Start discourse to help me decide on a camera. Please.

[Prest_400]

Back in 2014 I had the same decision situation. The titans: Pentax 67 vs Fuji 690.

I chose the GW690III after winning one at an auction from Japan and below $500 proce point. The P67 is still vrry enticing but even back then there was a significant difference in prices, or for a newer fuji, ome would get and older Pentax.

The point of you struggling with RF makes me think you should try it first. The VF is bog but the focusing pstch round and tiny. Anyhow, 8 exp a roll should make you want to go slower.

Nice 1.5kg camera and well featured. However the 105mm Takumar seems quite a legend now. I still wish for a P67 so often for that. However, I keep thinking of better use more and spend om film and material instead.
BTW there are rental companies who have these. In the US I see some guys under the handle of "filmobjektiv" that I keep seeing on Instagram.

The lack of metering is something these cameras get bad rap from. There are heaps of new shoe mounted meters or just a L308 which gets you incident readings.

 

[Hatchetman]

The Pentax is a solid camera. Very easy to use. Has about 20 lens options. Getting older though and will likely need repair at some point. I use it handheld mostly.

 

[flavio81]

Shape of P67 does not translate into any similarities in handling to any 35mm SLR, and I mean none. Same goes for MF RF vs. any 35mm RF. Even if you own lumberjack hands these are all from different worlds.

Difference in handling between a 35mm vs. MF lookalike is like between a Honda Civic and a tractor trailer

This.

And I found the RB67 with the WLF easier to handhold than the P67 with a prism. Maybe because cradling the RB67 was easier on the muscles versus keeping the P67 at eye level.

Agree on what some poster put above -- the Pentax 6x7 lenses are amazing, i had the excellent 90/2.8 and the 105/2.4 is amazing as well. But the camera I couldn't love so much. Scaling up the Pentax Electro-Spotmatic to 6x7 format wasn't a good idea IMO.

 

[Samuel Woods]

Can you say something about what kind of shooting you plan to do with this new-to-you camera?

The Fuji does have a larger viewfinder than an early Canon LTM camera. The focus patch is actually a bit small, smaller proportionally than on most 35mm rangefinders I think. Some people get along well with projected frameline cameras, but I've finally decided that they just aren't my thing. I work better with a 'hard edge' tunnel viewfinder like an SLR (or TLR). I now use a Kodak Medalist for my 6x9 handheld (and tripod work); it has a decent viewfinder and I usually use it for 'scenic' work, not street work although I have used it for that at times. The Fuji is much faster and more nimble than most other 6x9 cameras.

Hopefully a user of the Pentax 67 models will discuss how it really works for the kind of shooting you want to do, once you say something about this. It's a great camera with great lenses. Repairs and such are not readily available.

Although the 6x9 negative is nice, I would decide based on your preferred proportions, not overall square inches. If you are always going to crop to 2:3, sure, get a 6x9. There are Fujis in 6x7 and 6x8, by the way GW670 or GW680.

I plan to do some quicker style shooting with either the Fuji or Pentax. I find myself typically taking the Mamiya out for nighttime scenes. The Fuji is definitely lighter than the Pentax and RB. I think my RB comes in at 7 or 8 lbs because it has a metered prism, and I hear that the Pentax with metered prism is 5 lbs, which is still a good bit away from 7 or 8 lbs. I dont typically crop my images, only minor crops when I rotate the canvas to fix perspectives in Photoshop. I don't enlarge my photos either.

 

[Samuel Woods]

Shape alone does not mean that the Pentax 67 is like your 35mm SLR. The Pentax is much, much heavier by itself and tadding glass that can cover 67 makes it heavier still. Before jumping, I would handle one first at a camera show, borrow, or rent. I looked at one when first appeared on market and found it awkward compared to my Hasselblad 1000F.
Fuji 6x9 is far removed from your Canon. I have a Medalist, but it’s not my everyday shooter. Wonderful for what it was designed for...landscapes (well, actually enemy shore installations). But you like the format, Fuji is a good choice.
If you find Mamiya unwieldy, try a Hasselblad. Will fit your hand like a glove.
If no need for interchangeable lenses, Fuji folder GF670 or Makina 67.

I agree that the heaviness is a difference, however I was just speaking on form factors such as holding, winding film, loading film, looking through the viewfinder, etc. I think Hasselblad is a little out of my budget.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I agree that the heaviness is a difference, however I was just speaking on form factors such as holding, winding film, loading film, looking through the viewfinder, etc. I think Hasselblad is a little out of my budget.

