Comments on Fuji rangefinders, alternatives in MF?

[Spanik]

Got a G690BL, G670M and G645Zi and love them. The rangefinders could be a bit better and a warning that the cap is still on the lens would be great but compared to any folder they blow them away.

For taking along on a walk the G645Zi is king. Looks like a Fisher-Price toy but it sure isn't one. The G690BL is my favorite but taking it out with a bag of lenses isn't fun. The G670M is a mixed bag. It isn't smaller or lighter than the 690 but the format isn't square nor rectangular. Probably a matter of taste.

MF slr's aren't heavy. Got them in 6x6 and 6x4.5 and while they are heavier than a 135 the difference is worth it. Once you have seen a MF slide you don't want anything else. I do prefer slr's for general work: easier to focus, faster to focus, shorter working distance, faster glass, longer and wider glass, shift lenses, fish-eyes etc.

TLR's are fun but if you want something else than the default 75 or 80 you're left with some very heavy beasts. Even heavier than an slr and far quirckier. Can be rewarding if you take your time to learn to love them. But the interchangable lens ones take some time to love them.

 

[Texsport]

Good site shows some shots from 645 and 690 Fuji cameras.

http://arukucamera.net/FujiRF.html

Gary

But I don't think that the images shown are very representative of the typical results attained with these cameras.

Texsport

 

[_lou_]

The Bronica RF645 would qualify for size, image quality, price (almost), but as much as I love mine, I would not want to depend 100% on it for any trip longer than 2 days. I also suspect it does not like cold. Other than that, it's a great camera, but still is a rangefinder. Can you live with the lack of close-up ability ?

 

[c.poulton]

I've got a G645Zi - just perfect as a travel camera.... A little over budget though, so I would suggest a TLR - the Yashica Mat's are still fairly reasonable and have good lenses.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I like all kind of equipment but if it comes to shooting it comes down to quality vs portability for me, so I left out the TEXAS Leica's and the Rolleiflexes and Hasselblads and I'm trying the mid format folders: current user: Super Ikonta

 

[outfitter]

At $400 probably your only bet is a Graflex XL or Koni-Omega. Otherwise there are baby Linhofs, Mamiya-Press and Polaroid 600SE with roll-film adapter.

Cheers,

R.

To this one could add the Linhof 220. The Graflex XL roll film adapters leave a lot to be desired by way of film flatness while the Koni-Omega has among the best film flatness but weighs a ton - too much for a backpacker with a bad back.

 

[johannielscom]

I like all kind of equipment but if it comes to shooting it comes down to quality vs portability for me, so I left out the TEXAS Leica's and the Rolleiflexes and Hasselblads and I'm trying the mid format folders: current user: Super Ikonta

Mine is a Super Ikonta B from 1937, uncoated 2.8/80mm Tessar.

Built as a tank, folds flat and it even fits the wider pants pocket. Bit quirky to load (11 frames on a roll, but a 12th can be squeezed on there with a little trick) and I hand-crafted a lens hood for it to maintain some contrast in photos. The 1950s coated version is better in contrast, and similarly built.

On photography fairs I picked up some aluminium containers for roll film, with screw caps. I'm pretty confident that these will even keep water away from my exposed rolls, while they also can contain films in their plastic wrappers.

All in all a pretty decent hiking kit, I've just taken mine hiking through the hills in Germany and it performed flawlessly.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

Save up, and get the Hasselblad SWC/M , a different angle alternative would be the Hasselblad Xpan with the 45mm lens.

I agree... It beats leica M on many features... Superior quality compared to almost anything else...

 

[Pioneer]

I sometimes feel I could work only with medium format and my folders. I do understand the attraction for the convenience that the Barnack Leicas offered in the late 20s, but there is something magical in a print from a 6x9 negative that 35mm just can't match, even with the finest of lenses. The 105mm Agfa Solinar or Voigtlander Color Skopar make such beautiful negatives. Even the pre-war folders do terrific jobs with their uncoated lenses, especially if you shield the lens with a hood.

But I do enjoy the point and shoot convenience of the Fuji GA645 as well. The OP is certainly far past this decision point by now but the little Fuji is a great option though battery performance may suffer in the cold.

 

[kuzano]

Hello all,

3) The camera needs to be tough and dependable. It will definitely be used in cold (-25 Celsius if needed) and will travel in various backpacks all year around.

I've owned a number of the GS series camera's. Also about 4 of the GA645Zi.

I can tell you that your point three will be the biggest problem you will have with any of the GS series. Count them out at the lower temperatures. Not a fixable problem.

I truly liked the GA645Zi. Lots of automation and people badmouth the short zoom range, but hey it has a zoom range at least.

Sharp, excellent AF, excellent metering, quiet. Sold on with 234,000 shutter clicks still functional .....

