Help me decide: Plaubel Makina 67 or Fuji 690

DREW WILEY · Sep 25, 2024

A tiny ping. Big deal. It's not like triggering my Pentax 6X7 and having brick chimneys collapse half a mile away : KER-LUNK !

Melvin J Bramley · Sep 25, 2024

For a one lens camera I would stick with what you have.
All the alternatives offer good or marginally better resolution than the Fuji 645 but non come close to the Fuji's portability.
After all, the best camera you have is the one you have with you!
I say this as I try to downsize whilst maximising image quality.

250swb · Sep 26, 2024

I think the fundamental decision should be in the format you prefer, 6x9 or 6x7. I've had GSW690 and GW690 but I much prefer the 6x7 format so got the Fuji GW670. It's not as easy to find as a Plaubel but doesn't have any of the Plaubels potential unreliability and is probably around the same secondhand price.

itsdoable · Sep 27, 2024

DREW WILEY said:
A tiny ping. Big deal. It's not like triggering my Pentax 6X7 and having brick chimneys collapse half a mile away : KER-LUNK !

Hee hee... I find the P67 ker-clunk sounds very pleasant and refined, while the Fuji 690 "pink" sounds cheap. But the optical results of both are excellent, so...

Businessfotos · Sep 27, 2024

It is so wonderful to read all your inspiring thought – thank you very much! Meanwhile I got my Plaubel yesterday. It took only 2 days for transport from Vienna to Cologne. Shot my first roll immediately. Here are my thoughts: deus-ex-makina-67 (use Google translator if your german is dusty).

Greets, Till

etn · Sep 28, 2024

Businessfotos said:
Thanks you so much for all this detailed insight! I think I gravitate towards the Plaubel, if this wasn't obvious from the beginning ;-) Let's see. I spotted one the other day, CLA´d from a reseller but it was gone too quick … will search for more temptations ;-)

I see you are in Germany. If you are in or near Munich and want to give my Plaubel a spin and shoot a roll or two, we can meet. (Note: this is not to try to sell you my Plaubel - it's not for sale. Just so that you can hold one in your hands if you have never done so, before committing to buying from an online store)

EDIT: I posted without reading the thread to the end. The above becomes moot. Congrats on your new Makina! The offer to meet (for a beer or so) is still valid if you happen to be in Munich!

stevenjeong99 · Sep 28, 2024

I think in terms of price, plaubel makina is a bit hyped nowadays and the prices have gone up a bit too much in my opinion. On the other hand, even though fuji digital cameras are overhyped, fuji film cameras are much less hyped so the prices have stayed a a reasonable level. I haven't owned a plaubel makina so I cannot say for sure about the end result but my fuji gw690 pro ii gets the job done beautifully.

itsdoable · Sep 28, 2024

stevenjeong99 said:
I think in terms of price, plaubel makina is a bit hyped nowadays and the prices have gone up a bit too much in my opinion. On the other hand, even though fuji digital cameras are overhyped, fuji film cameras are much less hyped so the prices have stayed a a reasonable level. I haven't owned a plaubel makina so I cannot say for sure about the end result but my fuji gw690 pro ii gets the job done beautifully.

It's supply and demand - look at the price of the FujiFilm GF670. Arguably the nicest folding rangefinder made, but they only manufactures one batch, and it did not sell well, so very few were made. The Plaubel 67 is similar - except it does not need batteries.

GregY · Sep 28, 2024

stevenjeong99 said:
I think in terms of price, plaubel makina is a bit hyped nowadays and the prices have gone up a bit too much in my opinion. On the other hand, even though fuji digital cameras are overhyped, fuji film cameras are much less hyped so the prices have stayed a a reasonable level. I haven't owned a plaubel makina so I cannot say for sure about the end result but my fuji gw690 pro ii gets the job done beautifully.

Fuji gw/gsw are going for 2x what they did 5 yrs ago....

radialMelt · Sep 28, 2024

Businessfotos said:
Meanwhile I got my Plaubel yesterday.

Congrats! Hope you enjoy it. I'm curious however... could you tell me how much play you have in the bottom set of lazy tongs when extended? I'm currently on holiday and noticed the bottom lazy tongs on mine don't seem to lock solidly. Would be curious to hear if yours do.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 29, 2024

itsdoable said:
I don't have the Mamiya-7 anymore, and don't have an archived comparison photo (I thought I did), but here they are with a Mamiya-6, the "7" is about 1cm wider, and does not collapse. The FujiFilm GW690 series is definitely big.

View attachment 379079

Here is the Makina and Mamiya (without lens) from above, the Mamiya depth is just minimally larger, but you have to close the secondary shutter to remove the lens, which you can accidentally trip to open, so it's preferable to leave a lens on.

View attachment 379080

I do find the grip on the Mamiya-7 to be very ergonomic - it's easy to walk around with the camera in one hand. I cannot say the same for the Makina, but it's design goal was different. Personally, I find the Mamiya more "Leica" like than the FujiFilm, it has AE and a spot meter, controls are easier to adjust, it's fast and quick to capture fleeting moments. It also has a better viewfinder.

I think you will like the Makina, I bought mine way back when they were "just expensive", and I've never had the urge to sell it. You do have to take care of them more than the Mamiya or FujiFilm, but that goes with any folder. It has traveled a fair bit with me, especially when cycling, hiking or canoeing. On the other hand, the Mamiya-6/7 was great for things like weddings.

Most Makina-67s were manufactured by Mamiya, including the one above - the early Copal made ones often had issues.

I have a Mamiya6 with all lenses in IMO, it is the best MF travel camera. My Hasselblad stays in the studio, where it is the reigning champion.

GregY · Sep 29, 2024

RalphLambrecht said:
I have a Mamiya6 with all lenses in IMO, it is the best MF travel camera. My Hasselblad stays in the studio, where it is the reigning champion.

I agree.... the Mamiya6 MF is an ideal travel camera. I never bonded with the 150 with it's long minimum focus (too long for portraits) but the 50 & 75 are both gems.

Help me decide: Plaubel Makina 67 or Fuji 690

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