No, buying a Hasselblad just means that you have to wait a little longer between buying lenses.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I agree that the heaviness is a difference, however I was just speaking on form factors such as holding, winding film, loading film, looking through the viewfinder, etc. I think Hasselblad is a little out of my budget.

When I referred to these monsters as "tractor trailers" in handling I really meant it. Take the the Fuji 690 for example. From afar seems quite similar to many RF 35 mm. In handling, it is a cow that cannot be milked without industrial machinery coming in for help. From the way film is advanced, to holding it all while focusing, framing and shooting.

Don't get me wrong, I love this thing, but by getting a very large negative you give up a lot in other departments. Its silly street name "texas leica" is it ... silly , but probably also misleading a lot of people. This is not for handheld shots for extended periods. It's possible to shoot from hand and heft may help in some cases to get a better one at that, but rarely do I enjoy handholding it. The main reason I have it is for its vast negative real estate and relatively more manageable size for a 6x9. Tripod or at a least a monopod is required in my book in most cases.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Its silly street name "texas leica" is it ... silly , but probably also misleading a lot of people. This is not for handheld shots for extended periods.

Hmmm... used a GW690 hand held for months as a street camera. Sure, it is bigger than a Leica and operation is slower. It's called a Texas Leica as a recognition of its basic layout but being stupid big, like Texas. It doesn't weight much more than a Rolleiflex 2.8F and is easily carried all day. And rests in the hand just fine for shooting.

The one thing I never got used to is that CLANG when you release the shutter.

 

[guangong]

No, buying a Hasselblad just means that you have to wait a little longer between buying lenses.

It seems to me that the wait would not be that much longer. Back when new, a very long wait; now, not so long.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Hmmm... used a GW690 hand held for months as a street camera. Sure, it is bigger than a Leica and operation is slower. It's called a Texas Leica as a recognition of its basic layout but being stupid big, like Texas. It doesn't weight much more than a Rolleiflex 2.8F and is easily carried all day. And rests in the hand just fine for shooting.

The one thing I never got used to is that CLANG when you release the shutter.

Well aware of where "texas leica" originated from. Was alluding to "leica" possibly indicating size to some, and that is where the problem is, the shear size and not the weight. Canon F1 is probably about same weight, yet I can use it all day. Everything on huge 6x9 RF like Fuji 690 is that. If you feel no difference handholding it all day compared to some other cameras, that's fine. Even if I can't see how.

 

[Dan Daniel]

If you feel no difference handholding it all day compared to some other cameras, that's fine. Even if I can't see how.

I didn't hold in my hands all day. Most of the time the GW690 would be across my body on a strap. The lugs on one side make it hang comfortably. At 8 shots a roll, best NOT to have it in the hands unless you have a possible shot. Imagine if Garry Winogrand had used one of these- he'd need four assistants just reloading cameras so he could keep shooting.

 

[bluechromis]

I have a Pentax 6 x 7 with a metered prism feel that it works well both on tripod and hand-held. Some have said it cannot be compared to a 35 slr, but find there is lot of continuity between how one uses the 6 x 7 with prism and 35 mm slr. It is intuitive to lift it up to one's eye and shoot. The meter on mine works well.

Some have said don't worry about the 6 x 6 format of a Hassleblad. But I look at that differently. I have 6 x 6 cameras I like, but don't like the 6 x 6 aspect ratio per se. Negative size is one factor in image quality. If you shoot with a 6 x 6 and are not passionately in love with square then you are cropping down effectively to a smaller negative. We start getting into the territory of 6 x 4.5. If we are going do to that some would say we might as well go for a 6 x 4.5 camera which will be lighter and more compact and probably easier to hand hold. If one is not all in with square the difference in effective negative size between and 6 x 7 and a 6 x 6 is bigger than it might seem because one does not make full use of the 6 x 6 negative.
Although the Hassey lenses have a mystique, I doubt the Pentax 6 x 7 lenses are much worse. The Pentax 6 x 7 Takumar 105 mm f/2.5 is a VERY fast lens for 6 x 7 and medium format in general. So it has the potential for really shallow DOF if that appeals to you. I don't think the other cameras that have been mentioned can match that. There are some leaf-shutter lenses for P67.

