Most affordable 6x6 portable camera with multi coated lens?

[Grim Tuesday]

Question for the group about Mamiya C-series lenses. Legend has it that the chrome shutter ones with yellowish coatings are single coated while the black shutter are multi-coated (I've seen both yellowish and purpleish coatings). Here's my question: What was Mamiya doing single coating lenses in the 1970s? Wasn't multicoating ubiquitous by then? Is it possible that the chrome lenses really are multicoated and this is just rumor? I have certainly had excellent results with my chrome 80mm, enough so that I sold the black one and do not regret it (it was actually worse; perhaps sample variation).


Also, I saw the Fujica 6 and the Perkeo mentioned earlier in this thread. I have tried both and found the Perkeo to be a much sharper lens, if you can deal with scale focus of course. I was really surprised by how poor the Fujica lens was, actually, and thought it was maybe an issue with the rangefinder. But no, after using an autocollimator the rangefinder was lined up and the lens was just poorly resolving.

 

[blee1996]

Question for the group about Mamiya C-series lenses. Legend has it that the chrome shutter ones with yellowish coatings are single coated while the black shutter are multi-coated (I've seen both yellowish and purpleish coatings). Here's my question: What was Mamiya doing single coating lenses in the 1970s? Wasn't multicoating ubiquitous by then? Is it possible that the chrome lenses really are multicoated and this is just rumor? I have certainly had excellent results with my chrome 80mm, enough so that I sold the black one and do not regret it (it was actually worse; perhaps sample variation).

I have several black lenses for Mamiya C-series TLRs: most are actually single coated and with that yellowish tint. Only the very last few with blue dot (80/2.8 blue dot, 105/3.5 DS blue dot) appears to be multi-coated based on the purplish color of coating.

I don't know why Mamiya is still doing single coating into the 1970's, maybe cost and also if something is good enough don't fix it?

 

[Paul Howell]

By the 70s TTL were coming to an end as were the press cameras, Mamiya was focusing on the RB76 and later the 646 system.

 

[GregY]

By the 70s TTL were coming to an end as were the press cameras, Mamiya was focusing on the RB76 and later the 646 system.

TLR ?

 

[Prest_400]

What was Mamiya doing single coating lenses in the 1970s? Wasn't multicoating ubiquitous by then?

I don't know why Mamiya is still doing single coating into the 1970's, maybe cost and also if something is good enough don't fix it?

Not just Mamiya, top of mind I know about Olympus OM Zuikos being released as Single Coated, and references that I am finding now is that surely in the early 80s they were multicoated. But checking just the 50mm standards, it could very well have been single coating until the end of the 70s.

 

[Paul Howell]

TLR ?

Oh yes, good old typo. Thanks for the catch.

 

[MattKing]

Question for the group about Mamiya C-series lenses. Legend has it that the chrome shutter ones with yellowish coatings are single coated while the black shutter are multi-coated (I've seen both yellowish and purpleish coatings). Here's my question: What was Mamiya doing single coating lenses in the 1970s? Wasn't multicoating ubiquitous by then? Is it possible that the chrome lenses really are multicoated and this is just rumor? I have certainly had excellent results with my chrome 80mm, enough so that I sold the black one and do not regret it (it was actually worse; perhaps sample variation).


Also, I saw the Fujica 6 and the Perkeo mentioned earlier in this thread. I have tried both and found the Perkeo to be a much sharper lens, if you can deal with scale focus of course. I was really surprised by how poor the Fujica lens was, actually, and thought it was maybe an issue with the rangefinder. But no, after using an autocollimator the rangefinder was lined up and the lens was just poorly resolving.

@grahamp is the one to ask about this - or possibly refer to his Mamiya TLR reference page, found here: http://dotinthelandscape.org/mfaq/

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Just pull the bandaid off and get that Mamiya 6. Or a Rollei.

 

[GregY]

Just pull the bandaid off and get that Mamiya 6. Or a Rollei.

 

[Besk]

I like the square format and have experience with 6x6 cameras and have at present a Rolleiflex and 6x6 backs for my miniature Crown Graphic. However, it seems that a modern 35mm camera is perfectly adequate for enlargements up to at least 8X10. After that I go to my 4x5 cameras skipping medium format. You may want to consider that.

 

[brian steinberger]

Just pull the bandaid off and get that Mamiya 6. Or a Rollei.

Couldn’t agree more.

 

[kingbuzzie]

In my experience, there is not much visible difference between single and multi coating. I use both lens types for b/w and colour film photography and could not tell afterwards which lens it was.

I don't miss anything with the pictures taken with a single coated lens. However, if you insist on multicoating and medium format for a low price, I can recommend the Pentacon Six or Kiev 60 with MC Zeiss Jena Biometar 2.8/80, too.

View attachment 405925

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Canon 7s
Leitz Elmar 1:4/9cm (1951, single coated)
Kodak Gold 200
Adox C-Tec Kit C-41
Plustek Opticfilm 7300, Vuescan

Thank you for that. I'm actually thinking of a Bronica now, so I can have one serious, pro level 120 camera. I would anything (or everything?) for the SQ have modern multi coated optics?

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thank you for that. I'm actually thinking of a Bronica now, so I can have one serious, pro level 120 camera. I would anything (or everything?) for the SQ have modern multi coated optics?

I think Bronica is a smart move at the present time.. I had a Bronica S2A years ago and it never failed me. I then went to Hasselblad for my work camera. Now that I just shoot for pleasure I just recently bought a Bronica GS-1 then the 110mm macro, 50mm, 150mm and 250mm. All for about what a really nice CFE lens would cost for my Hasselblad. Amazing bargain cameras in my opinion.

 

[halfaman]

Thank you for that. I'm actually thinking of a Bronica now, so I can have one serious, pro level 120 camera. I would anything (or everything?) for the SQ have modern multi coated optics?

All SQ lenses are multicoated, but some S lenses don't have all elements multicoated (no more details available). Could be a mix of single and multicoated elements. PS lenses have all elements multicoated, same thing for PG lenses of GS-1 system. PG lenses and PS lenses were produced with a new Bronica glass multicoating line.

That being said, I doubt you can really notice any difference between a photo taken with an S and a PS 80 mm lens.

 

[Sanug]

Too funny, I just bought s SQ-A and wait for delivery.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Too funny, I just bought s SQ-A and wait for delivery.

I bet you're going to like it. Give it a good test workout and then let us know how you like it or dislike it. I would have gotten the SQ-a instead of the GS-1, but I have 6X6 covered with my Hasselblads. Besides, I actually prefer 6X7 and 6X9 over both 645 and 6X6 anyway. I'm still amazed at how good the PG lenses are for the very cheap price you have to pay. I think they are a real bargain myself.

 

[Sanug]

Thank you, I hope you are right. I am very excited and will do some testing rolls as soon as it arrives.

 

[chuckroast]

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 think I disagree a bit. Lens coatings in monochrome are still relevant insofar as they control flare and - in some degree - how the lens responds to things like specular highlights.

I have an uncoated 1945 50mm f/3.5 LTM Elmar that is absolutely tack sharp. Aim it anywhere near a light source and you see "blooming" in a way you never will with a coated lens. It's not a bad thing when used for creative purposes, but for ever day shooting, it can definitely be an impediment.

However, a single coated lens is likely adequate for monochrome in most every practical case.