 

[Frank Petronio]

The meter less Fujis have no issues in the cold, at least as good as anything else in the same conditions. I've lost track of this thread but being patient and waiting for a good buy on a Fuji Rangefinder would be a solid strategy.

My experience with meters in ALL the medium format cameras is that they are crude and primitive compared to their 35mm counterparts. Most are just broad average weighted akin to a 1970s SLR, nothing to get excited - or trusting - about.

And apologies to others but the 6x4.5 format never seemed worth the effort... 6x6 or 6x9 to be worthwhile.

 

[Gregoyle]

If you didn't have the light and compact requirement, I'd second (or third or fourth) what a few others have said and suggest a Koni-Omega. It has the advantage of 6x7, with great lenses that are also cheap. However, it weighs about 6 lbs/2.5 kg with lens. I'm also not sure about its availability in Estonia.

To fit within your lightweight requirement (no Koni-Omega), the wide angle requirement (most TLRs are out), and also under the $400 mark, I think your options are limited to the manual focus 645 SLRs. Probably the cheapest is the Bronica, but the Pentax and Mamiya are right behind. I think you could kit out a camera with 1 lens for under $400. Maybe 2 lenses with the Bronica. The Fuji ga645 is another option, but you'd need some patience to find a good one under $400.

You could probably also find a Bronica SQ series kit for under $400 if you want 6x6. The SQ really isn't that much bigger than the ETRS.

-Greg

 

[Moto-Uno]

I've reread most of this thread and am wondering if it's just me ? Hasselblad SWC,
Bronica RF645, Mamiya 6 & 7 and $400.00 . I'm thinking his joke about robbing a bank
has been taken seriously ! BUT, maybe I missed something. Peter

 

[Gregoyle]

I've reread most of this thread and am wondering if it's just me ? Hasselblad SWC,
Bronica RF645, Mamiya 6 & 7 and $400.00 . I'm thinking his joke about robbing a bank
has been taken seriously ! BUT, maybe I missed something. Peter

Ha! Yes, I was wondering the same thing myself. I think some people took it as a "name your favorite medium format" thread. A few people have tried to help with the cost issue, though 🙂

 

[minnichphoto]

If the budget is there Voigtlander Bessa III Wide. Big, bright rangefinder, silent operation, 6x6 or 6x7, ultra sharp 55mm lens, .7 minimum focus.

 

[BW400CN]

Pentacon Six TL von Michael Relguag auf Flickr

You might think about a P6!
Fantastic and cheap to get Zeiss glas and very fine to handle handheld. buy the cheapest you can get in complete condition and spend the 2-300,-€ for a service and upgrade and you get a relaiable workhorse. Don´t fiddle around with unserviced cheap cams that brought down the name of this East-German brick. A good cam with film transport control and serviced shutter is as good as any other cam in this class and the CZJ lenses are a class of its own!
​

 

[ottluuk]

Pentacon Six TL von Michael Relguag auf Flickr

You might think about a P6!
Fantastic and cheap to get Zeiss glas and very fine to handle handheld. buy the cheapest you can get in complete condition and spend the 2-300,-€ for a service and upgrade and you get a relaiable workhorse. Don´t fiddle around with unserviced cheap cams that brought down the name of this East-German brick. A good cam with film transport control and serviced shutter is as good as any other cam in this class and the CZJ lenses are a class of its own!
​

Oh, this old thread again...

Well, I didn't end up with any of the Fujis. At some point I got a beater Leica M4 and have been shooting 35mm pretty happily.

On the MF side I found a Kiev 6S kit with several lenses that I could have for free... but a couple of the lenses have mechanical problems and most of all, I don't really like the form factor. So I won't be getting a P6 anytime soon, I think.

My life is such that it seems to interfere with any camera bigger than a common DSLR. Too much moving around, too much packing, too little time. I recently added an old Welta 6x6 folder to my kit. It's a curious little thing, very compact, even (coat-) pocketable. But I've only had it for a couple of days.

This thread offered a variety of ideas and even though I ended up going a different route, I found it helpful. I think it will be valuable to others in a similar situation as well.

 

[Matus]

Thank you for coming back here and letting us know what route did you choose. Please do post a few from the Welta later.

 

[peteography]

Not sure if anyone had pointed it out, as I mostly skimmed the thread, but a mammy c220 with 55 or 65 mm lenses would cheap enough to fit the budget.

 

[NormanV]

I am going to join in with a recommendation for the Fuji GW690. Mine is the camera that I would keep if I had to get rid of all bar one. I take it when I go walking. I carry it on one shoulder under my jacket as I don't like to draw attention to myself. Mine is a very tatty example of the first model but works perfectly and produces wonderful negs that I can print up to A3+ when scanned on my Epson flat bed printer.