Most affordable 6x6 portable camera with multi coated lens?

reddesert · 2025-07-29T14:59:50-0400

Dan is correct about single-coating and multi-coating and when they were generally introduced (became commonly available at retail): just after WW II for single-coating, late 1970s for multi-coating.

It is possible that there exist single-coated lenses that impart a yellow tint to photographs, but it is not a general property of single-coated lenses. Many people took color photos with such lenses (eg all professional color photography in the 50s and 60s, lots of people using SLR lenses made in the 60s and early 70s).

If you have an older single-coated lens that appears colored in transmission such as yellow or brownish and tints the photos, one thing to look for is radiation damage from thoriated glass. This isn't that common, but it does happen, and should be possible to clear up by exposing the glass to UV light (sunlight should work).

Multicoating certainly has benefits in reducing flare and scattered light, especially in lenses with many air-glass interfaces. What multicoating really enabled, was the design and use of complex zoom lenses.

kingbuzzie · 2025-07-29T15:06:39-0400

Perhaps what I'm really frustrated about is how sharp and how well the colors come out with my fuji ga645 is and would love that kind of sharp / color with a portable 6x6.

GregY · 2025-07-29T15:10:45-0400

kingbuzzie said:
Perhaps what I'm really frustrated about is how sharp and how well the colors come out with my fuji ga645 is and would love that kind of sharp / color with a portable 6x6.

Fuji lenses are very sharp....you'd likely be hard pressed to find an older inexpensive camera that matches them in that respect. If price were no object.... the New Mamiya 6 MF..... would be exactly the camera i'd choose. Loved mine!......best compact 6x6

reddesert · 2025-07-29T15:43:01-0400

I've never used a Lomo LCA-120 (or a Fuji GA645 for that matter), but I'm not surprised if it doesn't quite stack up to the Fuji. Among other things, it's a zone focus camera.

With older portable or just lower-budget medium format cameras, there are some things to look out for, like: is the camera rigid and is the focusing system accurate (rigidity/alignment can be a problem with folding cameras), is the lens clean, are any light seals renewed where needed, no light leaks if it has a bellows, are you using a lens hood where possible? These are all things I would look at before being concerned about lens multicoating. One can take great pictures with a Yashicamat, but less so if the lens is hazy, etc.

kingbuzzie · 2025-07-29T15:51:04-0400

reddesert said:
I've never used a Lomo LCA-120 (or a Fuji GA645 for that matter), but I'm not surprised if it doesn't quite stack up to the Fuji. Among other things, it's a zone focus camera.

With older portable or just lower-budget medium format cameras, there are some things to look out for, like: is the camera rigid and is the focusing system accurate (rigidity/alignment can be a problem with folding cameras), is the lens clean, are any light seals renewed where needed, no light leaks if it has a bellows, are you using a lens hood where possible? These are all things I would look at before being concerned about lens multicoating. One can take great pictures with a Yashicamat, but less so if the lens is hazy, etc.

TBH I hated my yashicamat 120 (previous model to 124-G). I could rarely get a photo I was happy with. I ended up flocking the inside, but something tells me the lack of light baffles that the 124-G had something to do with it.

Dan Daniel · 2025-07-29T16:39:05-0400

One problem the OP is going to have is that by the time multi-coating and Fuji-sharp lenses became common, lower cost folders were pretty much done for. If you want Fuji quality, you will need to pay Fuji prices. So Bronica, Mamiya, Pentax, late Rolleis, and Hasselblad are pretty much your choices. Folders and mid/low TLRs will probably always disappoint you.

GregY · 2025-07-29T17:10:54-0400

Dan Daniel said:
One problem the OP is going to have is that by the time multi-coating and Fuji-sharp lenses became common, lower cost folders were pretty much done for. If you want Fuji quality, you will need to pay Fuji prices. So Bronica, Mamiya, Pentax, late Rolleis, and Hasselblad are pretty much your choices. Folders and mid/low TLRs will probably always disappoint you.

Exactly!

4season · 2025-07-29T17:33:40-0400

Lomo LC-120 is designed to deliver a certain look which isn't necessarily razor-sharp, so much as "dreamy". It's a fun camera, but if you want a small camera which delivers crystalline clarity, you'd to better with a postwar Zeiss Ikonta equipped with Tessar lens. Postwar optics are coated, though not multiply so. And I would not automatically reject a prewar camera with uncoated optics, either. These cameras were also offered with less expensive 3-element lenses, though I have no experience with them.

In terms of ease of use, these older folding cameras can't match the convenience of newer designs like the Lomo, but compared to a view camera, they're downright luxurious.

