Which one: GF670 or Makina 67/W67 or Mamiya 6?

[shorelineae]

Bought a Makina 67

Bought a Makina 67

Update: I sold my Fuji GF670 because it was too perfect 🙂 The images were too sharp and clinical. The shutter was too quiet and I was burning through rolls.

On the other hand, I feel like the photographs I took with my stuttering Bronica S2 have been tons better. The latter camera skips frames now and then unless I wind it _Extremely_ slowly, so it has slowed me down to a snail's pace.

Also, it may be that I prefer SLR MFs over Rangefinders? I don't know.... I enjoy seeing the image on the waist level finder for sure.

So this happened: I bought a Makina 67 after pondering for a long time over the Mamiya 7. Very happy so far. I still prefer the SLR experience (and I have kept the Bronica S2A for now), but I needed (wanted) something portable - taking the whole bag with Bronica and the backs was tiring me out. Now, I can just slip the Makina into my EDC.

The Nikkor 80mm on the Makina is a descendant of the Bronica S2A's 75mm Nikkor , if the Internet is to be believed. In the end, the Mamiya lost out because of this key point - I didn't want a "clinical look" in my images.

 

[Godfrey]

I'd always wanted a Plaubel Makina 67 or Mamiya 6 but haven't had the opportunity to acquire or use one. I had the modern Voigtländer 6x7 folder (same as the Fuji) and found it made nice photos, but was un-enthralled with it.

For this type of medium format camera, I have two choices now that I like: A Voigtländer Perkeo II (a 6x6 camera) and a Fuji GS645S Wide 60. Both make excellent photos.

I'd still like a Plaubel Makina 67. 🙂

And yeah, I'm not giving up the Hasselblad 500CM anytime soon. 😀

G

 

[jawarden]

So this happened: I bought a Makina 67 after pondering for a long time over the Mamiya 7. Very happy so far. I still prefer the SLR experience (and I have kept the Bronica S2A for now), but I needed (wanted) something portable - taking the whole bag with Bronica and the backs was tiring me out. Now, I can just slip the Makina into my EDC.

The Nikkor 80mm on the Makina is a descendant of the Bronica S2A's 75mm Nikkor , if the Internet is to be believed. In the end, the Mamiya lost out because of this key point - I didn't want a "clinical look" in my images.

Now you need a W67 to complete the kit. ;-)

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Now you need a W67 to complete the kit. ;-)

However IMO nothing beats travelling with one camera and one lens.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

.
My only concern is that focusing at f3.5 is not easy. After the first roll I thought the rangefinder was not well calibrated and I made a more accurate test. According to the results I think is well calibrated but I have to say that focusing is difficult at f3.5 specially with low light. I will avoid f3.5 as much as possible. This is not a problem because at f4 the bokeh is wonderful.

/QUOTE]

Pedro, if your camera isn't focusing at 3.5..,.it's a question of rangefinder calibration, which has been identified as an issue with the Fuji GF670. Maybe not all of them, but i know of one that got sent back to Fuji USA twice. It's a rangefinder so there's no reason that it should be more difficult to focus at 3.5

 

[Deleted member 65559]

. In the end, the Mamiya lost out because of this key point - I didn't want a "clinical look" in my images.

Shorelinea, I'm not sure where you your impression of 'clinical look', for Mamiya lenses. I used a Mamiya 6 for a number of years and never found that to be the characteristic. The 50mm especially was one of my favourite lenses. If you don't want the 'clinical look'.... avoid Fuji Acros, don't scan or digitally print your images.
My regular set-up was FP4+ in Pyrocat HD and printed on FB paper. Check out the cowboy photos of Adam Jahiel, all shot on Mamiya 6. None of them look clinical to me. BTW I saw his gelatin silver prints on display in a gallery in Cody Wyoming & they're stunning.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ada...U1HDQIHe8qBj4Q_AUoAXoECBoQAw&biw=1419&bih=763

 

[astrosecret]

returning cameras with bellows, collapsible features, and things like twin lens reflex’s to infinity is just good practice to get into as well as returning mechanical shutters to 1sec after use.

 

[aizan]

Graciela Iturbide also shot b&w in the Mamiya 6. Not clinical at all.

 

[Archlich]

My perception from numerous photographers' works done with these cameras are none of them is a "rendering" camera. All are practical tools for projects requiring a portable MF platform. All put forth hefty resolving power. Somewhat utilitarian, I'd say.

The most important differences here are the ergonomics and whether you want interchangeable lenses.

 

[jawarden]

returning cameras with bellows, collapsible features, and things like twin lens reflex’s to infinity is just good practice to get into as well as returning mechanical shutters to 1sec after use.

I've heard that returning Makinas to infinity before closing them is important so I always do so but this is the first I've heard of keeping the shutter at 1 sec. Why is this? Is it spring related?

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Graciela Iturbide also shot b&w in the Mamiya 6. Not clinical at all.

Thank you Aizan. What a beautiful body of work.

 

[jawarden]

Graciela Iturbide also shot b&w in the Mamiya 6. Not clinical at all.

Wow she's good. Thanks for the introduction!

 

[astrosecret]

I've heard that returning Makinas to infinity before closing them is important so I always do so but this is the first I've heard of keeping the shutter at 1 sec. Why is this? Is it spring related?

don't remember exactly why 😀

two highly esteemed technicians have told me this over the years and explained to me why, just don't remember exactly.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

don't remember exactly why 😀

two highly esteemed technicians have told me this over the years and explained to me why, just don't remember exactly.

....it has to do with the position of the scissor brackets on the focusing struts

 

[jawarden]

....it has to do with the position of the scissor brackets on the focusing struts

We’re talking about the one second shutter recommendation, not the infinity focus recommendation. I think they are separate issues.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

We’re talking about the one second shutter recommendation, not the infinity focus recommendation. I think they are separate issues.

I'd never heard that one.... and i've had a couple of Makinas over the years. It's just a normal leaf shutter. I don't leave my LF shutters on 1 sec either....

 

[BWF]

Would it be safe to say a Makina 67 is a better bet for long term functioning given its core functions don’t rely on electronics, as compared to the Mamiya 6?

I’m thinking if the rangefinder or meter go on the Makina, one can use an external one. If the Mamiya electronics die in 20 years and there is nowhere like PCW, then it’s just dead. Assuming mechanical problems are equal.

I think I like the idea of the Mamiya 6 more, but it seems maybe riskier. Any thoughts?

 

[filmtwit]

Bronica FR645 . . .

 

[jawarden]

Would it be safe to say a Makina 67 is a better bet for long term functioning given its core functions don’t rely on electronics, as compared to the Mamiya 6?

I’m thinking if the rangefinder or meter go on the Makina, one can use an external one. If the Mamiya electronics die in 20 years and there is nowhere like PCW, then it’s just dead. Assuming mechanical problems are equal.

I think I like the idea of the Mamiya 6 more, but it seems maybe riskier. Any thoughts?

Electronics influenced my decision to go with Makina.

 

[BWF]

Electronics influenced my decision to go with Makina.

Are you happy with it?