 

[eli griggs]

People like to put Hasselblad in a mystical category of rare, special, cliches and arm candy, but the reason it was so popular when being made during the last Century, is it is a Quality product, intelligent in design, and with it's Zeiss lenses, and other kit, the most 'work horse' for your dollar for professionals.

While many will consider their status in social circles a major boon, of ownership, the bottom line is most folks recognize them as very versatile, reliable and top notch kit to do what they want in a camera.

Hasselblad made magazines a in a number of formats, including 6x4.5", 4x4", 35mm, though an adapter for 120 film is, maybe, $10.

Cropping down from 6x6" depends how well you do your job, including shooting from the closest position possible, to fill the frame so minimal cropping is needed.

Having a good quality working tool to hand is the name of the game, and Hasselblad 500 Series kit, when huaving just one back, one lens, and a superior designed body, even a beater, is a great start, and will allow you get use to the format and develop your own abilities with the square format, with simplicity, and clean, clear vision of the world around you.

IMO.

 

[thuggins]

P.S. has anyone bought from Japanese stores on eBay? If so, how much are the customs/international fees, if any?

I don't know how the Grand Duchy of 28358 handles import fees and duties, but in the US there are none. I have bought a lot of gear from overseas (Japan, Europe and Asia) and never once had to pay a duty or had any interface with customs. It really wouldn't seem to be worth it for private purchases.

But oddly enough, that is not true in other countries. I recently discovered that my niece, who lives in the UK, has to pay a duty on everything, even packages clearly marked as gifts. I was crushed to realize that she has had to pay for all the things I've sent her over the years,

 

[flavio81]

I agree that the heaviness is a difference, however I was just speaking on form factors such as holding, winding film, loading film, looking through the viewfinder, etc..

Loading film was way slower with my P67 compared to a Mamiya C330 or a Mamiya RB67 film magazine.

Sorry folks but it's a bad design point of the Pentax 6x7. Film loading is very cumbersome due to the stupid design of the pins that keep the spools in place.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If your RB is not turning your crank, I'd say look at upgrading to an RZ. It takes everything good about the RB and takes it up a notch. It has perhaps the most well-damped mirror available in a medium-format SLR - I've pulled off 1/15th of a second, tack sharp, hand-held (some would accuse me of having freakish hand-holding skills, but whatever). I don't like the Pentax 67 from an ergonomics standpoint because the film transport is always in the horizontal position, so if/when you want to shoot verticals, you have to turn the camera. Also, because of the design, it is singularly biased toward people who are right-handed. With my RZ, with one of my Rolleiflexes, or with my ex-Hasselblad (Yes, @SiriusGlass , someone did leave the Hasselblad system), you can cradle the camera in whichever hand you prefer, and focus with the other, and trip the shutter with the thumb/index finger of whichever hand is holding the camera.

I once borrowed a Fuji 6x9 rangefinder- I found that it was just not for me. It was actually TOO sharp and contrasty - I felt like I was shooting HDR without choosing to do so. It also has a very strange mechanism for doing long exposures, which is a problem if you like doing such. You basically have to turn the shutter speed dial, which is on the lens, when you are done with a long time exposure, so it risks jarring the camera at the end of a multi-second exposure.

 

[Dan Daniel]

It also has a very strange mechanism for doing long exposures, which is a problem if you like doing such. You basically have to turn the shutter speed dial, which is on the lens, when you are done with a long time exposure, so it risks jarring the camera at the end of a multi-second exposure.

Note: you put the lens cap first, THEN you turn the shutter dial, to avoid the issue you mention. But yeah, it's annoying. Some Fuji GW's have a true B setting if that is critical- just keep a close watch when buying.

 

[eli griggs]

I bought a lens for parts/repairs from Japan recently, for a bit over $100 , maybe $150 and it was here in two-three days with no import charges, etc.

In fact I've bought a number of things in different topics from Japan, including an inexpensive, small knife, made by a famous sword-maker, from very long ago, and have never had anything held up for fees.

That lens by-the-way, is in way better shape than the seller's description.

Cheers.

 

[Samuel Woods]

Hi guys, thanks for all the replies. I appreciate all of the info, and will definitely keep it all for later use. I decided to go with the Pentax since it's still an SLR and slightly lighter than the RB67 (5 lbs vs. 8 lbs), and my thinking is that I'll use the P67 for daytime, and the RB67 for night time.

 

[mshchem]

You did well, keep your eyes open for a cheap Fuji rangefinder. I've got RZs, blads, and Fujis the Fujis are so easy to grab and go.