Longevity: Makina 67 vs Fuji GF670/Bessa III

[jaredangle]

I am planning to buy another medium format rangefinder for overseas travel, particularly landscapes in areas where I wouldn’t want to hike with a medium format SLR. I already own a Fuji GSW690, but I want something more compact and not so wide (both in focal length and aspect ratio).

My main requirements are (1) working rangefinder, (2) collapsible lens, (3) 645/6x6/6x7 format, (4) modern-ish lens coatings, and (5) normal focal length.

The Fuji GS645 series is the inexpensive choice, but I don’t love the vertical orientation, and I don’t have a great understanding of the lens quality.

In terms of lens quality, I know that the Makina 67 and the GF670 have exactly what I’m looking for. But with one being older and having a reputation for being difficult to repair, and the other being fully electronic and no longer supported by the manufacturer, it’s hard to tell which one has the better likelihood of remaining functional, say 10 years from now.

What’s the community’s verdict?

 

[jaredangle]

Oops, didn’t realize there is an identical thread from 2020 - feel free to delete this.

 

[Out to Lunch]

In case you haven't seen this

Fuji GF670 Review: 11 Reasons Why You Should Buy! - Leica Blog (Matt Osborne)

Here is my Fuji GF670 Review / Voigtlander Bessa III Review - Medium Format Rangefinder Film Camera

mrleica.com

 

[38Deardorff]

I'd take the Makina everytime.... repairs are still possible

 

[Oren Grad]

IIRC, these folks...

Fuji Film Repair - SPTS

...were/are(?) the last shop in the US known to be repairing GF670's. You could ask them whether they can still do it.

That said, I owned a GF670 for a while. I did not have any problems with it, but one of the reasons I sold it was because the folding mechanism felt quite fragile to me and I had my doubts about its longevity/long-term repairability.

Even as far as the Makina 67/670 cameras, though, I'd suggest identifying a specific repair shop or shops that are supposed to be able to work on them, and contacting them to verify that that is still true, and how long they expect to be able to continue.

 

[besk]

It doesn't fold which may eliminate it from consideration but a Rolleiflex is something I would consider. The ones with a f/3.5 lens weigh the same or are slightly lighter than the Makina.
I have carried my Rolleiflex in a very small bag in Europe.

 

[Iogdka]

Well, I'm waiting for a GS645 CLA'd with new bellows from Japan. My third 645 but I'm hoping to pocket it around France and Italy next year.