With the larger negative size the field of view of medium format lenses is much wider than the field of view with the same focal length on 35mm. To make a comparison with 35mm film SLR fields of view multiply the focal length by 0.48. For instance, 90mm is ~44mm in 35 film SLR terms.
I do not see a consensus on which lens series is the best. The non-C single anti-reflective coating lenses seem to be the “worst”, but the optical difference between the K/L and C lenses is not so clear. Some commentators have indicated that the C series had poor quality control, whereas the K/L lenses–being optically the same–are better by virtue of better quality control.
Original
Single anti-reflective coated lenses released in 1970 with the original Pro
NB
These lenses are optically identical to the original lenses, but have a newer barrel design (NB) that matches the later C lenses. They only were produced briefly and are comparatively rare on the market.
C
C, apparently, stands for “Design Improvement”. These lenses are multi-coated. Released with the Pro-S in 1974. Has a “C” on the front name ring.
K/L
Most recent. These lenses are, apparently, a slightly newer design with better coatings than the C lenses. The K/L is a code to indicate which bodies the lenses are compatible with. K indicates the Pro/Pro-S bodies and L indicates the Pro-SD bodies. KL lenses all shipped with an adapter attached to the lens so that they can be mounted to Pro-SD bodies. This adapter should be removed to mount to Pro/Pro-S bodies. This adapter is a fairly simple rubber O-ring for light sealing rather than for any mechanical reason. I, personally, have not had any issues using C lenses on my Pro-SD body without the small adapter ring.
Has a “K/L” on front of the barrel.
L lenses
Compatible with Pro-SD *only*; these are the 75mm Shift lens and 500mm APO only.
APO/L
Apochromatically corrected lenses. Sometimes known as A lens. More expensive, heavier, but chromatic aberrations are better corrected.
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Length (mm) | Maximum Aperture | Generation | Angle of View (in degrees) | Weight (g) | Details | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
37 | f4.5 | C | 180 | 1240 | Details | fisheye distortion |
50 | f4.5 | C | 82 | 960 | More details | |
50 | f4.5 | Original | 82 | 960 | Details | |
65 | f4.5 | C | 0 | |||
65 | f4.5 | Original | 68 | 840 | Details | |
65 | f4 | K/L | 68 | 1070 | Details | This is a new, different optical design than the earlier original and C 65mm lenses |
75 | f3.5 | K/L | 61 | 980 | Details | |
75 | f4.5 | S/L | 61 | 1700 | Details | |
90 | f3.8 | C | 52 | 0 | ||
90 | f3.5 | K/L | 52 | 960 | More details | |
90 | f3.8 | NB | 52 | 0 | ||
90 | f3.8 | Original | 52 | 705 | Details | |
100 | f5.2 | C | 47 | 1660 | Details | 100mm-200mm Zoom |
127 | f3.8 | C | 39 | 0 | ||
127 | f3.8 | Original | 38 | 655 | Details | |
127 | f3.5 | K/L | 39 | 780 | More details | |
140 | f4.5 | C | 36 | 800 | Details | Macro lenses with floating element to adjust plane of focus curvature. |
150 | f3.5 | K/L | 33 | 840 | Details | |
150 | f4 | C | 33 | 790 | Details | Soft focus lens |
180 | f4.5 | K/L | 28 | 900 | More details | |
180 | f4.5 | C | 28 | 0 | Details | |
180 | f4.5 | Original | 28 | 875 | Details | |
210 | f4.5 | APO/L | 24 | 1020 | More details | Apochromatic correction |
250 | f4.5 | Original | 20 | 1310 | Details | |
250 | f4.5 | APO/L | 21 | 1370 | More details | Apochromatic correction |
250 | f4.5 | K/L | 20 | 1130 | More details | |
250 | f4.5 | C | 21 | 1020 | Details | |
350 | f5.6 | APO/L | 15 | 1440 | Details | |
360 | f6.3 | Original | 14 | 1360 | Details | |
360 | f6.3 | C | 14 | 1040 | Details | |
360 | F6 | K/L | ? | 0 | Details | |
500 | f8 | C | 10 | 1980 | Details | |
500 | f6 | APO/L | 10 | 2360 | Details |
Lens Accesories
Auto Extension Tubes
Two extension tubes–for use in close up photography–were produced, the No. 1 (45mm) and No. 2 (82mm).
Extension tubes were produced for the Pro and Pro-S and a different model for the Pro-SD. The Pro-SD extension tubes fit the larger lens throat of the Pro-SD body. Because of this the Pro-SD extension tubes do not fit on Pro or Pro-S bodies.
Bibliography
Mamiya Corporate Website
DiSante, T. (1981). How to Select & Use Medium-Format Cameras. HP photobooks. Tucson, AZ: H.P. Books.
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