Sad Fuji News/Happy Voigtländer News -GF670 in Japan only -Bessa III elsewhere!

[eclarke]

The same folks who buy an Ebony when an old Deardorff or new Chamonix would do.

The same folks who bought SUVs when a Honda Civic would meet their needs.

It will sell. Maybe not like hot-cakes. But it will sell.

If it was sized more like an old Zeiss Ikonta, and about $500 cheaper, I'd probably sell off some stuff to get one.

Believe it or not, some people work hard, save money, never borrowed, didn't spawn a batch of children, are frugal with silly things and can afford something like this if they like it...not a crime and nothing to be justified or derided. Some of us don't like working with old crap and kitchen chemicals...Evan Clarke

 

[Terence]

Believe it or not, some people work hard, save money, never borrowed, didn't spawn a batch of children, are frugal with silly things and can afford something like this if they like it...not a crime and nothing to be justified or derided. Some of us don't like working with old crap and kitchen chemicals...Evan Clarke

I fully agree. I'm a single, unencumbered, well-employed fellow. But I also enjoy my frugality. I spend my spare cash where it seems to make sense. As an engineer, I was taught never to spend $2 where $1 would suffice. I have no issue with those who think otherwise. I just can't agree with the thought pattern.

 

[MattKing]

Matt, if the Bessa III was a system camera like the Mamiya 645e, then I might be able to justify the price. But it isn't, it is a fixed lens folder, whose only 'selling point' appears to be the ability to switch between 6x6 and 6x7. Nineteen hundred pounds is simply way overpriced for this type of camera.

I understand where you are coming from Andy, but I think I may have been unclear.

The Mamiya 645e may have been a bad comparison. A better comparison might be something like the Plaubel Makina, or a Fuji 6x7 rangefinder - not in respect to the functionality, but instead in respect to the price. I think that the prices when new of cameras like that would, when adjusted to today's numbers, be in the same sort of range. The difference, though, is that the bottom has fallen out of the market with respect to the prices for used equipment, so our perspective is skewed on the prices for what little new medium format equipment that is still available.

The new Voigtlander/Bessa happens to be sufficiently different from most reasonably current used equipment, so it might fill a poorly served niche market, but I expect that it is expensive to manufacture and market.

By the way, I was in Glazer's cameras in Seattle today, and they had a fully equipped Mamiya 645e with latest edition 80mm lens and Rapid Winder grip. It was used, but looked absolutely pristine, and they had it priced at $299.00 USD!!! I was tempted, but .....

It just said to me that it isn't the price of this new camera that is off, it is the market they are trying to sell it into.

Matt

 

[david b]

I will be buying the camera. The Fuji version, with the accessories

 

[jd callow]

I think that many people will buy this camera because it is one of only 2 currently made cameras that fills the niche it occupies. Of the 2 6x7 RF's available it is less expensive and more portable. The other, the Mamiya 7, has its points as well and is, of course, equally rare. Not everyone buys used, not everyone needs 5 lenses or anything other than a normal focal length, and many folks prize portability. If I could get Fuji to just twist the dial ever so slightly (6x9 and 65-80mm or 6x6 and 43-50mm) I'd be saving up for one.

 

[Chazzy]

I will be buying the camera. The Fuji version, with the accessories

Is there any other accessory besides the lens hood?

 

[eclarke]

I think that many people will buy this camera because it is one of only 2 currently made cameras that fills the niche it occupies. Of the 2 6x7 RF's available it is less expensive and more portable. The other, the Mamiya 7, has its points as well and is, of course, equally rare. Not everyone buys used, not everyone needs 5 lenses or anything other than a normal focal length, and many folks prize portability. If I could get Fuji to just twist the dial ever so slightly (6x9 and 65-80mm or 6x6 and 43-50mm) I'd be saving up for one.

It will give the largest negative for the smallest camera in a pretty tough little package which is self contained. My Mamiya 7 needs to be disassembled to carry it and this Fuji could be a carry along when no other camera (besides one of those electric jobs) can make the trip...EC

 

[Mick Fagan]

Charles, I believe that there is a soft case.

By the way, as a previous owner of the folding 645 Fuji, don't expect this camera to be really small, I don't believe it will be.

Mick.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I just received the pricing on the Bessa III in Canada... it will be selling for $2650.
-rob

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Well guys, the Australian price and delivery are now known. So too, is an innovative offer from the local CV distributor which might cause some envy outside of the Antipodes. See this.

<http://mainlinephoto.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/the-bessa-iii-australia-wide-project-get-to-use-one-for-14-days>

 

[pellicle]

Hi

See this.

<http://mainlinephoto.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/the-bessa-iii-australia-wide-project-get-to-use-one-for-14-days>

thanks for the link ... reading further on that site revealed the Aussie price of over three grand

:`(

sniffle ... wipes nose ... oh well

 

[munz6869]

sometimes it pays to be online randomnly throughout the day - imagine my glee when mainline told me I'm first on the list for their project!! Now I just need to think of 14 days worth of interesting things to photograph... hmm, I wonder how much leave I have accrued....

Marc

 

[Mick Fagan]

Marc, I'll be very interested in what you think of it, I'm also on the list, according to a confirmation email from Scott.

This is far better than just hoping the camera is going to work for you by holding one in a shop, although there isn't a shop within a 1,000 Klm's from me that will have one in stock.

Mick.

 

[munz6869]

My thoughts exactly! I'll write up a bit of a review, and of course make a few pictures... E6, Portra, and Plus X....

Marc

 

[Mick Fagan]

Hmm, I think I had better head into Vanbar before you do and pick up swags of their 120 films on special, in the big box opposite the counter

Mick.

 

[pellicle]

Mick

although there isn't a shop within a 1,000 Klm's from me that will have one in stock.

so much for Sunny Melbourne being any kind of national capital city ;-) Although I'd a thought that Sydney would be within 1000Km of you ... so perhaps you're not in Melbourne?

 

[Mick Fagan]

From my place to Crows Nest, is approximately 980 Klm's. I have traveled to a very close place to Crows Nest in the northern parts of greater Sydney a couple of times, to sleep on a floor. It's certainly cheaper than a hotel!

Official kilometre distances will always be shown as shorter. I also do not use Toll roads, therefore I take longer, travel further and slower, but more cheaply.

Mick.

 

[pellicle]

Sorry Mick, as a "Banana Bender" meself I couldn't help it and had to slip one in ;-)

 

[seawolf66]

Why in the Heck did they not make a 6x9 than a 6x7 !! It would have followed suit then!

 

[jd callow]

If they made a 6x9 I doubt they'd bother with a 6x7 and go straight to 6x6. OTH by making a 6x6/6x7 they may figure they can cover almost as much ground with one camera.