Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f/1.9 (645) Heritage

Overview

The Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f/1.9 is the fastest standard lens ever made for 645 medium format. While most medium format standard lenses top out at f/2.8, Mamiya pushed to f/1.9 — an extraordinary achievement for the larger image circle. This lens was the reason many portrait photographers chose the Mamiya 645 system. The shallow depth of field at f/1.9 on medium format creates a three-dimensional rendering that no 35mm lens can match.

Verdict: A medium format legend. The f/1.9 aperture on 645 delivers depth-of-field separation that modern full-frame lenses still struggle to replicate. Heavy and demanding, but the results are unforgettable.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Exceptional bokeh, with a beautiful soft background blur due to the wide f/1.9 aperture.

Community Insights

What people love

Unique medium format rendering
f/1.9 speed in 645 format
Beautiful portrait bokeh
Solid all-metal construction

What people dislike

Very heavy for a standard lens
Soft wide open
Expensive and rising in price
Limited to Mamiya 645 system

Pro Tips

f/2.8 is the sweet spot for portraits — still shallow but much sharper
The 645 format with f/1.9 gives roughly equivalent DoF to f/1.0 on full frame
Check for balsam separation which is common in older examples

Sources (2)

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https://republicofla.com/capturing-dreamy-portraits-with-the-mamiya-sekor-c-80mm-f-1-9-lens-a-review-of-the-mamiya-medium-format-film-camera-system-in-los-angeles/

Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary

The Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f/1.9 is the fastest standard lens ever made for 645 medium format. While most medium format standard lenses top out at f/2.8, Mamiya pushed to f/1.9 — an extraordinary achievement for the larger image circle. This lens was the reason many portrait photographers chose the Mamiya 645 system. The shallow depth of field at f/1.9 on medium format creates a three-dimensional rendering that no 35mm lens can match.