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

[RezaLoghme]

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.

 

[Alexander6x6]

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

 

[loccdor]

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.

 

[loccdor]

Budget is small.

Then you probably want to select a 50s-60s medium format rangefinder with a good lens and leave out the meter requirement.

 

[Alexander6x6]

Then you probably want to select a 50s-60s medium format rangefinder with a good lens and leave out the meter requirement.

This is exactly my thought. If I didn't already have the Iskra, I would invest in the Agfa Super Isolette.

 

[RezaLoghme]

A bit heavy

 

[OAPOli]

There are only two folders with a light meter: Fuji GF670 and Plaubel Makina 67.

 

[hardly any color]

There are only two folders with a light meter: Fuji GF670 and Plaubel Makina 67.

True, but neither is a budget friendly option.

 

[abruzzi]

There are only two folders with a light meter: Fuji GF670 and Plaubel Makina 67.

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.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Lens should be wide angle (street).

 

[Alexander6x6]

Lens should be wide angle (street).

Fujifilm GF670W or correspondent Voigtländer 667W, but it is not folded (see above).

 

[film4Me]

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.

 

[hsandler]

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/

 

[loccdor]

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.

 

[Paul Howell]

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.