Best Build Quality Medium Format Rangefinder

I have used my Mamiya 7ii extensively in my landscape/seascape work. It has been subjected to hot/cold/wet/dry environments and has performed wonderfully. It's a fine camera with exceptional optics. While I suggest you don't mistreat it I can also suggest normal use in varied environments won't be a problem.
 
4.5x6, 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9 are conventional denominations but they do not reflect the actual size of the pictures taken by these cameras. Usually, 4.5x6 is 40.5 x 56mm, 6x6 is 56 x 56mm, 6x7 is 56 x 70mm and 6x9 is 56 x 84mm, but these figures do vary from one camera to another. Here's an useful table (in French, but should be understandable by anyone): http://dirapon.be/Docs/Focales24x36Autres%20formats.htm

Cheers!

Abbazz


Now that is a handy chart. Thanks!

Texsport
 
I'd have to say that the all metal Rittreck and Norita 66 cameras deserve a mention,as they are all metal(brass I believe).

I have acquired 3 that had never been serviced, but all worked.

None of the other cameras mentioned match the uniqueness of the Noritar 80/2 lens.

The rarity factor is an issue, of course, but no denying their solid construction.

Texsport
 
Welta Weltur. Better than Ikontas. Surely Linhof 6x9 and mamiya Universal are sturdier, but Welturs (I have 6x9) are folding.
 
Recently acquired a Horseman 980.

Technically, it is a medium format rangefinder! But I assume it can also be used as an aforementioned anvil and still take pictures after that, or used as a weapon/sledge hammer, and still take pictures after that.

It teams up with my (non-RF, wide angle) Horseman Convertible and Gitzo tripod and makes a killer team, with the addition of a pack mule to haul it around.
 
Rugged? I dropped my Mamiya 6 on hard tiles at the airporta couple of years ago. Split the casing a tad on the corner, I just covered it up with a bit of electrical tape to keep dust out, and it has been going well ever since. Only thing damaged was resale value - but I will never sell it anyway. Great camera!
 
I put a Fuji GF670 through its paces during a recent holiday to Cuba, as well as hiking in the Rockies. It performed flawlessly, and I don't recall a single slide with an exposure issue. Detail of the slides under a 20x stereo microscope is stunning. My only beef is that it only has strap lugs on the left-hand side (so I had to Jerry-rig up something on the right side).
 
Rugged? I dropped my Mamiya 6 on hard tiles at the airporta couple of years ago. Split the casing a tad on the corner, I just covered it up with a bit of electrical tape to keep dust out, and it has been going well ever since. Only thing damaged was resale value - but I will never sell it anyway. Great camera!

I had a Mamiya 6...for one roll. Took it for a hike at 5 degrees C (40 F?), and the advance refused to work. Did a google search and found that I wasn't the only one to have problems at cooler temps. Sounds like the Mamiya 7 might not have the same troubles, though.
 
My Fuji GA645 is tough enough for me although I appreciate that complexity can be the enemy of reliability.

Given that it has auto focus, auto-wind and auto-exposure it doesn't take a huge imagination to realise that at any point in time I could be only one shutter release away from owning a paperweight.

That said, you can own 3 of them for your $2k budget....
 
Linhof 6x9 Technika is within your budget and... it's a Linhof.

I would totally agree. I owned two Technika V 6x9's and a Technika 70. All were fantastic. I also owned a 4x5 Master Technika I used commercially for nearly 30 years and never had an issue. The 6x9 is just a miniature version of the 4x5.

The absolute most rugged RF is the later version Linhof Press 70.
 
The Fuji GW (670,680,690) series is the toughest, there really is no comparison. The plastic body is sturdy, and absorbs shocks from drops and falls, the leaf shutter system is simple and reliable, and access to the important parts is possible with a minimum of tools. The only weak link is the winding lever, which can be broken off. The 645 is not as sturdy, don't let the little crash bar in front of the lens fool you, you can pull it off with your hand if you try.
 
The Bessa Wide 667 (also sold under a Fuji nameplate)
has proven itself exceptionally dependable.

How it stands in comparison with other rugged rangefinders is hard to say,
but it is still exceptionally dependable.
 
The Mamiya Universal Press is built kind of like a Soviet Tank. I don't know if that means quality really, but it is a good weapon.

I'm sorry for offending all the Mamiya 7 owners ;-p

Build Quality can mean different things. A Hasselblad or Rolleiflex can be very finely made compared to a Fuji or even the Mamiya tank, but a few grains of sand can seize them in seconds.... I think the Mamiya Press might pulverize the sand and dent any concrete it gets dropped on. But it is still a crudely built camera in comparison to the finer German models.

