MF Rangefinder for Newby

[ppisczak]

I'm a newby here, but have eclectic tastes in cameras: Crown Graphic, Nikon F4s (2) + D70s, Mamiya RB67, Minolta Autocord TL, Bess R2, etc. I like all formats and seem to have a compulsion to own at least one type of camera of each. My favorite roll film to use is 120/220. I am getting a little tired of hauling the RB67 around (once took it to Egypt for a week, but that's another story).

I am looking for a compact MF Rangefinder camera to travel with on a casual basis. The Mamiya 7II looks a bit big to me. I was very interested in the Fuji GS645 but was disappointed to hear about it's fragility. I am looking for a MF camera for 120+220 film, which is durable, fixed lens OK, nice if it could do multiple formats, i.e. 6x6, 6x9 etc. and is smaller than my Nikon 35s. Might be alot to ask for, but does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

MechE

 

[Solinar]

A Bronica 645 comes to mind, albeit not inexpensive.

Personally, I prefer compact folders for portable medium format photography.

 

[lubitel]

Hi, if you are looking for some vintage stuff, this is a good site:

http://www.certo6.com/cameras.html

 

[Richard Black]

I think the reputation for the Fuji GS645 as fragile is a bit over blown. I have one that Camera Wiz replaced the billows with a nice leather one from G.B. and it is fantastic. Weight is acceptable to hike with all day. It folds easily into a pocket, a large pocket, and gets 15 shots per 120/30 shots per 220. Look at my gallery for images. I like it and will carry it most anywhere.

 

[wlewisiii]

Richard, how much did replacing the bellows cost?

William

 

[Richard Black]

William,
I'm sorry that I can't find the receipt; however, during the time Frank had the camera the price of the bellows increased to him to $105 or so due to the devalued dollar and the increased prices in England. It is worth it if want a fully functioning compact 645 r/f. I love mine!

 

[Finder]

I have travelled in Tibet, climbed in the Japanese Alps, and gone on a 900 mile hike with a Mamiya 6. The collapsable lens mount makes it very compact. You also have a choice of three lenses. I would not have done any of that with an RB67, so I am not crazy. 🙂

 

[boilerdoc2]

Mamiya 6 or 7. Very light weight. Lenses superb. Not that big, especially if you carried an RB to Egypt!
Steve

 

[jdos2]

"Compact" is all in the definition.

I'd recommend the Mamiya Universal. The standard 100mm f/2.8 lens is a full stop brighter than anything for the 6 or 7, and is a wonderful lens. Adaptable. Transportable.

With regards to the "certo6" site, know that "more than one person here" (including me!) has suffered Bad Business with him. Buyer beware, as always (though many here have had good luck with him)

 

[boarini2003]

I second the Mamiya suggestion. It's an amazing camera.

 

[Finder]

I'd recommend the Mamiya Universal. The standard 100mm f/2.8 lens is a full stop brighter than anything for the 6 or 7, and is a wonderful lens.

Since when is f/2.8 a full stop brighter than f/3.5 which is the maximum aperture for the 75mm lens for the Mamiya 6?

 

[jdos2]

Oh, NOES!

Apologies, I'll rephrase: "Almost a full stop," brighter.

 

[Chaser]

I think the reputation for the Fuji GS645 as fragile is a bit over blown. I have one that Camera Wiz replaced the billows with a nice leather one from G.B. and it is fantastic. Weight is acceptable to hike with all day. It folds easily into a pocket, a large pocket, and gets 15 shots per 120/30 shots per 220. Look at my gallery for images. I like it and will carry it most anywhere.

I have to agree my experience with the FujiGs645 has been nothing but positive... I even had a Gs645 and a Gs645s at the same time and kept the folder because its rangefinder was a lot brighter..

 

[wlewisiii]

Interestingly, in light of this and one other thread about Fuji RFs, I note this auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...70003742582&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

If I had the spare money, I'd get one just in case I got my hands on a cheap one w/ bad bellows...

William

 

[mdelevie]

For really astonishing portability, you could try a vintage Voigtlander Bessa folder. (...not to be confused with the current Bessa line of 35mm Cosina cameras)

The medium format Bessa rangefinders are able to shoot 6x9 cm or 6x4.5 with a mask. You'll only be able to shoot 120 film; the window in the back would fog 220 without the protective paper in between.

Standard lenses are circa 105mm f/3.5, either the vaskar, skopar, heliar, or (rare) lanthar. Standard shutters are the Compur, Compur-Rapide, and Synchro-Compur, and some others that I can't recall at the moment.

For portability, they're amazing. They fold into a flat, smooth package that just about fits in your jeans pocket... no problem at all in a coat pocket. They're light and simple and robust.

As Henry Ford allegedly said, "parts left off the car will never break," so you needn't worry about the meter on a Bessa -- there ain't one! I use the sunny 16 rule, but if you're doing tricky exposures in MF you'll be carrying a small lightmeter anyway.

Parallelism of the lens to the film plane can be an issue, or not, depending whom you talk to. I've noticed no sharpness issues on my two examples. I rather like the intangible qualities (bokeh, creaminess, color rendition) of the Vaskar, and the Heliar is 'sharp enough' for me.

The Bessa II and RF are rangefinders, the original Bessa and Bessa I are range-guesstimation cameras.

A Plaubel Makina might also fit the bill. This camera has a meter, is much more 'modern' if a bit heavier and more vulnerable to damage. (the Bessa covers up everything important when it's folded) The Plaubel Makina uses a Nikkor 80mm f/2.8 normal lens or a 55mm f/4.5 in the 'wide' Plaubel Makina W67. The 80/2.8 is really fast for medium format, and either lens has a robust pantograph structure to hold the lens parallel to the film when it's extended. Damn fine camera if you can find one, and still plenty compact for the negative size. These come up on oBoy pretty regularly.

Good luck, let us know what you choose!

 

[Krosya]

I'd second that Voigtlander Bessa 6x9 is a great camera. I too have one - with Skopar and it's great. Yes, some are better examples than others, but fully adjusted, CLA'd it's a beautiful machine. I love using mine. If you look - I have some pictures posted from mine on this site - see other threads. You may be surprised to see what 1937 camera can do.
As other suggestions go - there many cameras that will do a good just - if they are in good condition. Those are - Iskra, Welta, Certo6, Balda, etc. QUestion is - how can you get your hands on one that is fully working and well adjusted - as people don't like to let those go.
Read other threads in this section of the web site - you will learn a lot.
TLR may be a good and fairly portable option too. Can't go wrong with Rolleiflex. Yashicas are great too. Some others.
I'll try to post more pics later to give some idea what older cameras are capable of.

Ok, here is an adition - 3 photos - sorry quick and dirty scans. I'll let you guess what photo was taken with what camera. All were taken same day - one with my new Hassy, one with Bessa 6x9 with Scopar, and one with Iskra. How much difference can you tell? see them full size.
George

 

[Andrew McK]

The first that comes to mind is this on in my local camera shop

http://www.quiggs.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/21_2131_213161/products_id/3801

I thought the fragile Fuji one was the Gs645s. Fragile because it folds and the bellows wear out.