Should I trade in my Fuji GW690III for a Fuji GF670 or Plaubel Makina 670/67?

[etn]

I would recommend the Mamiya 6 or 7 cameras to the OP.

I have little experience with the Mamiyas, apart from briefly holding a friend's Mamiya 7 in my hands and shooting a few pics with it. But this how it IMO compares to the Makina:

Pros:
- Multiple lenses
- Lenses are excellent, particularly the 43mm
- Better rangefinder patch

Cons:
- Bulkier
- More expensive
- The 80mm lens is "only" f/4, vs f/2.8 on the Makina

That said, I chose the Makina for its smaller size. If I want multiple lenses I have my Hasselblad. (But ask me again in 6 months and I'll certainly drool over a Mamiya 7, ha ha)

Note: my above comment on the excellent Mamiya lens does not mean that the Makina lens is bad - quite the opposite in fact!

 

[brian steinberger]

I have little experience with the Mamiyas, apart from briefly holding a friend's Mamiya 7 in my hands and shooting a few pics with it. But this how it IMO compares to the Makina:

Pros:
- Multiple lenses
- Lenses are excellent, particularly the 43mm
- Better rangefinder patch

Cons:
- Bulkier
- More expensive
- The 80mm lens is "only" f/4, vs f/2.8 on the Makina

That said, I chose the Makina for its smaller size. If I want multiple lenses I have my Hasselblad. (But ask me again in 6 months and I'll certainly drool over a Mamiya 7, ha ha)

Note: my above comment on the excellent Mamiya lens does not mean that the Makina lens is bad - quite the opposite in fact!

Good point about the 2.8 maximum aperture on the Makina vs f4 on the Mamiya. I agree with all you said. I would add for portability the Mamiya 6 lens does collapse into the body which is handy when size and bulk matter. You can’t go wrong with any of these cameras. I would decide what format you’d like, and whether or not you want multiple lenses and go from there.

 

[etn]

Good point about the 2.8 maximum aperture on the Makina vs f4 on the Mamiya. I agree with all you said. I would add for portability the Mamiya 6 lens does collapse into the body which is handy when size and bulk matter. You can’t go wrong with any of these cameras. I would decide what format you’d like, and whether or not you want multiple lenses and go from there.

If 2.8 is desired and only one lens is acceptable, a Rolleiflex can be an alternative in the "low size and weight" department - albeit with a very different form factor and usage!

 

[dave olson]

I have a Fuji folder 6x7/6x6. The F3.5 lens is incredibly sharp and the shutter is so quiet I sometimes wonder, did I? I like it for it the versatility of two of the most in-demand medium formats. The meter is very accurate. It folds up nicely and is well protected. It's pricey.

 

[manfrominternet]

Well, I got really, really lucky. Someone very generously sold me their essentially brand new all-black Fuji GF670 for only $2500 flat. Not even a light scratch on the body, lens, or anywhere else. The bellows are light tight. The rangefinder is dead on accurate as is the internal light meter. The set came with all the boxes, paperwork, and even the clear plastic bags! Also included are the original GF670 lens hood and the leather Fuji case. Hell, even the original DVD came with the set. This being one of the unicorn cameras I thought I'd never get, I decided to fully deck out the camera with the Peak Design Hand Strap, custom GF670 leather camera covering, -4D Nikon diopter (yes, my eyes are that bad), and its own separate camera bag. I took it to Philly for a test run and, man, using this camera really is quite an experience. The 80mm F3.5 lens is the ideal focal length for me. Being able to use this camera as both a 6x7 and 6x6 camera makes the camera a joy to use. I'll report on the developed negs and slides when I get them but, otherwise, so far so good!

I will say, though, that the criticisms of this camera are valid. It feels like a solid, hefty camera when its closed, but as soon as you open up the lens door you feel like your holding something delicate. The camera can be hard to grip, particularly if you have massive hands. Considering that the camera is apparently easy to scratch, particularly the soft rubber on the door, I bought the leather camera covering and I cut a piece of gaffer's tape to fit over the door's soft rubber coating. But for me, this is where the criticism ends (for now). I just hope that in a year or two I don't have a freakishly expensive paperweight on my hands...

