Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lenses: An Overview
**What is the Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens?**
The Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens is a specialty lens designed for use with Mamiya medium format film cameras. It offers photographers a unique way to create dreamy and ethereal images with controlled softness and beautiful bokeh. This lens is known for its versatility, allowing photographers to adjust the level of soft focus according to their creative vision.
**Introduction to the Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens**
Released in 1993, the Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens quickly gained popularity among professional portrait and fashion photographers. Its soft focus capabilities allowed photographers to capture stunning images with a dream-like quality, enhancing the overall mood and visual appeal of the subject.
The lens features a variable soft focus control, which enables photographers to adjust the softness level by rotating a ring on the lens barrel. This allows for precise control over the amount of softness desired, giving photographers the freedom to experiment and create unique effects.
**Technical Specifications**
– Focal Length: 180 mm
– Maximum Aperture: f/4.0
– Minimum Aperture: f/32
– Minimum Focus Distance: 1.8 meters
– Filter Size: 77 mm
– Weight: 1.1 kg
**Using the Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens**
When photographing with the Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens, it is important to understand how to achieve the desired soft focus effect. By adjusting the soft focus control ring, photographers can control the amount of softness in the image. This lens shines when used for portraits, as it can create a flattering and romantic look.
It’s important to note that this lens is manual focus only and requires skill and precision to achieve sharp focus, especially when using the soft focus feature. Patience and practice are key to mastering this lens and getting the desired results.
**Price and Availability**
The Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens was initially released at a price of around $1,500. However, as it is a discontinued lens, finding it in the market today might be challenging. Used copies can still be found through various online platforms or specialized camera stores. Prices may vary depending on the condition and availability.
**Conclusion**
The Mamiya 180 mm f/4.0 D/L Variable Soft Focus Lens is a unique tool for photographers looking to add a touch of softness and dreaminess to their images. With its variable soft focus control and stunning image quality, it offers a creative and artistic way to capture portraits and other subjects. Though not easily found in the market today, the lens remains highly regarded among photography enthusiasts and professionals alike.
