Would you buy the new Fuji Range Finder?

Would you buy the new Fuji Range Finder?

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I like the idea of a camera like this, as a travel camera. It seems to be a tad smaller than my Hasselblad and much more suited to hanging around ones neck as they wander old castles etc. than the Hassy.

The cost and availability is beginning to concern me however. I'm looking forward to hearing the initial reviews.
 
I wonder how much this camera will go for used? I'm sure a bunch will hit the secondary market when the charm wears off. If you're price sensitive (and who isn't these days), that's the way to go.

/T
 
Prevarication

Prevarication

I'm unsure. I have my name down for the "Travelling Bessa" project and will certainly give it a trial, but yesterday I did a comparison with my Rolleiflex E2.

Weight
Rollei 1.3 kg - Bessa 1.0 kg

Lens
Both fixed. Rollei f2.8 - Bessa f3.5

Format
Rollei 6x6 - Bessa 6x6 and 6x7 (but I only have a 35mm and 6x6 enlarger)

Longest dimension (Height or width)
Rollei 145mm - Bessa 178mm

Depth
Rollei 105mm - Bessa 109mm

Width (or height)
Rollei 90mm - Bessa 64mm closed and 138mm open.

Cubic Measure
Rollei 137cc - Bessa 122cc (closed)

So there's not much in it to justify the AUD $3000+ price tag in my case.

And I've started thinking. Despite the denials, I cannot imagine that Cosina is not working quite hard to bring out a digital Bessa R-type that would compete very strongly in specification with the M8.2 and at a significantly better price. They have the lenses ready, and the body, and the experience with the Epson RD. If I had the choice I'd put my $3k down on a digital Bessa, so I might just wait a while and see what happens.
 
With different lens (bit wider), with different close focus (bit closer) and with different price (BIT lover) - of course I would buy ;)
 
With all this talk of rich collectors snapping up the majority of the production run, I have to ask: are there really that many people out there, with the cash to spare, for whom the Voigtlander name actually means something?
 
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Hey Aperture 64, I agree with you completely. I've said it before on this forum how disappointed I am with the pricing of this folder. I'm one of those guys for whom $1,000 for a camera is a freakin' ton of money, but I would have spent that on this camera. Turns out I was off by a factor of 3, almost. Seems to me the film market isn't that big and they are missing a lot of guys like me out there. I don't know, are they really making a ton of money on this camera even pricing it out of my reach? I doubt it.
 
Well I have a trial of 2 weeks with this camera. I know that the margin of this 667 folder camera is very small so the production costs are in fact rather high. It's impossible to build such a camera in Japan for less then $ 1000,-

I will report my experiences within a few weeks.

Best regards,

Robert
 
I'm also part of the travelling Bessa project in Oz and look forward with anticipation to my time with this camera. Having initially thought the folder was way too expensive I've relaxed my view slightly for a couple of reasons. Cosina haven't got to where they are by overpricing their products and whatever this camera costs represents their current and previous pricing policy which can't really be criticised IMO. The 35mm Bessas are a fine camera ... they've been making them for a long time now and they represent amazing value for money. The folder, because it will obviously be manufactured in smaller numbers, has to be much more expensive ... that's just the way it is and you chose to part with the money or you don't depending how badly you want it.

What compares to it ... nothing ... it has no competition. The nearest camera I can think of that comes close is the Plaubel Makina which can't be bought for less than $1000.00 in average user condition ... it's not known for it's robustness or reliability and it doesn't shoot in optional formats.

I don't currently have the money to spare on this folder sadly ... but if I did I wouldn't hesitate to own one.
 
Here a first impression of the 6x7 folder.
The system works fine, both in 67 and 66. It's a pity there is no TTL metering but so far the light meter works OK.
Here a test sample on Rollei Super Pan 200 E.I. 160 developer: RHS/AM74 1+9 8:30 minutes.
The camera is just 1035 grams in weight, not really light but also not heavy and the strap could be a bit wider but is further OK.
The RF is very bright and the LED shutter times are clear in reading. The shutter is remarkable quiet even less noise then my M7 (Leica). It's a very easy camera in handling. Just one thing: Put the scale to infinity before folding the camera. A good first impression for a camera which is just a bit too expensive to make it a hit on the market. Eur. 1975,00

3724413826_170c4170f4.jpg
 
Impressive, I can't make a drum scan but anyhow you will loose so many information already on the screen. IMO you can only see how good the camera is by a wet print.
 
Too expensive for Cosina build quality. Heliar lens can't compete w/ a real Bessa II Color Heliar (there are scattered sample photos from the new camera if you look hard). The internal meter and frame selection are nice. Way, way too expensive for what you get. Did I already say that? No buy. And I doubt many people will other than the Japanese collectors, which seems to be the market the camera is targeted for.
 
I agree that the camera is too expensive: Eur. 1500,- was a better price target for what the camera really is but this camera has been build in small series.
I disagree with the lens. It's great optics you can only be a bit disappointed that it is not a 2,8. The only camera which is comming close to this Bessa III 667 is the Plaubel Makina 67 with El Nikkor lens 2,8/80mm. But if you want a good condition second hand Plaubel Makina you're also close to Eur. 1000,- and you have only the option 67 not 66.
 