 

[warden]

Well, I got really, really lucky. Someone very generously sold me their essentially brand new all-black Fuji GF670 for only $2500 flat. Not even a light scratch on the body, lens, or anywhere else. The bellows are light tight. The rangefinder is dead on accurate as is the internal light meter. The set came with all the boxes, paperwork, and even the clear plastic bags! Also included are the original GF670 lens hood and the leather Fuji case. Hell, even the original DVD came with the set. This being one of the unicorn cameras I thought I'd never get, I decided to fully deck out the camera with the Peak Design Hand Strap, custom GF670 leather camera covering, -4D Nikon diopter (yes, my eyes are that bad), and its own separate camera bag. I took it to Philly for a test run and, man, using this camera really is quite an experience. The 80mm F3.5 lens is the ideal focal length for me. Being able to use this camera as both a 6x7 and 6x6 camera makes the camera a joy to use. I'll report on the developed negs and slides when I get them but, otherwise, so far so good!

I will say, though, that the criticisms of this camera are valid. It feels like a solid, hefty camera when its closed, but as soon as you open up the lens door you feel like your holding something delicate. The camera can be hard to grip, particularly if you have massive hands. Considering that the camera is apparently easy to scratch, particularly the soft rubber on the door, I bought the leather camera covering and I cut a piece of gaffer's tape to fit over the door's soft rubber coating. But for me, this is where the criticism ends (for now). I just hope that in a year or two I don't have a freakishly expensive paperweight on my hands...

That’s a beauty. Congratulations!

 

[NedumgotCameras]

I agree that the T setting on the GW690 is dumb. But one could make a simple lightweight cap to cover the lens before turning the speed ring. BTW I don't recommend using the film advance to close the shutter, the image will drag a bit on the film.

Regarding the meter, the Plaubel uses a manual meter, which IMO is no better than a handheld one. The Fuji has AE I think.

The prices for the GF670 is not too far from a Mamiya 7. Although the latter will drag you down the rabbit hole of multiple lenses. Plaubel is less expensive I think.

I think the GF670 is better in specs than the Plaubel (6x6 option, AE, compactness, more recent) but have no experience with either. If it was me I'd keep the GW and buy film for 5 yrs with the difference.

PS. I also prefer the 4x5 aspect ratio, I managed to mod my 690 to take 10 6x7 shots.

Would you mind sharing how you modified your 690? The 670 is too hard to find now but I would like to shoot 67 natively

 

[OAPOli]

Would you mind sharing how you modified your 690? The 670 is too hard to find now but I would like to shoot 67 natively

I reverse-engineered the gear that indexes the frames, then 3D-printed one with more notches. Stuck some strips on the film gate for 6x7 (or 6x8) size. Not perfect, I get two pairs of frames touching.

replacement part vs. original by Olivier, on Flickr

Fuji GW690 6x7 mod by Olivier, on Flickr

 

[Aegemeni]

I reverse-engineered the gear that indexes the frames, then 3D-printed one with more notches. Stuck some strips on the film gate for 6x7 (or 6x8) size. Not perfect, I get two pairs of frames touching.

replacement part vs. original by Olivier, on Flickr

Fuji GW690 6x7 mod by Olivier, on Flickr

Hey OAPOli,

Any chance you have Solidworks files or STL STEP? Was it just the lower gear or both?
I've already tore my GW690ii apart to replace the integrated lens hood that got bent up. Needed to design and 3d print a spacer, which is easy compared to the actual dismantling and installation. 6X7 would be nice though as DowntownCamera prices are killing me. Yes, also in TDot.
Thanks in advance!!

 

[RezaLoghme]

I skim-read the opening post and just thought why one would want so many cameras which are all more or less the same?

First of all, a light/portable medium format camera is quite a contradiction in itself.
Then my guess would be that a fixed-lens rangefinder eventually ends but being traded in for a changeable-lens SLR.
I would buy a Hasselblad and be happy. Amongst many other things, it can be a 6x4.5 if needed.

