Mamiya Rz67 “LA” series lenses?

[harlequin]

Was at camera show this week and saw rz67 lenses 140 macro, and 65 wide angle, some had LA on the barrel markings of the lenses and were substantially more $$ was wondering what the difference is and is it worth a 25-30% premium for that specific lens? Is it a different optical formula?


Thanks for enlightening me on this.....

Harlequin

 

[Neil Grant]

...maybe just a change of labelling but otherwise same lens. LOW dispersion, ANOMALOUS dispersion. The lenses 'history' is more important. Clear, no fungus, no dings, proper shutter function.

 

[awty]

The ones with floating elements cost more and are longer.

 

[Scott J.]

The "L," "L-A," and "ULD L" lenses have floating elements which facilitate better corner-to-corner sharpness. These are different optical designs from their non-floating counterparts (which are usually labeled as "W" lenses). In total, there were four lenses manufactured for the RZ67 that had floating elements:

• 50 mm ULD L
• 65 mm L-A
• 75 mm L
• 140 mm M L-A.

Be aware that three of these focal lengths had earlier, non-floating element counterparts:

• 50mm W
• 65mm W
• 75mm W Short Barrel and 75mm W Shift

Interestingly, the 140mm M L-A had an earlier counterpart, too -- the 140mm W. This earlier version also had a floating element (as you can tell from the blue focusing ring). The later M L-A version is reportedly sharper, however. More info on these lenses can be found here:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/splain-to-me-lucy-mamiya-floating-element-lens.44744/