Best Build Quality Medium Format Rangefinder

Definitely not the Mamiya 6, I dropped mine from slightly above waste high onto concrete
and Mamiya charged $530 to rebuild, at least they did.

For durability. my vote is the Fuji 645S.
Bomber -metal body, with a fricking' lens bar/guard around it, I mean c'mon ...



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Any of the older rangefinders if "feel" is most important. Personally I'm happy with a Fuji GW690III, but you may not like its plastic exterior, so (in approx. descending size order):

Linhof Technika 70
Crown (Century) 23 Graphic (several different models)
Mamiya Universal/Polaroid 600se
Koni-Omega
Fuji G690, GL690, G670, GM670
Converted Polaroid such as 110b/Numerous Folders
Bronica rf645
 
Texsport said:
+1 for the Fujica interchangeable lens cameras.:)
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Yep, sturdy machines, I would say.

Those big Fujis are so basic that they are almost indestructible. There is no electronics (no battery) and almost no moving part inside the camera body, because the leaf shutter is located inside the lens. If it fails, you just mount another lens while you have the shutter repaired -- an easy task since the shutter is a pretty standard Seiko 0. Inside the body, the most fail-prone part is the darkslide but, if it fails, it won't prevent you from taking pictures, only from changing the lens with the camera loaded.

These cameras have been used for years by professional photographers in Japan to make portraits and souvenir pictures at most tourists spots. The Fujis had to wthstand taking thousands of pictures in all kind of weather, all year long. And they are still in great shape today!

Cheers!

Abbazz
 
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I used to have a Mamiya 7, and my brother used to have GF670. The GF670 is a much nicer build IMHO, akin to a Zeiss Ikon I'd say. The Mamiya, well not sure what I'd compare it to, but it would probably not be flattering.

The results from the Mamiya are stunning though, as they are from the GF670. The GF670 lens a tad soft wide open, but many would prefer that.

For flexibility, of course it's the Mamiya, as it's got interchangeable lenses. For build/looks and general sexiness, easily the GF670. I think it's a testament to Cosina and Fujifilm that a medium format folder got made these days, and kind of telling how usable and light it is compared to "modern" cameras, not to mention the technical image quality.
 
I've owned both a mamiya 7 and fuji RF and I prefer the build of the fuji over the mamiya. It feels more solid in the hand, while it may be more heavier than the 7, it's worth the extra weight.
 
Abbazz said:
Yep, sturdy machines, I would say.

Those big Fujis are so basic that they are almost indestructible. There is no electronics (no battery) and almost no moving part inside the camera body, because the leaf shutter is located inside the lens. If it fails, you just mount another lens while you have the shutter repaired -- an easy task since the shutter is a pretty standard Seiko 0. Inside the body, the most fail-prone part is the darkslide but, if it fails, it won't prevent you from taking pictures, only from changing the lens with the camera loaded.


Cheers!

Abbazz
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Had two CLA'd -- with seals replaced and dark slide adjusted, and sold them, I prefer the fixed lens models, much lighter, and the "plastic" put me off, until I dropped one off the shoulder of a leather jacket on the granite in front of Notre Dame de Paris.

Sent that one to Fuji for repair, they swapped out the dented lens hood and everything else checked OK, no marks even on the case. I suspect it is a very tough case, polycarbonate? Shutter did fire when it hit, unusual photo of Notre Dame.

I believe they made them in 6x7, 6x8 (Japan only?), and my preference, the 6x9 in the GSW.

Regards, John
 
+1 on the interchangable lens Fuji's.

I only own three, but the GL690 and GM670 have improved VF'ers that offer simpler framelines and higher magnification.

The 65mm external VF'er I have has a parallex adjustment. All the glass is superb. As far as normals go the 100/3.5 has wonderful bokeh and IMHO is "the King of the Tessars."

Heavily built.

Cal
 
I had a number of the Fuji 645s cameras. Nice, but definitely a plastic-fantastic camera. The problem on these, other than the bellows, is the shutters. They quit making parts for them eons ago, and after having KEH fix mine several times they finally refunded my money and gave up because they had no parts for it.

A Voigtlander Bessa RF or Bessa II both have very, very good lenses and rangefinders but they're red window cameras. Slow to shoot. You may have to bite the bullet and get a Fuji III, but man, that is one big camera and not cheap either.
 
But only if you drop it.

