Which Medium Format rangefinder?

Alan Edward Klein · Oct 7, 2019

I use an Mamiya RB67 SLR MF usually for landscapes. I'm looking for a rangefinder, Lighter than the RB67. To be used for landscapes mainly but maybe some portraiture. Recommendations and why?

Alan Edward Klein · Oct 7, 2019

...street shots too.

campy51 · Oct 7, 2019

I had a Fuji GW690II but sold it when I got a great deal on a Mamiya 7 and if you have the money I would highly recommend the Mamiya over the Fuji. The Fuji is a nice camera but the Mamiya is smaller and has a accurate meter so no need to carry a handheld meter.

craigclu · Oct 7, 2019

Can't go wrong with the Mamiya... Great optics, easy handling. An added benefit of the RF world is that when a support is needed, they require very little in the way of tripod bulk with no mirror mechanism slapping about. I also use the Bronica RF645 gear and tend to grab that for people duties as the vertical format serves that duty well. The lenses are great and I don't see any print advantage unless printing to 11X14 on up. The Bronica has a better "tactile" feel and the Mamiya feels more plastic-like/hollow if those elements mean anything to you.

Paul Howell · Oct 7, 2019

The key "Lighter than RB 67" leaves you with Mamiya 6 or 7, or as noted above Bronica 645. If you wanted a MF for landscapes then I think about a Kodak Tourister, a model with the better lens and shutter, scale focus but I shoot Landscapes so when I want 6X9 that is much lighter than my Mamiya Universal it is the Tourister at infinity. The real draw back is that I need to rewind film from 120 to 620 spools.

Sirius Glass · Oct 7, 2019

Lighter? Hasselblad. Buy now while the prices are low. Over time the prices will raise.

Colin Corneau · Oct 7, 2019

How about a folder? Some terrific bargains in older models but if you can scrape together the cash, the Fuji 670 is fantastic.

Mamiya 6 and 7's are excellent and the lenses are almost unparalleled (in my view), however they aren't having repair parts made for them anymore and there's a few vital parts made of plastic that may cause issues down the road.

Don't downplay the Fuji 680 or 690's -- larger cameras but very handle-able and excellent optics, as well.

wyofilm · Oct 7, 2019

Lenses on the Mamiya 7 are spectacular (I assume same for 6) and aren't that much ahead of the Bronica 645. Mamiya would be better for landscapes. I also have a Voigtlander Bessa II with a heliar lens. Sharpness/contrast of lens isn't as good as the previously mentioned cameras, but it is more compact and gives a spacious 6x9 negative. Also, considerably cheaper than the Mamiya/Bronica.

MattKing · Oct 7, 2019

Paul Howell said:
If you wanted a MF for landscapes then I think about a Kodak Tourister

If you search, you need to look for the Kodak Tourist, not Tourister.
There are a bunch of versions, so you need to be careful.
Here is one from mine:

DREW WILEY · Oct 7, 2019

The Fuji's are excellent. They are restricted to a fixed lens; but RF's in general are quite limited in terms of long lens use, where SLR's excel. I happen to really like the extended rectangle of the Fuji 6x9, the same ratio as 35mm film. They hand-hold superbly and the lens is top notch with nice bokeh. They're affordable too.

awty · Oct 8, 2019

One word "sixtwelve", actually its two words, unless you say it quickly. Keep the rb for portraits. Wide land scapes is where its at for two eye vision, unless you are one eyed then just use the rb and a pack mule.

johnha · Oct 8, 2019

I looked at the Fuji 6x9 RFs as a lighter option compared to my P6x7, once I'd seen one I realised they were nearly as heavy as the Pentax (size wise they were similar). Having a meter prism and a bagful of lens options made the Pentax much more versatile.

The Mamiya 7 is clearly the best RF option for me, except the UK prices are stratospheric. I really liked the idea of the Bronica 645 RF back in the day but I don't think I've seen one for sale in the UK over the last decade.

narsuitus · Oct 8, 2019

Alan Edward Klein said:
I use an Mamiya RB67 SLR MF usually for landscapes. I'm looking for a rangefinder, Lighter than the RB67. To be used for landscapes mainly but maybe some portraiture. Recommendations and why?

I use a Mamiya RB67 primarily for portraits. I can use my RB67 for landscapes but I prefer the lighter 6x9cm Fuji rangefinder with a 65mm wide angle lens.

Medium Format Kit by Narsuitus, on Flickr

removedacct1 · Oct 8, 2019

I like my Kodak Medalist II a lot. It has a certain "built like/looks like a tank" aesthetic, but its very good at what it does and makes a great 6x9 negative. You have to learn to respool 120 film to 620 reels though, but its a minor nuisance.

campy51 · Oct 8, 2019

paulbarden said:
I like my Kodak Medalist II a lot. It has a certain "built like/looks like a tank" aesthetic, but its very good at what it does and makes a great 6x9 negative. You have to learn to respool 120 film to 620 reels though, but its a minor nuisance.

I also have the medalist and I found modifying the 120 spool easier and almost as fast. I snip around the rim with a nail clipper and then place rough sand paper on flat surface and hold the spool vertical and just make circular motion until both ends are about 1/16 thick. Takes about 5 minutes and never had a problem but I have only done 3 or 4 rolls.

Trask · Oct 8, 2019

Don’t forget the Plaubel 67/670 and Plaubel W67 folding cameras. Excellent 80mm or 55mm (Wide version) Nikkor leaf shutter lenses, built in light meter, excellent viewfinder. As the model numbers indicate, it produces 6X7 images on 120 film. I’ve found my W67 to be a.great travel camera.

Sirius Glass · Oct 8, 2019

There are just so many great folder MF cameras out there. I had a Certo Dolly SuperSport with a Zeiss lenses. Its optics were very high quality and sharp.

mshchem · Oct 8, 2019

Buy a 6x9 with no electronic junk.

John51 · Oct 9, 2019

campy51 said:
I also have the medalist and I found modifying the 120 spool easier and almost as fast. I snip around the rim with a nail clipper and then place rough sand paper on flat surface and hold the spool vertical and just make circular motion until both ends are about 1/16 thick. Takes about 5 minutes and never had a problem but I have only done 3 or 4 rolls.

It's the sandpaper part that has me feeling queasy.

A small lathe can be made from a Dremmel and a few pieces of wood. Or a cordless drill and stand. Then the spool can be shaved with a chisel rather than snipped rough and sandpapered. I've respooled often enough for it to be a routine. If I keep the film tight enough when spooling 120>620 and respooling 620>620, the bump at the tape end is so minimal that I can't identify when the film ends. About 4 to 5 minutes per film without rushing.

When I didn't have a camera with top IQ, ie. big neg and great glass, my GAS for such a camera was high. Once my Medalist II took care of the GAS, fun cameras like entry level folders became interesting. Why not, they're cheap.

campy51 · Oct 9, 2019

John51 said:
It's the sandpaper part that has me feeling queasy.

A small lathe can be made from a Dremmel and a few pieces of wood. