Would you buy the new Fuji Range Finder?

Would you buy the new Fuji Range Finder?

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Down the road, yes.
But not now.
still, I think it is the best camera for getting into Medium format from 35mm RF. (much like Mamiya 7, but cheaper and thus more attractive)
 
Since this camera was announced, I have acquired two relatively inexpensive medium format systems (Mamiya M645 and Rolleiflex 3.5T). I understand the benefits of small size and in-camera metering that this camera offers, but I no longer have an interest in it for the kind of photography I do in MF.
 
the march issues of nippon camera and asahi camera have feature articles on the gf670. the one in nippon camera is better, and has a big portrait that illustrates the bokeh. it was taken at a half stop down from f4 (f4.8?), close focus, with a receding, moderately distant background. the busy area on the left shows some slightly hard edged bokeh, but the simpler side on the right looks pretty good. it looks like another "two stops down" lens for smooth bokeh with busy backgrounds, like the 40/1.4 nokton. the area in focus appears very sharp. there's another, smaller photo where the background is right behind the subject, same aperture, and the bokeh looks nice and smooth.

i forgot to mention the framelines. there's a gap on both the right and left sides that i don't get the purpose of. the corners are indicated by little squares, which is nice.
 
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I daresay that most anyone interested in a 6x7 fixed-lens folding camera is likely to have zero interest in a micro four thirds digital as an alternative. These are so wildly different...

Actually, I'm not so sure I'd buy a 6x7 fixed-lens folding camera myself due to wondering how one best uses a folding camera. Carry it open and ready for business, in which case it's awkward and more vulnerable to damage? Dunno... But I do know I have zero interest in a µFT. 🙂
 
Doug said:
I daresay that most anyone interested in a 6x7 fixed-lens folding camera is likely to have zero interest in a micro four thirds digital as an alternative. These are so wildly different..
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Actually I would have great interest in a micro four thirds digital camera if I could fit a roll of the new Ektar 120 in it. Otherwise, meh...
 
Doug said:
I daresay that most anyone interested in a 6x7 fixed-lens folding camera is likely to have zero interest in a micro four thirds digital as an alternative. These are so wildly different...

Actually, I'm not so sure I'd buy a 6x7 fixed-lens folding camera myself due to wondering how one best uses a folding camera. Carry it open and ready for business, in which case it's awkward and more vulnerable to damage? Dunno... But I do know I have zero interest in a µFT. 🙂
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I have several 6x6 and 6x9 folders and use them and am interested in a high quality digital compact instead of a 6x7 folder as soon as budget allows it after the purchase of an FF DSLR.

Ernst Dinkla
 
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A departure on the price discussions....

A departure on the price discussions....

I was strongly interested in this camera, but will not be stepping up to the price anticipated (it isn't a price until they sell the first one).

However, I see many of the price postings and complaints overlooking one variable.

As we talk about the price, and project that the camera won't sell well at the estimated list price, we overlook one very genuine aspect of the marketplace.

There will always be those buyers who do not have price limitations. And even in the global economic crisis, there are plenty of them.

This is the buyer who will simply get in line for this camera because it is new, it is retro, and in some respects it is a limited product. This opinion of limitation may well be one of the reasons for keeping it in Japan. Obviously Fuji feels there are enough of that type of buyer in the home country to sell out production numbers.

I would almost bet money on their being right in that decision, since Fuji does not appear stupid in any sense of the word.

If I did bet, it would be that there are enough buyers for the first run (perhaps only run) that will easily step up for the price asked.

It's not a decision based on the desire of the market place, but rather a decision based on Fujis research and estimation of the target buyer.

I expect to see the camera make it's way off retailers shelves quite well.
 
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May I nail my sail to the mast here and say YES I will buy the new Fuji Rangefinder. I am not rich, but admire the retro folder that Fuji have produced. It looks great and I am sure I will have fun taking pictures with it.

When will it arrive in the UK? Anyone know?


