Optically the new 80mm F2.8 AF D is as good or better than the original 80mm AF. The only difference I am noticing is in the coloring which is probably related to revised lens coatings. Most of my product shots are taken on a white background and those images tend to look crisper with 80mm D. The colors come across slightly bolder. Whereas the original Mamiya 80mm F2.8 AF had a slight tint to its coloring - something in reddish-yellow family. This tint was very subtle, but the curious thing is, I think I prefer the old color because it seems to mesh better with the Mamiya ZD’s tone curve.

I am sure the new Phase One digital backs do a better job with the new Mamiya 80mm because the Phase colorists are probably using the new 80mm lens (rebranded as a Phase One lens) as their reference lens. In my experience the files from the Phase One backs have a bolder look, so the purer, slightly cooler colors from the new 80mm F2.8 AF D probably blend quite nicely with current Phase One digital backs. In my case I am using a Mamiya ZD dSLR which was designed circa 2003 / 2004 and the old 80mm AF was most likely its reference lens. Again, this is just a feeling, nothing scientific - I feel the Mamiya ZD with Mamiya 80mm AF non-D generates a more unique look whereas with the new 80mm D, the images are more generic looking - though, certainly in line with contemporary colors.

CONCLUSION

The new Mamiya / Phase One 80mm F2.8 AF D is without a doubt a big step forward in the ergonomics department compared to the original Mamiya 80mm F2.8 AF. If handling and ergonomics are important considerations, then upgrading to the Mamiya 80mm F2.8 AF D will be worthwhile. For those happy with the original 80mm F2.8 AF, the upgrade is not as clear cut. For anybody buying a Mamiya 645AFD III or Phase One P645, the new 80mm D is the ONLY way to go because the lens has been updated with a 16-bit CPU for faster focus plus some electronic goodies for automated lens corrections in Phase One’s C1 software.

Judging the Mamiya 80mm F2.8 AF D on its own merits, it earns a solid “A”. As a upgrade for current 80mm F2.8 AF owners, the new “D” earns a “B”. Had Mamiya made the new 80mm F2.8 AF D an F2 lens instead of F2.8, then I probably could not say enough good things about the lens. There is not an AF 80mm F2 currently in production (the Contax 645AF 80mm kit lens was F2), so I think Mamiya could have pulled-off a real coup had they made the 80mm F2.8 AF D a F2 lens.

The new Mamiya / Phase One AF 80mm F2.8 D is well built, handles nicely and takes sharp images. The bokeh is fairly smooth (again, f2 could have have helped here) and rendering have a nice, defined contrast. I cannot think of anything bad to say about the 80mm D, or any “gotchya’s” that caught me by surprise. My only gripe is the retail price, but most people will end up with the Mamiya / Phase One 80mm D as part of a bundled package with the Phase One digital back, so the price issue will be moot for most people.

UPDATE REGARDING 645AFD BODIES

June 10, 2009

A reader sent an email saying they spoke with Mamiya service and the original Mamiya 645AFD does not focus reliably with the new “D” lenses and there is not a firmware update available to resolve the issue. I have not confirmed this, so if you have a Mamiya 645AFD and you are considering a new “D” lens purchase, contact your local Mamiya service center and make sure your 645AFD will work correctly with the new “D” lens.