most often rendered with great subtlety and don’t go jet black. In short they shoot like they have a kind of black pro mist built in. As noted in this video.

Aa far as sharpness is concerned these lenses are razor sharp and provide satisfying subject-to-background separation.

Bonuses include how incredibly well built they are and as far as the primes are concerned are quite lightweight (the 105-210 is built like a tank and therefore HEAVY but is wonderfully well mannered, sharp and handles like a 35mm format zoom lens)

I originally purchased one as a low cost “sandbox” test just to see. It took me a while to get my head around just how good the lens is. Note: I also shoot with Hasselblad (Zeiss editions) and Leica R series lenses. These lenses are impeccable and each has it’s own distinct look and live up to their stellar reputations. My point in mentioning them is that I believe the MAMIYA 645 lenses can be credibly placed into this category of optics with only a few small but notable disadvantages when compared to them: 1) there is a degree of chromatic aberration that the other two lenses pretty much eliminate; especially the Leica glass. Personally, I find that it takes pixel peeping to even find it and for its other advantages and low cost I would hardly consider it a sacrifice. 2) the general lightness in weight of the lenses tends to make me think that the build quality may be sub par but based on the age of these lenses and their still excellent functioning I think it’s just my imagination.

Beginners: you can afford these lenses and you get to win twice: 1) super low cost for entry (as of right now but some versions are getting more expensive) 2) even after you build your book you can still shoot with these lenses IF they possess the look you are after for a given shoot. In short you will have made a valuable long term invest in your work and your career.

Oh....and if your have not entered the world of adapted lenses, I promise you you have NOTHING to worry about with these lenses; I shoot on a full frame DSLR and do not get any vignetting.

I am just as excited now about these lenses - even amidst my arsenal of other quality glass - as I was when I first began acquiring them.

Have some fun!

Get Out There.

[mosswareproaudio]

I just linked two of your videos to one of my many heavily visited websites.

[axelmogr]

Excellent video, the production value of your channel is immense! Just hope cinematographers don't drive up the price of 645 lenses, I've been saving up for that glorious 80mm 1.9 for a long time.

[antoniesb]

This is gold. Knowledge, passion, devotion. Congrats man

[FigTreeCinemas]

You do for lenses what Philip Bloom does for cameras. Excellent job sir!

[MakeTestBattle]

Still can't wait for the Medium Format with Letus Pro anamorphic adapter you teased on Anamorphic Shooters.
Great breakdown on Medium format.

[imammarc]

Despite being five years old, this is a very engaging video with fantastic production. One of the best channels on YouTube.

[lanceevans]

I'm continually impressed with the high level of information you share. Thank you Nick!

[blainemarcano]

Excellent video. Thank you for all the effort.

[josephasghar]

Superb video. You certainly put a lot into this, and I’m most grateful.

[Al.j.Vasquez]

The Sekor C 80mm 1.9 is just DREAMY AF!! that's a cine lens look right there

[VladimirPlavac]

Your footages look insanely good and your videos are so informative. We need an episode on your lighting and how you deal with exposure.

[aarongatewood]

Bought a mamiya 645 the other day... it came with the 80 1.9!!! I’m soo excited to collect them all now that I watch this!!

[FTGTapGod]

I just wanted to come back to this video and say thank you for bringing these lenses to my attention!

I have since picked up the 35mm 3.5, 55mm 2.8, and the 80mm 1.9 for my ZCam E2 and F6. I've always loved vintage lenses and previously was using the Rokkor X line from Minolta, but these lenses have since become my favorite.

Love this channel BTW! I'm a huge fan of your production quality and informative based content.

[alessandrofilippetti]

this is the highest quality of entertainment on youtube i have ever seen.

[malicsgabor]

Keep up the good work man, this channel truly stands out from the crowd, made by so called "filmmakers" who are only annoying videographers.

[exinexi]

You really don't need to ask for like and subscribe. Thank you for setting a new standard of quality on this kind of Youtube videos. I am enjoying every second of it. And those live music shots look stunning.