Paubel Makina ll: Good, bad or just so-so?

[Karl K]

I have a chance to buy a Plaubel Makina ll in excellent condition for under $200. The style and design appeal to me, but I question the performance. The camera is pre-WWII and the lens appears to be uncoated. Does anyone have any experience with this camera?

 

[André E.C.]

Well, depends, it's a camera from 1933 and I think the only difference from the Makina I from 1920, was the addition of a coupled rangefinder.

I never used one, but have a friend of a friend, who bought one and quite fast the camera was on the sideline in favour of a Zeiss folder. that must mean something, I think.

Not my cup of tea optically from what I read around the web, I think there's much better options (optically speaking) out there, for the same or lower price (Zeiss folders) but again, your decision, mate!



André

 

[bnstein]

The lenses on the makina I and II were good tessar designs and capable of taking excellent photos bearing in mind the tendency to flare because of lack of coating. See Dead Link Removed and the following images for some examples of pictures taken with a makina I.
Ergonomically they are a little unusual, but if you like the way they work do not be put off by the idea of the lens being inadequate.