Fuji Cosina/Voigtländer MF Folding Camera due out in May

Someonenameddavid · Feb 28, 2009

Oren Grad said:
OK, there's a bunch of modern medium format rangefinder cameras for you. I wonder how these numbers correlate with user experience in trying to push these various cameras to the limit.

The rangefinder base length on an Omega Rapid is about 90mm, but I don't know about the magnification.

David

sanking · Feb 28, 2009

Well, that is another issue. I rarely try to push rangefinder cameras to the limit. In fact, whenever possible I put them on a tripod and expose at between f/8-f/16. I can see that some of the concerns some folks have about the base length would not pertain to the kind of work I do.

Last time I used a lens at full aperture, in any format, was back in the summer of 1997.

Sandy King

Oren Grad said:
OK, there's a bunch of modern medium format rangefinder cameras for you. I wonder how these numbers correlate with user experience in trying to push these various cameras to the limit.

Oren Grad · Feb 28, 2009

sanking said:
Well, that is another issue. I rarely try to push rangefinder cameras to the limit. In fact, whenever possible I put them on a tripod and expose at between f/8-f/16. I can see that some of the concerns some folks have about the base length would not pertain to the kind of work I do.

Yes. We're talking about a very narrow question here. All of these cameras are capable of producing excellent results in many different situations. But the GF670 will be pretty expensive. It makes sense to think about where it will be at its best and where it may not, how that relates to the way one wants to use the camera, and what questions about its performance one might want to have answered before shelling out hard-earned $$$$. That's all.

sanking · Feb 28, 2009

Oren,

I understand, and thank you for all of the information about base length of the various rangefinder cameras. Very informative.

The one that really got my attention was the length of the base of the Plaubel Makina 67. If that data is accurate I can see why some people prize these cameras.

And as I have said many times, the Plaubel Makina 67 is the camera to which one should compare the Fuji/Cosina 67 folder. Really pointless to compare the going price of the Fuji/Cosina 67 folder to Mamiya 6 or 7 or any of the non-folding Fuji rangefinder cameras, and especially not to SLR MF cameras. This camera is unique. For a camera like it in 6X7cm format you have the Plaubel Makina, and then you have to look back to the 50s to the Bessa II. But the Fuji/Cosina 67 is way more sophisticated than either the Plaubel Makina or Bessa II.

Sandy

Oren Grad said:
Yes. We're talking about a very narrow question here. All of these cameras are capable of producing excellent results in many different situations. But the GF670 will be pretty expensive. It makes sense to think about where it will be at its best and where it may not, how that relates to the way one wants to use the camera, and what questions about its performance one might want to have answered before shelling out hard-earned $$$$. That's all.

rknewcomb · Mar 5, 2009

Fuji Folder 667 Price?

Does anyone have an idea of what the price for the new folding Fuji 667 rangefinder camera is going to be in the USA?
Does anyone know if the camera is mostly plastic like some of their non folding medium format cameras or a mixture of metal and plastic - ie: build quality?
thanks for the help!

2F/2F · Mar 5, 2009

It is far too expensive for what it is, no matter where you are.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 5, 2009

Threads merged.

MikeSeb · Mar 5, 2009

Gott im Himmel! The stench of mathematics clinging to this thread is givin' me a headache!

Maybe my problem is also inadequate base length. If only I'd known....

keithwms · Mar 5, 2009

sanking said:
Last time I used a lens at full aperture, in any format, was back in the summer of 1997.

Sandy King

:rolleyes: Is there a good story, Sandy?

I find the EBL on the mamiya 6 totally adequate even for the 150, but like Sandy, I use the thing mostly as a landscape camera for front-to-back sharpness and rarely shoot any of the lenses wide open. If I want bokeh, I definitely prefer the rb/rz systems.

Anyway, if this 667 camera is successful then there will be a lower priced knockoff in a year or two. I am just worried that economic conditions might make it hard for Cosina to move this batch. Nobody's spending money. (except Big O, apparently...)

If anybody out there has a lot of cash to invest, let me suggest buying up several of these new cameras and setting them aside for a few years. Boxed, they'll probably be worth more in a year or two than they are now. Hell, everything will be worth more in a year or two, we're at rock bottom here.

sanking · Mar 6, 2009

Hi Keith,

Yes, there is a great story, but unfortunately it must forever remain private.

Sandy

keithwms said:
:rolleyes: Is there a good story, Sandy?

argyrotype · Mar 10, 2009

Price in Japan is 220,000 yen. Here in the US, you'll have to pay for the boat ride---or the air freight. My guess is $2399 from Steven G.

franchal · Mar 22, 2009

The Bessa III will cost Euro 1'999,00 and will be delivered by may 2009. The information are the official one from Voigtländer.

david b · Mar 22, 2009

As of today, 1,999 euros equals $2714 US dollars.

srs5694 · Mar 22, 2009

david b said:
As of today, 1,999 euros equals $2714 US dollars.

The Japan Exposures Shop (formerly Megaperls) lists it as ¥230,000, which equals US$2,397.08. If those prices and exchange rates hold, US buyers might be better off ordering the Fuji-branded camera from Japan.

Daniel Larsen · Mar 22, 2009

2F/2F said:
It is far too expensive for what it is, no matter where you are.

Concur. It is off my Christmas wish list. Disappointing.

Fuji Cosina/Voigtländer MF Folding Camera due out in May

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