emraphoto
Veteran
Any folks with a bit of mileage on theirs care to comment on durability?
Thinking of picking up a gf670 for editorial work
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keytarjunkie
no longer addicted
I don't have one, I think it looks like a really nice camera but I went for a Mamiya 7 instead. If I were you, I would look at both of these cameras. The Fuji is more compact but I can't think of any other reason to buy it over the Mamiya.
emraphoto
Veteran
Not a fan of the 7. Love the lenses but the body is fragile in my opinion. Worked one into the dirt really fast and it left a ba taste in my mouth.
ssmc
Well-known
Okay first up I don't own a GF670, but the reason why I reluctantly passed may be relevant to you: for color work I love my DSLRs, but for B&W, film RULES. However, when I shoot B&W it's almost invariably with a filter like a Hoya G or a B+W 040. The deal-breaker for me wrt the GF670 is that you cannot close it with any kind of filter in place (completely inexplicable IMO - why could they not have shaped the front cover a bit differently to allow this???), which means either leaving it open all the time, somewhat defeating the purpose of a folder in the first place, or removing the filter every time you close it. Either one is not an option I think I could live with. However if you shoot color then ignore everything I just wrote 😉
On the other hand the new GF670W with a fixed 28mm equivalent lens looks great. I am waiting for the Fuji version to become available in the US and am keeping my fingers crossed that the price is proportionately in-line with the folder...
On the other hand the new GF670W with a fixed 28mm equivalent lens looks great. I am waiting for the Fuji version to become available in the US and am keeping my fingers crossed that the price is proportionately in-line with the folder...
thegman
Veteran
I believe from ultra thin filters can be fitted, and the lens can still be folded, you'd need to check though, and of course, be very careful.
I have only a little experience of the GF670, and I must say, I loved it. I have somewhat more experience of the Mamiya 7, and I prefer the GF670 in every way except that the lens is not my ideal focal length.
The GF670 is more portable than the Mamiya 7, and fits easily in a manbag. The Mamiya is more flexible if you want more focal lengths, but for an easy to carry around 6x7, I think the GF670 is the one to beat.
I have only a little experience of the GF670, and I must say, I loved it. I have somewhat more experience of the Mamiya 7, and I prefer the GF670 in every way except that the lens is not my ideal focal length.
The GF670 is more portable than the Mamiya 7, and fits easily in a manbag. The Mamiya is more flexible if you want more focal lengths, but for an easy to carry around 6x7, I think the GF670 is the one to beat.
netoga
Member
I have used my GF670 for 14 months.
I didn´t have any mechanical or electrical problem if that is what you are asking. Maybe you could refine your question about what aspect of durability are you concerned about.
It is not a robust camera, since it has bellows which could be damaged if pushed or pulled. But if you care about that, then it is going to last a long time in my opinion.
I didn´t have any mechanical or electrical problem if that is what you are asking. Maybe you could refine your question about what aspect of durability are you concerned about.
It is not a robust camera, since it has bellows which could be damaged if pushed or pulled. But if you care about that, then it is going to last a long time in my opinion.
t.s.k.
Hooked on philm
You're not suppose to chew - just swallow 🙂
Gosh, if you beat an M-7 to the ground, I hardly think a folder, any folder, would fare any better with the same treatment.
(Sorry, another IMHO from a gf670 NON-owner)
filmfan
Well-known
Plaubel Makina 6x7 is an option. Very portable. I used one once and it is tremendous, but maybe not the most durable thing out there.
Jamie123
Veteran
I had one (a Bessa III) for over a year. It's a nice camera but if the Mamiya 7 is too fragile for you then a GF670 will seem to you like it's made of cotton candy. You're probably better off with a couple of Mamiyas so you have backup instead one fails.
emraphoto
Veteran
the Mamiya 7 could handle the elements and such it just didn't handle my mistreatment very well. the strength in the 670, in my opinion, is it's portability. if the bellows were constantly open it would be a no go for me. the Mamiya 7 is a bit of a beast and thus suffers being tossed about on the back of a motorcycle taxi🙂 i have a 'no check the luggage' rule and things get banged about unfortunately.
i am primarily interested in shooting color so the b+w filter issue wouldn't bother me. a good point though!
emraphoto
Veteran
mamiya 7 is too much space taken up. i really am a lazy fella. the less the better.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
If the new Fuji 67 folder isn't tough enough, then another option would be to go cheap and use older folders or perhaps those 1980s Fuji 645s that were compact and decent.
Typical three options, pick two: quality, size, price... plus toughness for a fourth impossible factor lol.
Typical three options, pick two: quality, size, price... plus toughness for a fourth impossible factor lol.
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Jamie123
Veteran
When i say the GF670 isn't exactly rugged, I don't mean just when the bellows is extended. I wouldn't bang it around when it's folded, either. It's just not really an 'action' type camera.
emraphoto
Veteran
Thanx Jamie. That's the sort of info i am looking for.
I suppose a rollei might fit the bill. Still, shot with one of those 670's a month ago and man, very fluid experience.
I suppose a rollei might fit the bill. Still, shot with one of those 670's a month ago and man, very fluid experience.
Out to Lunch
Veteran
I asked and looked around: people are concerned with the longevity of the bellows in tropical -humid conditions -mold.
emraphoto
Veteran
Yeah, mold? Not good.
hausen
Well-known
I really love my GF670. It certainly feels like it needs to be treated nicely when extended but fits so easily in the bag it's a a concession worth making to me. I was more concerned with fallibility of my Mamiya 6 than I am with the Fuji. VF and meter are both significantly better than my Mamiya 6 as well. If you want something hardier maybe you should look at the Wide version?
Matus
Well-known
I would say - it you want a camera that is more rugged - get a Rolleiflex. Even that one is not a hammer, but does not have a rangefinder which is a rather fine mechanical device. The GF670 is flatter when folded - but not really small (6.5 cm thick if I recall properly - the Mamiya 6 with 75/3.5 lens collapsed is about 7.5 cm)
Turtle
Veteran
with the Rollei one has to be careful not to bash about the double lens panel area or it can become misaligned against the film. his can be reduced by racking the focus all the way back so it is not extended. Personally I would be wary of a TLR for your purposes John. The Bronica RF645 might be tougher than the Mamiya 7 but it has gear transport issues and with hard use is probably not the best bet.
If you ant 55mm, the wide angle version of the Fuji folder makes sense, tho it is not a folder. Still, smaller than a mamiya 7 with 50mm attached it seems. As for solidity, I cannot comment.
If you ant 55mm, the wide angle version of the Fuji folder makes sense, tho it is not a folder. Still, smaller than a mamiya 7 with 50mm attached it seems. As for solidity, I cannot comment.
kzphoto
Well-known
I owned a Rollei 3.5F for the better part of 10 years. It was a great shooter but it needed many repairs. Those repairs add up quickly, often costing more than the camera is worth.
I'd go for the new Fuji because it has a warranty.
The Rollei did have a great lens though. 🙂
I'd go for the new Fuji because it has a warranty.
The Rollei did have a great lens though. 🙂