Prest_400 · 2025-07-29T17:38:04-0400

Dan Daniel said:
One problem the OP is going to have is that by the time multi-coating and Fuji-sharp lenses became common, lower cost folders were pretty much done for. If you want Fuji quality, you will need to pay Fuji prices. So Bronica, Mamiya, Pentax, late Rolleis, and Hasselblad are pretty much your choices. Folders and mid/low TLRs will probably always disappoint you.

I agree with what Dan mentions. Basically there is that technological gap between what now are vintage cameras and modern performance. Literally between folders/TLRs and a modern option such as the Mamiya 6. I mainly have used a Fuji GW690, and it actually is quite sharp compared to the Tessar types I have gotten. I do notice that I am used to the Double Gauss designs.

Dan Fromm said:
The lens is single coated, not that it matters. Mine is a joy to use BUT the lens is far from sharp. The late Charlie Barringer (co-author of the Zeiss Ikon Compendium) had one whose lens was also poor. Sharpness is much overrated.

Have gotten some Tessar type 6x6s lately, and got a deal on a Color Skopar Perkeo that I have yet to try. To compliment my Fuji 6x9 I had gotten a Super Ikonta IV with a Tessar and I find its lens characteristics quite pleasing but it has character; aka not as clinical as modern lenses and I stop it down as much as possible beyond f8-f11 with the "rule of thumb" for Tessars.
Still, it is beautiful in B&W and have had no issues with the single coating and a Zeiss Ikon yellow filter under tropical noon conditions. Color is all fine and good.

RalphLambrecht · 2025-07-29T17:49:08-0400

Alexander6x6 said:
Multicoating is irrelevant for black-and-white photography but essential for color shots. Single-coated lenses may have a yellow tint in color shots.

I also think you might be overestimating the benefit of MC lenses, but you are on the right track. The larger negative is a huge jump in image quality. Nevertheless, interchangeable lenses would be more important to me than MC. And as soon as you get into 6x6 system cameras, the price goes up significantly. Not that you ever regret the purchase. Be patient and wait for a good second-hand Hassy.

retina_restoration · 2025-07-29T17:52:09-0400

Dan Daniel said:
One problem the OP is going to have is that by the time multi-coating and Fuji-sharp lenses became common, lower cost folders were pretty much done for. If you want Fuji quality, you will need to pay Fuji prices. So Bronica, Mamiya, Pentax, late Rolleis, and Hasselblad are pretty much your choices. Folders and mid/low TLRs will probably always disappoint you.

Now that we've finally arrived at a clear idea of what the OP wants, Dan has made reasonable suggestions. Be prepared to spend some serious money to get what you want.

kingbuzzie · 2025-07-29T18:41:05-0400

So be it. Maybe I'll sell the lomo LCA-120 and get a zone focus Fuji 645w. I have a perkeo color skopar, and a ercona with tessar (for sale). I should probably just be happy with what I have for color film. It's hard to justify the price for Mamiya 6/7 considering my skill and time. Bronica maybe!

Dan Daniel · 2025-07-30T10:20:06-0400

Oh, the one lens I can think of in a folder that might come close for you is a Heliar in a Voigtlander Baby Bessa 66. The Heliar is a 5-element lens with great sharpness and great 'look.' Its contrast is a touch lower than later double gauss type lenses, but some of us consider that a benefit. Of course both multi-coating and interchangeable are out of the picture. AND you will need to find a 70 year old folder that is well-aligned, no holes in the bellows. And oh yeah, with the Baby Bessa, zone focusing.

MattKing · 2025-07-30T15:22:25-0400

MattKing said:
I don't know whether my 6x6 Baby Bessa is sporting a multi-coated lens, but I like it too.

Dan Daniel said:
Oh, the one lens I can think of in a folder that might come close for you is a Heliar in a Voigtlander Baby Bessa 66. The Heliar is a 5-element lens with great sharpness and great 'look.' Its contrast is a touch lower than later double gauss type lenses, but some of us consider that a benefit. Of course both multi-coating and interchangeable are out of the picture. AND you will need to find a 70 year old folder that is well-aligned, no holes in the bellows. And oh yeah, with the Baby Bessa, zone focusing.

Courtesy of my Baby Bessa - perfect for all left handed photographers

Picnic

MattKing
Jun 30, 2015
5

For the Geometry MSA - a detail of a park picnic table, and the shadows it creates in the sun.

Slixtiesix · 2025-07-30T16:20:00-0400

Agfa Isola – great camera for very little money.

Most affordable 6x6 portable camera with multi coated lens?

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