RZ67 65mm "W" or "L-A"

[wuzakee]

I'm looking to pick up a used 65mm, and I've seen them designated as either "W" or "L-A." I have not been able to find out the difference either on google or here on apug. Does anyone know? thank you.

 

[keithwms]

Don't quote me on this, but offhand I think L-A is the newer one and has the better coatings and the adjustable floating element for sharper focus. I don't know if the W has the adjustable floating element. N.b. you have to watch out for some old reviews on the mamiya floating-element lenses, some people didn't know what to do with the floating element and got poorer-than-expected results as a consequence. Actually the newer 65s (I have the rb version) are spectacularly good, in my opinion. In fact, if you don't mind working fully manually, consider the newest rb version of the 65 is a very good buy, brand new.

 

[keithwms]

Ah, okay I just saw a photo of the W and it looks like it has the floating adjuster as well. So I guess it's just an issue of newer coatings an such.

P.S. Maybe I was barking up the right tree after all:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00N440

 

[wuzakee]

Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[panastasia]

Ah, okay I just saw a photo of the W and it looks like it has the floating adjuster as well. So I guess it's just an issue of newer coatings an such.

P.S. Maybe I was barking up the right tree after all:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00N440

Yes, you're correct about the L designation, I own the 65mm SD - newer design (f/4L, has no W included). I'm not sure about the W, the 100-200zoom has that designation (C100~200f/5.2W). The "A" only appears on long lenses starting w/the140 macro. "APO" on others is obvious.

 

[eunkefer]

The Z 65mm f/4 W and Z 50mm f/4.5 W do NOT have floating elements, latest models M 65mm f/4 L-A and M 50mm f/4.5 ULD L have the floating element system.

Regards Ed

 

[max_ebb]

There's also a 65mm lens that's not a W or M L-A. The difference between the W and the non W lenses is that the W lenses have wider gaps between the aperture settings with lines for the half stop settings.