Travelling with a Makina 67

[tofufuto]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if other Makina 67 users out there can share their experiences with this camera. From what's commonly said about the earlier 67 version, the camera's winding mechanism seems to need careful treatment.

Besides taking note of that, what I'm curious about is if the camera can stand up to the "abuses" of travel, say, being hung around the neck all day and maybe taking some bumps. How do you guys treat your camera? Anyone backpacked with it? I'm not talking about being overly protective (preventing scratches and such) but more of whether the camera can stand up to being used extensively when travelling and not have issues like shutter speed being off or rangefinder misalignment etc.

I've brought mine outdoors a few times and other than reminding myself to advance the film gently and not to ever drop it or poke the bellows, its still running fine.

Anyone's run 100+ rolls with your M67 and still have it going strong? Would love to hear your experiences if you've used your camera extensively!

 

[Archlich]

Ishikawa Naoki, an adventurer/photographer whose works I genuinely enjoy, shot his earlier work exclusively with a Makina 67 (later a Mamiya 7, also known for its "defects" - I had one's winding mechanism died on me):

http://www.straightree.com/works/index.html (scroll down)

You can see where the camera had been to.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

I borrowed one for a month or so and shot in rain and snow here in NYC and left it around my neck most of the time and it was fine.

 

[Highway 61]

Wim Wenders travelled in the American far west with a Makina 67 in 1983, looking for some material to prepare his famous Paris, Texas movie.

Look here.

 

[tofufuto]

Ishikawa Naoki, an adventurer/photographer whose works I genuinely enjoy, shot his earlier work exclusively with a Makina 67 (later a Mamiya 7, also known for its "defects" - I had one's winding mechanism died on me):

http://www.straightree.com/works/index.html (scroll down)

You can see where the camera had been to.

Thanks! Just remembered that I've seen his work in a magazine. They did a whole issue covering his exploits on Everest and K2 and had a small section on his camera gear! I think I saw the Makina and Mamiya alongside an Olympus digital camera!

Kinda answers my curiosity about the reliability of the Makina seeing how this photographer brings his to such extreme environments.

 

[jawarden]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if other Makina 67 users out there can share their experiences with this camera. From what's commonly said about the earlier 67 version, the camera's winding mechanism seems to need careful treatment.

Besides taking note of that, what I'm curious about is if the camera can stand up to the "abuses" of travel, say, being hung around the neck all day and maybe taking some bumps. How do you guys treat your camera? Anyone backpacked with it? I'm not talking about being overly protective (preventing scratches and such) but more of whether the camera can stand up to being used extensively when travelling and not have issues like shutter speed being off or rangefinder misalignment etc.

I've brought mine outdoors a few times and other than reminding myself to advance the film gently and not to ever drop it or poke the bellows, its still running fine.

Anyone's run 100+ rolls with your M67 and still have it going strong? Would love to hear your experiences if you've used your camera extensively!

I'm not rough with mine but don't see why you couldn't take your Makina most places. I'd just keep it folded when not making images and not worry. And if the images are important just carry a backup camera.

A medium format folder won't be as robust as a tough 35mm camera of course, but it's a well built camera that's meant to be used after all. And if you break it Makina can service it for you. Go for it.

 

[rybolt]

I have two of them and they've had at least 1,000 rolls through each. No issues at all with either except I cracked the VF glass on one of them. Just a hairline. If you shoot TMAX film you should advance slowly and smoothly due to the additional thickness of the emulsion.
Also, when collapsing the camera don't let it slam shut. Hold it and release it gently.
Probably the best camera I've ever owned.

 

[tocalosh]

I think the makina 67 makes a great travel camera! As long as you understand that there are a couple of areas of operation where you must be more gentle with them, i.e. film advance and collapsing the bellows.

One of the most underrated advantage of them is that Plaubel still service them in Germany! There aren't many film camera brands that still do in-house servicing, especially on a product thats over 30 years old.

