Searching for MF rangefinder options...

[Blake Werts]

I've got a friend that is interested in getting a MF rangefinder camera with the following "requirements":

- medium format
- rangefinder
- non-folder
- 120 film (not 620)
- non waist-level-finder
- 6x9 preferred, 6x4.5 would be fine

He has used, and really likes, the Kodak Medalist II camera but wants a 120 option--he's not a fan of respooling film.

Are there any options out there?
Blake

 

[Arvay]

Fuji GSW or GW 690 (II or III)

 

[JayC]

Why skip the 6x7 format?

 

[samoksner]

6*9 is not the most common size and for most purposes, quite impractical due to the low number of shots per roll.

The most obvious option to me (apart from those mentioned) would be a Mamiya 6 or 7. Many MF cameras are not RFs, of the SLR, many are waist level, of the RFs, only a few are not folders... It's a very specific request...

 

[StanSmith]

I have used most of them - Mamiya 6, Mamiya 7, Fuji 690GW, Fuji GS645, Bronica RF645 and here are the pros and cons starting with 6x9.

GW690II - pro: huge negs, awesome Fujinon lens, best built, simple, industrial. cons: one lens, lack of creature comforts, i.e., meter, (but many would put that in the pro side), huge. It is more of a tripod camera.

Mamiya 7II - pro: the wide angles!, AE, easy to use. Con: I thought it was the least well built of all the cameras on my list. Much bigger than Mamiya 6 and cannot be folded.

Mamiya 6 - pro: 50mm to die for and it and the barrel collapses into the body. Two bodies with 50 and 75 attached can fit comfortably into a Billingham Alice bag!! Con - discontinued!

Fuji GS645 - same comment as GW690 but about half the size. Robust. But I don't like the portrait format.

Bronica RF645 - top class lenses. Highest built quality. Rock solid. No complaints. Still don't like portrait orientation.

 

[Blake Werts]

6*9 is not the most common size and for most purposes, quite impractical due to the low number of shots per roll.

The most obvious option to me (apart from those mentioned) would be a Mamiya 6 or 7. Many MF cameras are not RFs, of the SLR, many are waist level, of the RFs, only a few are not folders... It's a very specific request...

Indeed it IS a very specific request which is why I'm coming to you guys here on the forum for help. I've suggested to him that maybe what he really wants is a Medalist II that has been "modified" to accept 120 film on 120 spools.

Keep the suggestions coming!
Thanks,
Blake

 

[Frank Petronio]

The Fuji 6x9 pair is the best IMHO. I've owned a few and they all are so sharp that TMX in 6x9 looks a lot like TMY in 4x5.

I had three Mamiya 6 bodies and the winding mechanism is crap, I would not buy a used one even though the lenses are great. Same for the Brooks Veriwide and Plaubel cameras.

I have a Medalist II that I use with 620 for fun. I think a cleaned up/120-modified one would be nice, with a slightly longer lens than most.

You'll laugh but the older Mamiya Press cameras (sort of like the Graflex XL) with interchangeable lenses and backs are worthwhile, cheap, etc. But I would pass on the Graflex and Koni-Omega cameras of this type (poor build quality compared to the Mamiya Super).

A Linhof "Baby" Technika with some fast Zeiss and Xenotar lenses would be the ultimate -- you could actually use some longer and faster f/2.8 lenses too. There is a Horseman variation too. And don't forget the Alpa and Fotoman type cameras -- there are numerous home-brew variations of these -- a 6x9 back and a small view camera lens married to a spacer and viewfinder.

And finally, if you want a big hunk of 120 film from a camera, consider 6x12 fixed panoramics and even the spinning lens Noblex cameras!

If you are a digital output type of guy consider that scanners capable of doing medium format film justice are few and expensive, ie Nikon Coolscan 9000 for $2000+ is the only real inexpensive option. Scanning 120 is what keeps me from bothering with 120 anymore.