Which is the better design depends on your needs and taste....

I have the Super 23, and build quality is better that any camera, but you still have to deal with leaf shutter problems and backs. Still except for a few problems with my 100mm f 3.5 it is bullet proof. Pulse with the 6x9 back you get the 35 mm format which is just great.

Mamiya Super 23 by John Carter, on Flickr
 
Fuji TX/Xpan series. They may take 35mm film but the image dimensions - on the long side - are MF. Titanium bodies, fantastic build quality and precision. Only down side is the very easily patina-ed paint. But let's just say that's intentional so you can see the titanium underneath..
 
Although they are quirky, I prefer the original Plaubel 6x9cm Makinas (III's and IIIR's are very nice). Build quality is fantastic and somewhat Leica-like. But only usuable if you can work with antiques. I really do enjoy using mine and they do not lack anything as far as I am concerned, but they do take some getting used to. You can fold one up and put it in a coat pocket.

Plaubel used to market these as "The Rolls Royce of Cameras". I'd agree with that completely but they are not for everybody. I struggled to get these to work for me but it has been absolutely worth the time and effort.


2016-07-15 13.41.57 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I started a Plaubel Makina thread here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150710&highlight=plaubel+makina
 
The Fuji GW (670,680,690) series is the toughest, there really is no comparison. The plastic body is sturdy, and absorbs shocks from drops and falls, the leaf shutter system is simple and reliable, and access to the important parts is possible with a minimum of tools. The only weak link is the winding lever, which can be broken off. The 645 is not as sturdy, don't let the little crash bar in front of the lens fool you, you can pull it off with your hand if you try.

The Fuji s are certainly good cameras and they stand up well. But I sold both of mine in favor of my Crown Graphic.

I think the Crown/Speed Graphic with Graphic 23 roll film holders is probably the toughest medium format rangefinder you will ever find. That wooden body absorbs amazing punishment and keeps coming back for more, even by wild and woolly Boy Scouts who have used (and abused) mine for the last few years trying to earn their photography badges.

The rangefinder has not lost accuracy in well over 10 years of use. The rangefinder contrast is still great and it is very easy to focus quickly. If the rangefinder ever did conk out, you could always fall back on the GG, which is a very useful Plan B.

Although lenses can quickly be changed, it does take a little time to re-collimate the rangefinder, though with the later models, focus cams can be built in advance if you know which lenses you want to use.

With two or three Graphic 23 film holders you can change film backs at will, going from color, to black and white to chrome in just seconds. If 6x9 isn't good enough 4x5 can quickly be substituted.

Finally, since weaponry seems to be a necessary criteria here, the Crown could be relied upon to protect you in a dark alley if needed. Light it ain't :)

I know they lost out to the Rolleiflex as the press corps camera of choice, but they are certainly a terrific rangefinder.

But it won't make a good anvil and I doubt it is bullet proof (with the possible exception of those bellows which are still original on mine.)
 
You should really try or rent a Mamiya 7 before saying things like "the build sucks." Those are tough cameras that feel good in the hand and give you excellent results.

they certainly give excellent results but tough is not a word i'd apply to a Mamiya 7
 
they certainly give excellent results but tough is not a word i'd apply to a Mamiya 7


Indeed. It's light, ergonomic, and gives stellar results. But it's plastic.
The wind-on mech whispers: "Take it easy! Slowly and surely, please." It gives a whiff of "Take care of me; I'm expensive but you will be rewarded" What else can you ask for? Use a bag.
 
I had a Fuji 6x7 and although robust i really found it very rough and i never liked the rendition of the lens... i think it might be a bad sample... but i never liked the images it produced...

Now i have a mamiya universal and 127mm, 100mm 2.8, 75mm and 50mm and been doing some work after a complete adjusting of the lenses to the camera and to each other (it´s really needed).

I must confess that i much prefer the lenses of the mamiya to the fuji... and the build quality is (in my view) better! the back is a must!!!

the weight and volume are immense

Mamiya 7 is a really good and modern rangefinder that i do not own but have used.
 
I have a Koni Omega and that thing built like a tank. And the frame advance feels like you're in an action movie.

The biggest downside to it is that it is very heavy and kind of complicated to use. But I love that thing. But you can get one very cheap and the picture quality is amazing at least to me. I have the 90mm lens, haven't tried the others, but from what I am reading they are all very good.
 
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