Plaubel Makina 67

[jyl]

I just ran across a very interesting camera - a Plaubel Makina 67.

Anyone have experience with this camera?

It is a 6x7, takes 120 rollfilm, 80mm f2.8 Nikkor lens, rangefinder with typical RF focusing patch, manual shutter speed and aperture controls, simple + 0 - exposure meter in viewfinder which apparently is a semi-spot as it reads just the focusing patch, the camera collapses down to pretty thin as the lens folds up on a bellows.

The seller wanted $750, I was tempted but needed to go home and do some research - I hadn't heard of these cameras before.

 

[drewbarb]

OH MY GOD! I love this camera- it's an incredible camera to shoot with. The lens is excellent, and the camera is so small and light- I believe it's the most compact 6x7 rangefinder ever built. They can be a bit delicate, but are very well made, and when you find one in good condition, it's never wise to let it go. I have been casually looking for a good user version of this camera for three years, and never found one for less than $1200. $750 is a STEAL if it's in good shape. If you don't want it, send me the seller's contact info! (Seriously...)

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I like them a lot.
i've had 4 so far two 67's and two 670's.
I use only one now it's the second version 670. I'd snap it at $750 i paid almost £1000 UKP a couple of years back.

They are vunerable though, my current one was virtually rebuilt by Plaubel last year and although they don't make them any more the company still exists and all parts are available.

Most common problems are:

meter wires breaking, rangefinder misalignment and the mechanism that measures the frame spacing.

That said it does produce some amazing images even wide open at 2.8.

The wider version 67W with a 55mm Nikkor lens is also worth a look but they sell for much more.

For sheer robustness i'd also look at the Fujica 670 models 11 and 111
I use the GW 690 III the larger version not as compact as the Plaubel but the lens quality is exceptional.

 

[jyl]

OK, I'm calling the selller tommorrow and buing it, if he still has it.

Not great timing - I just moved, have no darkroom, sarted a new job, no time to shoot - but sounds like something I shouldn't let pass by.

 

[JonasYip]

Sounds like you've already been convinced to buy the camera, but just wanted to add another "thumbs up" for the 67. I traded mine away unfortunately, but it was a cool camera. Like Simon says, there are known potential problems. Mine had a meter that didn't work most of the time because of the fragile wiring, but that didn't really bother me.

j

 

[Honus]

Another thumbs up for the Plaubel Makina 67. The ONLY camera that I have ever regretted selling. The issues listed by Simon are correct, however, mine worked flawlessly for over 20 years. If you decide to pass and drewbarb passes, I would be interested in it as well.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Slightly OT but I think i'd look for the W67 if i was to want another 120 rangefinder.

Even more OT seeing as jvl is going to buy the camera anyway 😀
I've never been able to really solve the problem of working in two formats side by side for current projects. That's what was initially attractive about working with the folding Plaubel instead of the Fuji. But then the practical issues of carrying two or three 120 RF's and the masses of film required (you only get 8 shots with the Fuji 690!) usually means the 35 kit has to stay at home. So, recently i've found myelf working with only one format at time then revisiting with the other one for specific images.

 

[thirteen]

There is one available in Toronto, Canada. Dealer will ship to US. In 8+ condition though the meter is not working. Price is $1199 Cdn (+tax which can be refunded to US customers). Contact me for further info. if interested.

 

[Jim Watts]

I have owned both Plaubel Makina 67 (80mm lens) and W67 (55mm lens), both are excellent but my preference has always been for the wider angle and more compact W67. I part exchanged my 67 with a dealer to help fund an R-D1 purchase 2 years ago and still got 650 GBP ($1150) (which was more than I paid new when I brought it) and there is one on sale at Aperture in the U.K for 850 GBP at the moment :
http://www.apertureuk.com/used-MedFor/plaubel.htm

So $750 is a really good price, but do check it out carefully when you get it as they can be problems as Simon indicates above.

In addition to those pointed out by Simon check:
The foam Light Seals in the back - the foam was starting to become sticky and break up on the 67 I sold, but I had used it for about 20 years.

The battery contacts can be corroded if the batteries are not changed/used for sometime.

The rangefinder can become misalinged (usually caused by closing the camera without returning the focus to infinity. I suggest it is always good practice to do this before closing.

Shutter failure due to the linkage breaking, especially on the 67, which is longer with more tension. I had this a few times with the 67, but never on the W67.

I'm glad Simon says that they can still be rebuilt though, as I still love my W67 and although some of the alternatives are good they are nowhere near as compact. Even with the cost of 'minor' repairs yours is great value - enjoy.

I posted a few images from the W67 in an earlier thread here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10564 sometime ago. Not really good scans though so they don't really show what the camera is capable of.

So check out Simon's excellent work with the 67 and other rangefinders as well. What progress with your exhibition Simon?

 

[nightfly]

I was just looking into these yesterday.

For $750 you should definetley pick it up. If you don't like it, just re-sell it here.

 

[jyl]

Called seller, made deal to buy it for $500. Am sending check, when I get it, I'l post impressions here. I doubt I will re-sell it though, sorry 🙂

I read up on the weak spots - wires under scissors linkage, mainly. I didn't get a chance to examine it very closely yesterday, but the meter worked so the wires are probably more or less okay. The bellows was in good shape. The foam is intact but "sticky" so needs replacement before too long. The shutter seemed ok, at least 1 sec was okay. The aperture worked. Didn't check battery compartment corrosion. Camera showed few signs of prior use.

 

[Chaser]

$500 are you serious. Nice deal. I always keep my eye out for these as it is on my short list of cameras I plan to own.