Plenty of people do professional field work with the Mamiya 7 and its plenty able to deal with that. Unless you make a habit of dropping cameras (in which case there are easy preventative measures on can take) or must leave it in the back of a pick up truck while off-roading, without a case, mixed in with bricks, this should be a non-issue. Mamiya 7's generally don't fall to bits and the most expensive parts (the lenses) are very solid and well engineered. Personally, I would be looking at other features to decide on which camera was best for me, centering around how it will help me take the pictures I want.


noah booshu said:
I've owned both a mamiya 7 and fuji RF and I prefer the build of the fuji over the mamiya. It feels more solid in the hand, while it may be more heavier than the 7, it's worth the extra weight.
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I can't give you any comparisons since I haven't used any of the other cameras mentioned here except a Rolleiflex and Super Press 23, but you are asking about an RF. The Super Press 23 is. But it is heavy. Even more so if you try to carry a 50mm, 65mm, 150mm, and 250mm f/5, along with the standard 100mm f/3.5 lenses, and maybe a couple of film backs. With a roll film back and a side mounted handle, I found it suprisingly 35mm camera-like in handling, except for the weight. But if you end up going for all those lenses, it will be very versitile, and require 2 or 3 backs to carry (human or pack animal :D). But of all the cameras I have, it would be one of the last three kits I would get rid of if I had to start selling off for some unfortuitous reason. I really enjoy it.

Someone else mentioned older folding cameras. They are harder to find in 6x7, and I don't have one. I do have some 6x6 that I like very much. You might want to try that route first.
 
I think the Kodak Medalist is built better than anything mentioned here except the Linhof. Too bad the Linhof is just so weird. And you can't go wrong with a nice Rollei, although not an RF, and square doesn't work for everything. The Rollei wins for performance in a small package. The Fuji (among 6x9) probably wins on absolute lens quality/coatings. The Medalist wins for a better RF. (Magnified and a giant RF base!) The Fuji wins for better VF. Yeah, yeah 620 film, blah, blah... I just pay the $12 for a roll of 620 TRI-X at B&H.

As time goes on, and qualified service and especially parts become harder to come by, I grow more and more leery of film cameras that depend on electronics. Tiny switch contacts get dirty and wires corrode. The soldering in electronic cameras is not mil-spec. Electrolytic capacitors age poorly. Static electricity fries unobtainable integrated circuits. Electronic shutters and their parts become NLA. Even those really nice modern Mamiya RF's - outstanding cameras they are - the clock is running down on them.... just sayin' ....
 
MaxElmar

Are u thinking about
- 2x3 super tech IIi or iv (i think refered to as baby linhof)
- linhof 220
- linhof tech 70
- linhof tech press

Too me the only weird looking one is the linhof 220. Reminds me of shooting with a movie camera. The other Li hogs are surprisingly easy to use if u have the anatomical grip.

Btw +1 on the kodak medalist --> I like the II. Too bad they are 620. Guys like Ken Ruth do a great job of converting them to 120.

Fuji 690 are also really good as well..


Gary
Gary
 
Kodak Medalist 1,You can't make a more enduring camera.The 620 spools are available and easily rerolled or Blue Moon Machine has many trimmed rolls(all have worked fine for me) and a good selection.And a fantastic lens with an easily serviced shutter.But,it isn't without weight after hanging from your neck.
Regards,Peter
 
mrisney said:
Definitely not the Mamiya 6, I dropped mine from slightly above waste high onto concrete
and Mamiya charged $530 to rebuild, at least they did.
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And how many cameras beyond the Mamiya 6 would survive that drop without a repair trip? I wouldnt seriously expect any camera I've owned to take a fall of several feet onto concrete without damage.
 
Linhof without any doubt , tho I have a Bertram Press which gets pretty close. Must upload some images of my MF gear one day.

Cheers
ron
 
I love my Mamiya 7, and I have tried 5d Mkii, Leica M4-2, Pentacon 6 and a RB67. I know what solid feels like. I would not hesitate to whack somebody over the head with my Mamiya 7 if I had to.

Mamiya may feel flimsy with the dark slide turning knob thing and maybe its shutter button. Everything else feels utterly solid. And the best part, it's the lightest camera among the ones I mentioned.
 
Mamiya Universal Press

Mamiya Universal Press

The last version of the Mamiya Universal Press would be my pic. The body is solid cast metal parts that are heavy (You could kill someone with the camera body if they attacked you and it would still work fine). All the lenses are strong, especially the 100mm f2.8. The knob wind back with the red windows would also be my pic in that there is no winding mechanism that can break.
 
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