 

[OAPOli]

Hey OAPOli,

Any chance you have Solidworks files or STL STEP? Was it just the lower gear or both?
I've already tore my GW690ii apart to replace the integrated lens hood that got bent up. Needed to design and 3d print a spacer, which is easy compared to the actual dismantling and installation. 6X7 would be nice though as DowntownCamera prices are killing me. Yes, also in TDot.
Thanks in advance!!

I had a few of the notched disks printed by SLS, and I have a few extra gears and bushings required to assemble the piece. I can give you a kit if you want, PWYC. Report this post and you can request a mod to allow you to PM.

 

[brian steinberger]

I skim-read the opening post and just thought why one would want so many cameras which are all more or less the same?

First of all, a light/portable medium format camera is quite a contradiction in itself.
Then my guess would be that a fixed-lens rangefinder eventually ends but being traded in for a changeable-lens SLR.
I would buy a Hasselblad and be happy. Amongst many other things, it can be a 6x4.5 if needed.

Ideally you could/should have both. Not sure if you have ever held a medium format rangefinder before but they have nothing in common with their bulky boxy heavy SLR cousins. If handholding is your highest priority for shooting MF, rangefinders are hands down the way to go.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Only the original "Texas Leica". I found the >6x6 RFs light but bulky, and my 500CM small but heavy. Mamiya RZ is probably worst of both worlds.

And it depends on how you want to hold the camera. 6x6/7 system cameras have a different, say, architecture than the ones which mimic a 35mm SLR (Pentax etc). System cameras work better with a WLF.

 

[mshchem]

I love Fuji 6x9s, I picked up a nice Fuji 6x8 perfect, 3 strips of 3.

 

[Prest_400]

Texas Leica threads have been interesting to me since 2012 I bought mine in 2014 and has been my one and only Medium Format camera until 2023, and having a 10 year anniversary soon. 6x9 contains the other formats by cropping and the camera's limitations are due to the form factor mostly.

I skim-read the opening post and just thought why one would want so many cameras which are all more or less the same?

First of all, a light/portable medium format camera is quite a contradiction in itself.
Then my guess would be that a fixed-lens rangefinder eventually ends but being traded in for a changeable-lens SLR.
I would buy a Hasselblad and be happy. Amongst many other things, it can be a 6x4.5 if needed.

Fuji were smart as they had two extremes that complemented: 6x9 and 645. A portable medium format is indeed a bit of an oxymoron but the folders can be considered relatively so. I find the dough for a GF670 way too much, and together with that include the other modern 120 RFs such as Mamiyas and Bronica 645. However a high end vintage folder can be a good second camera and I have gotten a Super Ikonta IV for that purpose. As these RFs have no interchangeable backs, different cameras and formats can compliment each other and do different films/speeds/B&W and color combinations.

The regearing project is interesting. TBH the camera was designed for 6x9 so the masking off to 6x7 still contains "oversized" architecture. The 6x8 seems quite an ideal with an extra frame that has a neat aspect ratio to print and it's a pity it wasn't widespread earlier. One shouldn't complain either about the film mileage and consumption of these cameras.

 

[GregY]

Texas Leica threads have been interesting to me since 2012 I bought mine in 2014 and has been my one and only Medium Format camera until 2023, and having a 10 year anniversary soon. 6x9 contains the other formats by cropping and the camera's limitations are due to the form factor mostly.


Fuji were smart as they had two extremes that complemented: 6x9 and 645. A portable medium format is indeed a bit of an oxymoron but the folders can be considered relatively so. I find the dough for a GF670 way too much, and together with that include the other modern 120 RFs such as Mamiyas and Bronica 645. However a high end vintage folder can be a good second camera and I have gotten a Super Ikonta IV for that purpose. As these RFs have no interchangeable backs, different cameras and formats can compliment each other and do different films/speeds/B&W and color combinations.

The regearing project is interesting. TBH the camera was designed for 6x9 so the masking off to 6x7 still contains "oversized" architecture. The 6x8 seems quite an ideal with an extra frame that has a neat aspect ratio to print and it's a pity it wasn't widespread earlier. One shouldn't complain either about the film mileage and consumption of these cameras.

I've had all the variations and the 6x8 has been my favourite!