• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Looking for medium format folding rangefinder 6x7, 6x9, or 6x8

RezaLoghme

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
1,657
Location
Europe
Format
Medium Format
Hi all,

I am considering adding a medium format folding rangefinder to my kit and would appreciate recommendations based on real-world use.

What I a m looking for:

Built-in exposure meter (TTL or reliable integrated meter)
Fast standard lens (ideally f/3.5 or faster, 2.8 ideally)
Compact/folding form factor
Good reliability and parts support

My use case is everyday walkaround shooting on film with a preference for practical handling and high image quality. Budget is small. I have lots of experience with 6x6 so want to try something new. 6x4.5 is too small.
 
To my knowledge the only Fujifilm GF670 (alias Voigtländer Bessa III 667) will fulfill all your requirements

Fuji GF670 Review: 11 Reasons Why You Should Buy! - Leica Blog (Matt Osborne)

Here is my Fuji GF670 Review / Voigtlander Bessa III Review - Medium Format Rangefinder Film Camera
mrleica.com


Also with wide-angle lens as 670W

​

photokina 2010: Fujifilm GF670W Professional (alias Voigtländer Bessa III 667W) (2x aktualisiert) - photoscala

Die Japaner geben das analoge Mittelformat nicht auf. Auf der photokina 2010 in Köln will Fujifilm mit der GF670W Professional eine Weitwinkelkamera fürs Mittelformat 6x7 mit Festbrennweite 4,5/55 mm und gekoppeltem Entfernungsmesser zeigen die wird es auch bei uns geben, aber nicht von Fujifilm:
www.photoscala.de

 
Last edited:
That's what I was going to suggest. It's expensive, but it's recently made and with a meter.

I don't know of any cheap folding cameras with decent meters.
 
RezaLoghme said:
Budget is small.
Click to expand...

Then you probably want to select a 50s-60s medium format rangefinder with a good lens and leave out the meter requirement.
 
OAPOli said:
There are only two folders with a light meter: Fuji GF670 and Plaubel Makina 67.
Click to expand...

You're not wrong, but it should be mentioned that there is the Voigtlander Bessa III, which is a rebadged GF670. Plaubel also made the Makina 670 and Makina W67 which are variants on Makina 67. Finally (for what I'm aware of) there is the Fuji GF645 but that doesn't match the OP's request for 6x7 or larger frame.
 
Lightweight folder with rangefinder, internal light meter, 120 film, wide angle lens, and for a few hundred dollars? I don't think there is such a camera.

A 6x9 I use is a Franka Rolfix II with built-in rangefinder and a light meter clipped to the cold shoe. Fairly lightweight compared to a Zeiss Ikon folder, but with only quality triplet Trinar f3.5 lens.

 
I don't think you can get there from here. One of your constraints--light meter, cost, lens speed--has to ease. Personally, I would let go of the need for a built in light meter and use an external incident meter or clip-on.

For 6x7 with a good f2.8 lens I have a Graflex Century Graphic with a Schneider Xenotar 80mm f2.8. It's technically a folding rangefinder, but probably not the flat compact thing you had in mind. I don't know of any compact folders at low cost with fast wide angle lenses. If you can ease on lens speed a bit too, I had a Moskva-5 for a few years that had a really good 105mm f3.5 Industar lens at a fraction of the cost of a Zeiss super Ikonta. The strut mechanism was not as solid as on a Zeiss though. The Zeiss Nettar 517/2 had an f4.5 triplet, but no rangefinder. It was a solid performer.

A review I wrote of the Moskva-5, with samples. https://kosmofoto.com/2021/02/kmz-moskva-5-review/
 
Last edited:
If you're shooting negative film in daylight, getting good practice with the extended Sunny 16 rules will open up a whole world of extra options.
 
I love it when folks ask for a Rolex on a TimeX budget, then get really picky over the specs. The bottom line, without knowing what a small budget means to OP, is there is nothing that will meet his/her requirements.
 
I asked Goggle AI Here is it's answer:

Top Recommendation:
Fuji GF670 Professional
(and
Voigtländer Bessa III
)
This camera perfectly meets all your criteria and is widely regarded as one of the best modern medium format folding cameras ever made.
  • Format: Shoots both 6x6 cm and 6x7 cm formats, providing a large negative area.
  • Lens: Features a sharp, fixed 80mm f/3.5 EBC Fujinon lens (roughly a 40mm equivalent in 35mm format).
  • Metering: Has a reliable, integrated center-weighted average meter and offers aperture-priority auto-exposure mode.
  • Compactness: It is a true folding rangefinder that collapses into a slim, portable package ideal for travel or hiking.
  • Reliability/Support: These were produced in the late 2000s/early 2010s, making them much newer than most folders. They are well-built, although the bellows still require careful handling to avoid damage. They have a dedicated following, and repair specialists are available, though parts can be an issue if the complex electronic/mechanical folding mechanism is severely damaged.
  • Budget Note: This is the primary drawback for the "budget" requirement. Due to high demand and limited production, used models typically cost $2,500-$3,500. The nearly identical
    Voigtländer Bessa III
    is also an option at a similar price point.

Budget Alternative: Vintage Metred Folders
Older, mechanical folding cameras are available for much less, but they require a compromise on the reliability of the built-in meter.





 

You can also find this answer in my first comment in this discussion. However, Google AI knows nothing about the GF670W.
 
I was going to plug the Moscow 5 also, but it's already on here.
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...as-6x6-6x7-and-6x9.160053/page-8#post-2847386
Sharpness is great, no meter, very portable and reasonably light for 6x9, and pretty cheap (if you watch, $100-200). Absolutely no factory support, but almost no folders have that. regardless of price.

Interesting to see how "affordability" is defined by different people, though!
 
RezaLoghme said:
Too expensive, I am not paying for the hype
Click to expand...

I'm not sure it's hype, its scarcity--good old supply and demand. As everyone on this thread has said, what you're asking for doesn't exist. You need to start removing requirements. The one most likely to get you a reasonably inexpensive camera is the light meter. If you drop frame size the GS645 is possible. If you drop folder then there are a bunch of things.
 
GregY said:
If you want a built in meter and a fast lens.....there are very few options......& nothing cheap. That's the way it is in MF land.
Click to expand...
Ditto, back when I jumped to medium format there was a large gap between Tessar type lensed Folders/TLRs and Double gauss lensed modern RFs (GS645s)
From the Super Ikonta III/IV it's just the Fuji and Fuji Voigtlander modern models!

Then there is the Lomo LCA 120.
Exactly. And like Greg says, it's just limited to a couple models of cameras.

So there is a tech and development gap where somehow the 80-90s brought some lighter weight MF (RF) but in general, the tech in Medium format is much more basic compared to what 35mm brought.
Adding a hotshoe meter to my Texas Leica made it much more street practical. But in general, it's slower vs 35mm.

Given the lack of options, anyone is welcome to start a new camera project Something like the "hyped" Mamiya 7 given the prices...
 
RezaLoghme said:
Too expensive, I am not paying for the hype
Click to expand...

They're fine cameras.... no more hype than Leica. BTW have you ever used one? The nikkor lenses are very sharp.
You are, after all, the one who defined the camera you want..... much more choice if you forget about the built in meter.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register