Steve M. said:
Too expensive for Cosina build quality. Heliar lens can't compete w/ a real Bessa II Color Heliar (there are scattered sample photos from the new camera if you look hard). The internal meter and frame selection are nice. Way, way too expensive for what you get. Did I already say that? No buy. And I doubt many people will other than the Japanese collectors, which seems to be the market the camera is targeted for.
Click to expand...
I actually own one and have done some tests on the lens - it's an awesome optic capable of resolving in excess of 90 lp/mm. I doubt you'd understand the significance of that. I've actually shot about 15 rolls one and I guarantee you that the lens is light years ahead of your old Bessa II Color Heliar in just about every way... but feel free to spread bumf about it which is clearly made up and not based on anything other than your own imagination. I think the camera is excellent value for a unique (there is no other 6x7 modern folder) medium format camera. Priced any other new MF cameras aside from a Holga recently?
 
Steve M. said:
Too expensive for Cosina build quality. Heliar lens can't compete w/ a real Bessa II Color Heliar (there are scattered sample photos from the new camera if you look hard). The internal meter and frame selection are nice. Way, way too expensive for what you get. Did I already say that? No buy. And I doubt many people will other than the Japanese collectors, which seems to be the market the camera is targeted for.
Click to expand...

If you haven't handled the camera - refrain from commenting on the build quality. It is a very well built and designed camera - far better than older folders and with the added feature of a bright viewfinder, a good rangefinder patch, AE system, multi format etc.
From the information I am getting - it is not a camera that is being bought by collectors - it's primary customer base seems to be users. As for the original Color Heliar II - in its time it was a decent lens - but it was no threat to the Apo-Lanthar on Bessa II. I would love to see the new Bessa III as a 6x9 with a 105 Apo Lanthar on it as a "next" Voigtlander Bessa Folder - and considering the success with the III/667 - maybe we can hope for one in the future.
 
Tom A said:
From the information I am getting - it is not a camera that is being bought by collectors - it's primary customer base seems to be users.
Click to expand...

So far, I have yet to sell a Bessa III to a collector.

All sales have been 100% to shooters.

Sure, its a small market for modern rollfilm 120 folding cameras,
but the new Bessa III seems to be making its owners very pleased indeed.

Stephen
 
It is a very well built and designed camera
Click to expand...

I certainly can agree with that. One of the reasons the camera is not ultra light: 1035g complete with strap and battery is not really heavy but certainly not light. The view finder is very bright and the (electronically controlled) shutter is very, very quiet.
I do not think this Bessa III is a collector item but indeed a camera for serious photographically users who want a compact, high quality M.F. folder camera.
 
I've observed that the best collector items were not made as collectibles but had a great user reputation when new, probably saw price reductions in used sales, then gradually picked up value later as the collectors got into it. I'm not thinking Beanie Baby collections here, but more along the lines of the mid-50's Mercedes-Benz 300SL gull-wing coupe and roadster, for example.

Old cars are not really user-collectible, because of their rarity, value, and shortage of repairs. But Leica M2 and M3 etc would I think fall into the class of user-collectibles, and mainly the little-used ones find their way into glass display cases. :)

So I'd hesitate to call any newly-introduced product a collectible unless marketed as such. And then that marketing itself raises doubts! "Collectible" only because it's a special limited edition? Naw...
 
Don Hutton said:
I actually own one and have done some tests on the lens - it's an awesome optic capable of resolving in excess of 90 lp/mm. I doubt you'd understand the significance of that. I've actually shot about 15 rolls one and I guarantee you that the lens is light years ahead of your old Bessa II Color Heliar in just about every way... but feel free to spread bumf about it which is clearly made up and not based on anything other than your own imagination. I think the camera is excellent value for a unique (there is no other 6x7 modern folder) medium format camera. Priced any other new MF cameras aside from a Holga recently?
Click to expand...

Having owned the Fujica GF670 for nearly 4 months I can only say the camera is fantastic. A little pricey but I certainly don't feel like I've been ripped off or payed too much for this camera.

The print's I've been doing are amazing, sorry to disappoint a few but all digital prints on an iPF5100. I love this camera.... At 1kg its not light but in heavy use, shooting 15 or so roll's over a couple off hours in the tropical sun it never feels heavy.

Andrew, all the images in the review that is on Japan Exposures were scanned on a V700, but as you know I prefer Rodinal (home made paRodinal) to D76.

I'm looking forward to seeing some off the results from the traveling folder down under.... Is there anything online yet? Keith, when are you getting your hands on one?



Mike
 
Why would anyone want to wast $2000 plus on this mega folder when there are so many excellent Mamiya 6s, 7s and even the cute Bronica RF 645s still available at excellent prices on the used market. This folder has only one focal length while the others have, at least, three lenses.
 
nebraska said:
Why would anyone want to wast $2000 plus on this mega folder when there are so many excellent Mamiya 6s, 7s and even the cute Bronica RF 645s still available at excellent prices on the used market. This folder has only one focal length while the others have, at least, three lenses.
Click to expand...

Portability, optical excellence, and a much bigger negative than the 645s, that's why.
 
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