Thanks,

Graham
 
kuzano said:
I expect to see the camera make it's way off retailers shelves quite well.
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You are right about enough people to buy the 5000 cameras at the >2000$ price. I think the majority of the cameras will make its way to the collectors shelves in unopened boxes. Two name plates so some collectors will buy two of them.
Cameraquest USA and Voigtländer Deutschland have it on the webpages as the Bessa III so there is an outlet outside Japan.

Ernst Dinkla
 
I've said it before but I'll say it again, I'm very disappointed by this price point. I understand that with a limited run product, you make more profit by increasing the price, at least with luxury branding. I guess collecting falls into that model, too. But if most of the cost is up-front development, then selling more units even at a lower price should help Fuji recover its costs better/faster. And by pricing this camera above $2k, they are knocking out a lot of people like me who otherwise would probably dig deep into our pockets and spring for it. I'm sure they'll sell out the 5,000, or close to it, but they could have sold twice that to guys like us on this forum.
 
sooner said:
I've said it before but I'll say it again, I'm very disappointed by this price point. I understand that with a limited run product, you make more profit by increasing the price, at least with luxury branding. I guess collecting falls into that model, too. But if most of the cost is up-front development, then selling more units even at a lower price should help Fuji recover its costs better/faster. And by pricing this camera above $2k, they are knocking out a lot of people like me who otherwise would probably dig deep into our pockets and spring for it. I'm sure they'll sell out the 5,000, or close to it, but they could have sold twice that to guys like us on this forum.
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When the first rumors on this camera started I speculated that it was a Fuji attempt to increase film sales with the Gillette marketing model. That would mean a modest price for the camera, a huge film format (6x9) and worlwide distribution. To test the waters the first production batch wouldn't have to be larger than 10000, followed by more batches if it was appreciated.

Instead it is made unnecessary complicated, heavier and larger with its film format change mechanism. It doesn't consume more film than most MF alternatives. It's priced too high for this marketing model and it gets maybe 5 outlets on the world.

This is a testimony that Fuji isn't really interested in its film business anymore. Backing a folder camera with a 6x9 film format + a wide 80mm lens, moderately priced would give another signal. Instead this Bessa III/Fuji 670 is a Cosina gadget which will not keep Fuji's film industry or Cosina RF camera business much longer afloat.

Rollei went belly up some days ago, Leica scrapped further R model development (and what next, the S or the M ?), Konica left the RF world several years ago. What is left for Cosina but the analogue Zeiss RF and Voigtländer RF, a new batch of Epson RD's and this MF gadget that will not go beyond the 5000 made already and selling badly in this economic climate.

Cosina could do a better job in designing a digital APS rangefinder that's affordable and use their own brand name proudly on it instead of designing and fabricating all kinds of rebranded analogue and (one) digital rangefinder cameras. Its technology is sound enough. The days of analogue rangefinders are ending with the arrival of compact Micro APS and 4/3 EVF digital cameras. The rangefinder however isn't dead yet but should be reinvented for the digital age.


Ernst Dinkla
 
Everyone is taking a swat at Fuji for only doing 5,000 of these, blah, blah. But think about it from Fuji's position. How many folding medium format film cameras do you think Fuji would actually sale? Believe it or not, there is no huge, unfulfilled demand for for folding MF film cameras out there. Certainly not that large numbers of people are willing to pay even $1,000 for. My guess is that Fuji knows this, and is simply pricing it to get their investment back.

The long extended introduction (without price until the end) got them a lot of attention.
 
I loved the concept of this folder but given the price, I think I will stick with my old Hasselblad - which I used last weekend for the first time in 2 years.

Looking through that big WLF view really brought a smile back to my face.
The comparison to DSLRs also impressed my friends - one commented "amazing - it's like 3D".

On the light table, 120 Tri-x in Rodinal just looks so much better than 35mm Leica negs. Tonight I dust down the enlarger for some good old optical silver prints.
 
If I had the money, and if I lived somewhere where I could easily get 120 film developed and scanned I'd get this camera.

It's a classic concept built to modern standards and technologies.

And I'd want the Fuji, not Voigtlander, branded version as I understand it can come in a chrome finish. How delightful is that?
 
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