 

[jawarden]

One of the most underrated advantage of them is that Plaubel still service them in Germany! There aren't many film camera brands that still do in-house servicing, especially on a product thats over 30 years old.

Exactly. I had Plaubel give my W67 a CLA, new seals etc last year and it came back in perfect condition. There's no reason it couldn't last for many years to come.

 

[tocalosh]

Exactly. I had Plaubel give my W67 a CLA, new seals etc last year and it came back in perfect condition. There's no reason it couldn't last for many years to come.

Same with my 67, it came back working so smooth, it's like new.

 

[Bendj]

The winding mechanism went on my W67 and Plaubel fixed it for me (albeit for a hefty price).

Personally I wouldn't take mine on a extended trip for fear of breakdown, I'd take my Rollei as I feel it is more robust and I'd be less paranoid of it failing due to a bang or a knock.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Wow...the Wim Wenders' pics are great...as is the movie...

 

[Liam Maloney]

I brought one on a 3-month long documentary shoot that went from extreme alpine conditions to remote arctic islands, on small aircraft and in speedboats. Never had any issues. It was always a joy to put down the big cameras and shoot stills with the Plaubel, and it's super compact when folded. I regret selling mine and will probably get another one of these days. The lens is incredible and the unique focusing mechanism is a joy to use.

 

[tofufuto]

I brought one on a 3-month long documentary shoot that went from extreme alpine conditions to remote arctic islands, on small aircraft and in speedboats. Never had any issues. It was always a joy to put down the big cameras and shoot stills with the Plaubel, and it's super compact when folded. I regret selling mine and will probably get another one of these days. The lens is incredible and the unique focusing mechanism is a joy to use.

Thats amazing. Quite reassuring to read about how far others have brought their Makina. And yea the lens is the primary reason to get this camera!

 

[user237428934]

Thats amazing. Quite reassuring to read about how far others have brought their Makina. And yea the lens is the primary reason to get this camera!

The Makina is on my very short list of cameras I want to have. So if you are not sure if the camera is a reliable travel companion, I offer you my help as a tester. Just give me the camera for a year and I test it thoroughly. You will get a longish test report for free. 😀

 

[MikeL]

The 67/670 is a brick when folded and can take plenty of abuse. I've used it and a SWC as my travel cameras for years. On my last trip to Japan, my 670 fell out of my bag, off a Kodoji bar stool, and slid across the floor. Works fine. (Thanks Gabor and Jon for too much shochu)

When extended I wouldn't want to drop it, however.

 

[Nokton48]

Hmmmm I know this is about 80s Makinas, but looking at those Wenders West photos makes me want to load some color into my Makina IIIR and III

 

[emraphoto]

I brought one on a 3-month long documentary shoot that went from extreme alpine conditions to remote arctic islands, on small aircraft and in speedboats. Never had any issues. It was always a joy to put down the big cameras and shoot stills with the Plaubel, and it's super compact when folded. I regret selling mine and will probably get another one of these days. The lens is incredible and the unique focusing mechanism is a joy to use.

i always had the notion that the Plaubel was rather fragile. my world just went topsy turvy! can't believe i have avoided them this long. doh!

 

[maddoc]

The 67/670 is a brick when folded and can take plenty of abuse. I've used it and a SWC as my travel cameras for years. On my last trip to Japan, my 670 fell out of my bag, off a Kodoji bar stool, and slid across the floor. Works fine. (Thanks Gabor and Jon for too much shochu)

When extended I wouldn't want to drop it, however.

Wow, I don`t remember that part! 😱

 

[MikeL]

i always had the notion that the Plaubel was rather fragile. my world just went topsy turvy! can't believe i have avoided them this long. doh!

It's fragile if you were to bang it hard while extended, it can't take the abuse something like a Pentax 67 can. I don't use it for reportage, so I don't need it available in an instant. But it's pretty fast to use from folded. And when folded it, can take abuse.

The lens, and the confidence I have with the focusing mechanism when using it at f2.8 (I'm less confident focusing a Hasselblad or Rolleiflex wide open) makes it worth being a little conscientious when extended.