Plaubel Makina 67: a few questions for users

[Arne Norris]

A Plaubel Makina 67 I am looking at buying has a slight haze in the main viewfinder. Does anyone have any experience with the success of repair shops cleaning the viewfinder?

Short of finding a Plaubel brand lens hood, I'm also looking for suggestions for the best lens hood for a 67/670. BHPhoto has a metal hood made by B+W that looks similar to the original Plaubel hood. But I'm not sure if a lens cap made for the 67 would fit this.

Also, as far as the lens cap, has anyone found a replacement cap for the 67? Again, I've seen 90mm caps at BHPhoto by Schneider and Nikon, but not sure if they will fit.

My last question regards service. Does anyone have any feedback regarding the quality of service at either Nippon Photo Clinic or Plaubel in Germany?

Any feedback would be most appreciated!

 

[jd callow]

Sk Grimes can fashion a custom lens cap I believe at one time they also made shades as well.

Rumor has it that this camera was made by Mamiya for the Japanese owners of the Plauble name.

You may want try a rubber shade until you can get down to NY to try the shades that BH Sells. They are none too sexy, but effective. I hear there is a huge camera store in Boston, somewhat closer to you, called Loenstien and somebody (not too helpful, but maybe another member can help with the name) that may have what you are looking for in the way of a shade or generic lens cap.

In the back of this store is a camera repair counter (also calling themselves SK Grimes-- or so I am told) and they may be able to address the RF issue.

I have thought long and hard about the 67w (same camera 55mm nikkor lens), but the fact it hasn't been made in close to 15 years, the mixed heritage and rarity making quality repairs and parts rarer still caused me to look elsewhere.

 

[wfwhitaker]

Also, as far as the lens cap, has anyone found a replacement cap for the 67?

A 58mm snap-in generic lens cap will fit fine.

 

[wfwhitaker]

A Plaubel Makina 67 I am looking at buying has a slight haze in the main viewfinder. Does anyone have any experience with the success of repair shops cleaning the viewfinder?

Let me add that while I don't have any experience with having a Makina repaired, I have owned both the 67 and the 670. I would suggest that unless the 67 is offered at a very favorable price or if the seller repairs the viewfinder, I would wait. One of the nice things about a Plaubel Makina is the big bright viewfinder and this one's already starting with a handicap. And while the 67 is a great camera, the 670 is better for a couple of reasons. It has a double-stroke winder intended to increase the longevity. It also has a hot shoe and a double locking mechanism for the back. And if it's important to you, it also has the capability of using 220 film which the 67 does not. In short, the 670 is a more desirable camera which equates to resale value.

While neither model is terribly abundant, they do show up on the used market with some regularity and there are some nice clean ones out there. There's nothing wrong with a clean 67, but I'd be hesitant to accept one in less than excellent operating condition, especially given their somewhat unique situation in that there are very few repair shops familiar with them.

 

[Arne Norris]

Thank you both for the advice. I had a chance to run a test roll of film throught the 67 today. I can see why people like the camera, it has a great feel.

I will definitely negotiate with the seller to get a better price to include repairs on the 67 I'm looking at or wait to find a 670 in better shape. The W67 looks like an awesome camera as well.

Other questions: does the 670 have any improvements to the viewfinder/rangefinder over the 67? Does the W67 have the updated features of the 670, such as the double stroke winder and double locking back?

Thanks, Arne

 

[ann]

i use a genertic rubber lens hood. no problems, just screws into the lens as would a filter.
love this camera

 

[norm123]

A Plaubel Makina 67 I am looking at buying has a slight haze in the main viewfinder. Does anyone have any experience with the success of repair shops cleaning the viewfinder?

Short of finding a Plaubel brand lens hood, I'm also looking for suggestions for the best lens hood for a 67/670. BHPhoto has a metal hood made by B+W that looks similar to the original Plaubel hood. But I'm not sure if a lens cap made for the 67 would fit this.

Also, as far as the lens cap, has anyone found a replacement cap for the 67? Again, I've seen 90mm caps at BHPhoto by Schneider and Nikon, but not sure if they will fit.

My last question regards service. Does anyone have any feedback regarding the quality of service at either Nippon Photo Clinic or Plaubel in Germany?

Any feedback would be most appreciated!

Nippon Photo Service is really good. I was happy about them, they repaired my Fuji GSW690. A bit pricey but did a great job.

 

[moto-uno]

I kinda wonder if 13 years later he still has the camera , Peter

 

[Morten Corfitz]

And by the way regarding cleaning rangefinder this has just come up on Youtube

 

[guangong]

Thank you both for the advice. I had a chance to run a test roll of film throught the 67 today. I can see why people like the camera, it has a great feel.

I will definitely negotiate with the seller to get a better price to include repairs on the 67 I'm looking at or wait to find a 670 in better shape. The W67 looks like an awesome camera as well.

Other questions: does the 670 have any improvements to the viewfinder/rangefinder over the 67? Does the W67 have the updated features of the 670, such as the double stroke winder and double locking back?

Thanks, Arne

“Great feel”!. This is the reason so many different cameras with such a variety of shapes. I tried out a Plaubel when Ken Hansen had his store on 34th Street. Found the camera uncomfortable to hold and decided on a Hassy 2000 fcm As for my 67 cameras, I have Fuji folder (Plaubel probably feels much, much better in hand) and Kodak Medalist (built to US Navy specifications, quirky but rugged and while massive, fits well in the hands)..
All this means is that camera choice is subjective and that there is no BEST camera.
,

 

[guangong]

Oooops! Medalist is 69, not 67.

 

[warden]

And by the way regarding cleaning rangefinder this has just come up on Youtube

Thanks for that video. It's fun to see what's going on in there.