[Oldhand]

Thanks! Do you have some top of the wish list recommendations for practical Mamiya 645 acquisitions? I haven't approached researching this in a systematic way yet. Obvious candidates are those nominal focal lengths which fill gaps among the usual APS-C and FF DSLR options, or give telephoto reach in prime lenses at a bargain basement price. With your new acquisition, I expect you saved a few bucks compared to the conventional Sigma 70mm and Tamron 60mm macro options for K-mount. I don't have insight here into any subjective "rendering" advantages to the Mamiya.

The 645 lenses used to be comparatively cheap - not any more, as they are being re-discovered as fine optics.
Best value is the 80mm f2.8 - but the 80mm f1.9 is much sought after.
Any of the 150mm lenses are very good, with the most sought - the 150mm A 2.8 - which is reputed to be the best of them
The 200mm APO 2.8 is exceptional but expensive.
If you can find one, a 110/2.8 is also a very nice lens.
Longer than these, or shorter, are a waste of time I think, as there are better solutions in M42 and PK mount that are smaller, lighter and every bit as good.
Cheers
OH

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Last edited by Oldhand; 06-25-2014 at 04:13 PM.

[Jonathan Mac]

Yesterday I picked up a Yashica Minister III rangefinder for €25. The light meter seems to work and to be accurate (not bad for a 50-year-old camera) but I need to clean out and replace the light seals.

[Jean Poitiers]

Just finished "cleaning" it up and "re-lubing" a bit ... a Helios 44, the 13 blade M39 early version ... Glass has a lot of cleaning marks, but I got a very good trade/exchange deal for it ... quite a happy camper, J

[tabl10s]

Second K-3 w/grip, Mestos "L" Bracket for K-3 w/grip, FA85 1.4, Really Right Stuff BH-55, "Red Bag" FA '31, LensAlign "Pro", DataColor Spyder 4 Elite.

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Last edited by tabl10s; 07-13-2014 at 02:53 PM.

[Boris_Akunin]

I rather like my 58mm f/1.2 Rokkor but...

[bigted]

Last week I picked up a Flu card for my K-3 and then came down with a rotten summer cold - I hope it was just an awful coincidence .

[tabl10s]

Last week I picked up a Flu card for my K-3 and then came down with a rotten summer cold - I hope it was just an awful coincidence .

I heard there's a antihistamine version coming out :-).

[magkelly]

Link removed because the bag I got turned out to be junk. Apparently QC is very random with this bag. One time you get a good bag, the next not? Mine is falling apart 2 weeks after I got it. Side zipper is already broken and I'm having major issues with one of the bag closers flipping too. I just can't recommend it, sorry. To their credit the company refunded my money promptly when I put in a return request and they even told me to keep the bag, but I don't see what good that will do me since I'd have to rip the zipper out and resew the whole darned thing to be able to use it again. I guess I could just rip the zipper out and use the side pocket as an open pocket but I'm thinking that this bag won't last very long at this rate...

[Kayaker-J]

@magkelly... What's the best way to waterproof something like this... or, like your hat? I want to use the really good stuff when I bother to limber up the ol' limbs for some DIY improvements on things I like!

[Jean Poitiers]

Another 7€ thrift store camera bag ...

- a very nice working Canon T50 with FD 35-70mm (A) plus working Canon Speedlite 277T,
- a mint Sigma 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2 in FD (A) with hood and generic cap ... see "7" price tag written on the lens element,
- a very nice "Ideal" camera bag and all papers, manuals and original sale invoices ... too cool J

[Daniel Darko]

^ I do so love the little child dangling a spider (?). Does he not know that berets are arachnid proof?

My latest acquisition was a Super Takumar 55mm 1.8 a couple of days ago on EvilBay.

It will be my first proper lens and delivery date should be in less than a week. Unfortunately the delivery date for my M42 adapter will be about 2-3 weeks behind it, so as a consolation I will simply take pictures of it and dream of the fun we shall have together.

[bigted]

I should stop spending time online as it's costing me money, tonight I bought a grip for my K-3 and a bag to carry my K-3 and my Macbook:

NG AFRICA SLIM SATCHEL NGA2550

[stormtech]

I should stop spending time online as it's costing me money, tonight I bought a grip for my K-3 and a bag to carry my K-3 and my Macbook:

NG AFRICA SLIM SATCHEL NGA2550

That looks like a great bag - hope it is as soft as it looks in the picuture! I hardly use any bags at all anymore but when I do I really prefer a satchel now.

[magkelly]

@magkelly... What's the best way to waterproof something like this... or, like your hat? I want to use the really good stuff when I bother to limber up the ol' limbs for some DIY improvements on things I like!

Leather waterproofing spray. There are several brands out there. I usually buy mine at my local shoe repair place. I don't have the bottle handy but I think it's the Kiwi stuff. Chamberlain is also good. If it's a good spray the water will just roll and bead right off. I do mine every few months. I've had my distressed leather jacket for like 20 years now. It's still looking great. The hat and the backpack I bought in 2002, ditto. Distressed cowhide gear is great. So long as you remember to oil it and weather proof it once in a while it lasts practically forever. I oil my stuff with leather wax about once a year and spray it a few times a year to waterproof it.

[Kayaker-J]

O.K., then. ...And the "leather wax" is...? Another old school waterproofing substance I remember is Sno-Pruf [sp?] -- that one may be too wilderness gear or shoes & boots oriented, possibly yielding a less aesthetic result on a bag than some alternatives. Thanks for the tips!