Most affordable 6x6 portable camera with multi coated lens?

[reddesert]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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]

Agfa Isola – great camera for very little money.

 

[grain elevator]

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.

Ok, not as small but one other option that has not been mentioned are the Rollei SLX and its brethren. Some of the bodies are fairly affordable and they have excellent lenses, and the 80s are affordable, too. The cameras may need their batteries rebuilt but that's not an insurmountable issue.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Look at the 120 folder cameras. I had a wonderful Certo Super Baby with a Zeiss lens, very sharp.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

This would be a long discussion, as you are already incorrect in your first two sentences.

Alexande6x6 is the participant in this discussion that needs to get his facts straight.

 

[Rayt]

With compact, 6x6 and multi coated lens as the criteria I’ll have to say Mamiya 6. The camera is collapsible and when I had mine I carried two of them each mounted with 50mm and 75mm lenses inside a Billingham bag.

 

[abruzzi]

Not sure about the multi-coating, but Bronica SQ cameras might be low priced enough for you? Might also look at 645 SLRs like the Mamiya and Pentax. Later Rolleiflexes, the FX and GX, have multi-coated lenses but the cost is high.

All three of the Bronica leaf shutter SLRs has multicoated lenses available. For the SQ 6x6 camera the “S” line is single coated, and the “PS” is multicoated. As a camera it’s not super light and portable like a Fujica Six or a Mamiya Six, but it is relatively cheap.

(The ETR has E and EII for single coated, and PE for multicoated, and all the GS-1 lenses are multicoated PG lenses.)

 

[F4U]

I would think a Mamiya 220. Mainly for the reason that it would be the most likely to have any kind of shutter accuracy after all these years. Those super old cameras from the 40's and 50's are most likely to have terrible shutter accuracy. Cost and shutter accuracy is what it's all about.

 

[dokko]

I would think a Mamiya 220.

I'll second that recommendation. it's not not the smallest and lightest, but probably the cheapest if you're looking excellent multi-coating and sharpness. as a bonus, the lenses have lovely rendering, are interchangeable and quite lightweight too.

the Mamiya 6 would definitely be the top performer 6x6 in terms of lens performance vs size, but pricey.

 

[brian steinberger]

Gotta go with Mamiya 6. But if too pricey I would recommend any TLR, but particularly a Rolleicord. Lightweight, inexpensive, and high quality lens.

 

[reddesert]

All three of the Bronica leaf shutter SLRs has multicoated lenses available. For the SQ 6x6 camera the “S” line is single coated, and the “PS” is multicoated. As a camera it’s not super light and portable like a Fujica Six or a Mamiya Six, but it is relatively cheap.

(The ETR has E and EII for single coated, and PE for multicoated, and all the GS-1 lenses are multicoated PG lenses.)

IMO, the Bronica ETR, SQ, and PG leaf shutter lenses are all multi-coated. The first series of ETR lenses (I think the ETR is the first of the three camera series) are marked "Zenzanon MC" on the lens trim ring.

Most of the lenses for the earlier S, S2, EC (the focal plane shutter series) are single coated. The Nikkor lenses are all single coated as far as I know, but a few of the Zenzanon lenses made toward the end of this series might be MC - I have never handled one. I don't get very wound up about multicoating until the lens design starts to have a high group count or strong chance of flare (zoom lenses, extreme wide angles).

 

[F4U]

The original poster specified low cost. Well there are a million different "low cost" 120 6x6 cameras out there. Old Agfas, Ansco's and the like spring to mind, Do you really want something like that? The shutters are inaccurate as hell and always will be, no matter how much money you throw at them on CLA's. It's just old junk. Get a Mamiya. Don't worry if it's not multi-coated. A C22, 220, C3300, whatever. If I was interested in a square 120 negative, and doing some good work, and not spending a pile of money, Nobody ever went wrong buying a Mamiya.