Plaubel Makina W67

[brothernature]

I recently used one and I'm absolutely thrilled with it. I have used the 67 version, but the W67 is just that much more compact when extended + has the wider lens that I just love.

I attempted posting in the classifieds a WTB, but kept getting an error. Does anyone know of a good place to source one other than ebay? I would also be interested in getting one that is "for parts" and repairing it.

 

[oldwino]

They occasionally show up at KEH, and I found mine at Camera West. There aren't that many out there, so you'll have to check shops and marketplace sites (like Fred Miranda's) frequently.

 

[Archlich]

They are absolute pigs to repair though...

 

[Godfrey]

They are absolute pigs to repair though...

I don't know how difficult they are to repair, compared to any other complex, rangefinder coupled, folding camera. What is difficult, in my opinion, is finding not only the skills required on the part of the technician but the parts needed when something has broken. The Plaubel Makina cameras have been out of production for about 35-40 years, and were always expensive and low production. So finding parts becomes a major issue, outside of the skills needed to do the work.

I bought my Makina 67 from a vendor in Japan. It had an issue in the viewfinder that he was unaware of ... the beam splitter had come apart. My usual repair service shop had no idea where they could find a replacement part and didn't have the equipment needed to repair the original part; they returned the camera unrepaired. It took some time, but I found a technician who has the skills and access to parts ... he restored my camera to as new condition. The price wasn't low, but the excellent vendor in Japan refunded back to me about half of it as a gesture of good will.

They're really nice cameras in use... not fast, but solid, with excellent lenses that make beautiful negatives and transparencies. I'd wanted one for many years, and I enjoy using it.

G

 

[bucs]

I attempted posting in the classifieds a WTB, but kept getting an error. Does anyone know of a good place to source one other than ebay? I would also be interested in getting one that is "for parts" and repairing it.

Are you on reddit? If so, post a WTB on r/photomarket. I bought my W67 there.