 

[djonesii]

I have the Bronica 645RF and the Fuji GA645, they are very different beasts. Not to slag off the Fuji, but it acts more like a big point and shoot with the ability to shoot in manual mode. Love the AF and the built in flash. For event work, its way easier than the range finder method of shooting. The Bronica is a sweet camera. From my perspective, its every bit as ergonomic as my M6, if not more, I find the range finder patch a joy to use. For what I am doing, the 6X4.5 format is just fine ( for the moment ).

As to size, both of them are smaller than my D300 + grip. Both of them are way bigger than my Panisonic G1 w/ Cine F1.5 25mm prime. But that really does not matter, as I am thinking of adding a 4X5 to the stable, they are all small by comparision!

In terms of build quality, the Bronica is simply the best feeling camera I have ever used, and my comparison points are Leica M6, Nikon D300, Panasonic G1, Canon G9, and of course the Fuji.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Dave

 

[borrel]

Give the Mamiya Super 23 (with an "M" back) a try. Reasonably compact without the grip, interchangeable backs (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9), extermely robust, great selection of lenses, will take ground glass screen, extension tubes for closeups and it even has a tilting back. The Mamiya Universal does not have the tilting back but takes both pack film and 4x5 Polaroid backs. Both are excellent starting points for medium format and affordable enough to keep as your appetite grows.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Asterisks are the ones I own or have used extensively:

Linhof Tech 70*

Graflex XL*

Polaroid 600SE with roll-film adapter*

Mamiya Press with LATE lenses

Well-preserved (not abused) Koni-Omega.

Combat Graphic 70mm.

Alpa (OK no RF but some stunning lenses -- I love my Biogon)*

Rollei TLR with RF adapter in the sports finder (yes, there was one)

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[sooner]

I have to admit I'm puzzled why your friend would prefer 6x9 but find 6x4.5 acceptable, and completely skips over 6x7. Why not "average" the two sizes and get a 6x7? The reason I harp on this is that some mf users think 6x4.5 is too small, and your parameters would ignore two of the most obvious choices, the Mamiya 6 and 7. I have the Mamiya 7 as of recently and agree, it is not as well built as the Fujis but is lighter. I'm still experimenting to see just how much better the optics are, if at all. So far, honestly, I haven't been blown away. My Fuji 6x7 is awesome, but I it's heavy and I miss the built in light meter. I also have the RF645 and that thing is perfect, unless you think 6x4.5 isn't enough negative. The best value, given cost and quality, is Fuji, hands down.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I have to admit I'm puzzled why your friend would prefer 6x9 but find 6x4.5 acceptable, and completely skips over 6x7. Why not "average" the two sizes and get a 6x7? . . . The best value, given cost and quality, is Fuji, hands down.

Image shape. Personally I really like Linhof 6x7 (56x72mm) but don't like most other 6x7 (typically 56x68mm). That tiny extra length makes a disproportionately large difference to me. And my wife much prefers 6x9cm (56x84) to 6x7cm on our Alpas. (I much prefer 66x44mm and '6x8cm' Mamiya.)

Square formats are normally cropped -- I typically run 56x56mm at 56x35-45mm -- and it takes practice to 'see' cropped in the finder.

Fuji? No. I don't like the ergonomics or the overall 'feel'. For me, equally, the hands-down winner at an affordable price is a 'baby' Linhof.

This doesn't mean that I'm right or that you're wrong -- except in personal choice. You may much prefer your camera, and I can equally much prefer mine. That doesn't mean that the OP (or his chum) will prefer either.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[venchka]

I am not the seller. I am only the messenger.

Currently for sale at the Large Format Photography Forum:

don't want to get rid of either, so I'm kinda hoping someone will buy one or the other.

Both the Fuji and the Rollei (setup) are in MINT condition, especially for the age.

1) Fuji 6X9 Rangefinder with 90mm Lens. Version II all metal based one w/Strap and a Schneider Push-Cap (sorry but I do not have the original cap and also advise getting a new cap as the Schneider is a surface based push cap that doesn't really do much other than protect anything from getting onto the lens).

Very clean and clear glass, body really extremely clean, purchased for $650 about 4 months ago and now the market seems to have dropped.

Fully guaranteed perfect working condition or I will refund your money.

$500 for this one.