How to Choose a Medium Format Lens

Medium format cameras are the best cameras for portraits and high-quality photography of all types. Aside from the larger negatives and better mechanics of these cameras, the thing that really makes them shine is the quality of the lenses.While the prices have dropped dramatically on medium format cameras because everybody is switching to digital, the lenses still cost a lot. The glass is just as good as it always was and the lenses will work fine on new digital models of the older film cameras.Buying these lenses takes some thought and compromise.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide on a budget for lenses. If money is no object, buy new wide-angle, portrait, telephoto and zoom lenses. For a Hasselblad, a 50mm wide-angle lens new will cost about $4,000. Since cost does matter to most people, the equivalent lens can be purchased used for $200 to $500. Prices will vary for other brands.

2. Decide what you want to shoot. If you want to shoot just portraits, a lens in the range of 100mm to 120mm will be best. If you want to shoot architecture such as old buildings, a wide-angle lens from 30mm to 60mm will suit your needs. For long-distance work, telephotos from 150mm to 500mm are needed. Most camera systems also have 1.4X to 2X teleconverters available, too, extending that range from 210mm to 1,000mm.

3. Look for lenses that will meet your level of work. Since you’re shooting with medium format equipment, the quality does matter, but a 30mm lens from Arsat will cost between $200 and $300 for a Pentax 645 or Hasselblad. It's a good deal compared to the real thing from Pentax or Zeiss at $400 to $500 (Pentax 35mm) or $5,000 (Zeiss 30mm), respectively, used. The Arsat is not the best lens on the market, nor is it the sharpest, but it will give full fisheye wide-angle for a lot less money.

4. 
   This Hasselblad 500C camera is shown with battered 150mm lens and a 1.4X converter.

   Get a battered used lens. As long as the glass is clear of fog or pock marks and it will focus and allow aperture adjustment, it doesn’t matter what the exterior looks like. Yes, a rough looking lens has been put through quite a bit of wear, but usually by a professional photographer. That means such a lens often is well cared for despite its ugly appearance.

5. Combine your needs with a zoom lens. Years ago, zoom lenses weren’t as good as fixed-focal length ones, but that has changed. Instead of having a couple of wide-angle lenses, a normal lens and a couple of telephotos, getting a wide-to-normal lens and a normal-to-telephoto lens will cut down carrying weight, and the amount of lens changing necessary. While zoom lenses can cost more than other single lenses, they will save money by combining several focal lengths.

6. 
   This 80-to-160mm zoom lens for this Pentax 645 is clear and spotless.

   Pick up the lens and look through it, both attached to a camera and by itself. A used lens will show spots or dust through a camera’s viewfinder. For a clearer look, just look through the detached lens. If you hold it up to a diffused light, you can get a good idea of just how clear it is.

Tips & Warnings

• Buying from a reputable used camera dealer such as KEH.com, B&H or Adorama is safer than buying from eBay because these companies have rating systems that are constant and reflect quality.
• The best way to buy a used lens is from a local camera store because you can pick it up, look at it and try it out.
• When buying medium format lenses, make sure they have the right lens mount for the camera. A Hasselblad lens won’t fit on a Pentax, Bronica or Mamiya, for example.

Resources

• KEH used cameras and lenses
• Adorama used and new photographic equipment
• B&H Photo used and new photographic equipment