mamiya press or fuji 690

[ortogo]

next year i'm hoping to start a photography project i've been thinking about for a while now. i've been in the building/construction industry most of my working life and the project is along the lines of "the new topographers".
I shoot film, so will be using film cameras. I have LF cameras but I think 6x9 is more practical on a construction site. I own and use a fuji gw690 and really rate the camera, however due to the nature of construction sites I think a choice of lens is needed.
So here's the question do I buy a gsw690 with its wider lens and use this conjunction with my gw690 or go for a Mamiya universal press with multiple lenses?. Money wise i think either option is about equal looking at prices on e bay. Both cameras seem pretty bullet proof so can cope with a bit of rough handling and are relatively cheap as medium format goes. Looking for some insights from people who have been in this situation and which camera they would go for

 

[charjohncarter]

I have a Mamiya f6.3 65mm. I'll give you a link to my 65mm images:

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=8178676@N04&sort=date-taken-desc&text=65mm&view_all=1

Maybe because the lens is f6.3, but this lens is really good if you can stand the slow speed.

 

[B-9]

The Super 23 with its back movements might just give you some added flexibility.

 

[aizan]

Both are great choices.

If 65mm is wide enough, add a GSW690 to keep it simple. If you need wider, it's a lot cheaper to go with Mamiya. Their 50mm f/6.3 is only $300, but the Fujinon 50mm f/5.6 for G-series bodies is $1000-2000.

You might also be interested in cheaper 6x9 technical cameras like the baby Graflex 23 and Horseman VH.

 

[zillauser]

Really nice images on flicker.
I agree the Super 23 might be the best for your project with it's limited tilts.

 

[randy stewart]

camera choice

camera choice

As an alternative, consider a Koni Omega M or its eveal variations with its 58mm 5.6 lens. It is a much better integrated, easier to use, camera than the Mamiya models, and also quite inexpensive.

 

[zillauser]

Randy, that is a good recommendation. I was always intrigued by Koni Omega and saw many were used by wedding photogs. Never owned one though. Certainly a good choice for this project.

 

[Abbazz]

An interesting alternative is the original Fujica G690 (the one on my avatar). It's roughly the same as the later model but with a choice of interchangeable lenses ranging from 50 to 180mm. There is even a lens with an electronic shutter offering aperture-priority automatic exposure.

You can easily find a G690 body with its standard lens for very little money nowadays, but the other lenses could be more difficult to locate -except on Yahoo Japan, because this camera was very popular with Japanese professional photographers.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Baby Graphic is easy and approachable. You'll want the rangefinder calibrated for the lens you'll use. In Mamiya, I like the universal, lots of lenses, and good availability. Both are simple, straightforward cameras, simple independent mechanisms. If something goes bad, replace that part, not the whole rig.

 

[Agiknee]

Graflex XL?

 

[filmtwit]

The FUji for two reasons:

Better Optics
Smaller over all camera.

 

[zillauser]

Graflex XL?

I just started carrying an XL around this weekend. I've been using a Mamiya Universal which I like a lot. But the XL is a little smaller and a little handier. I like them both. Universe those probably easier to get components.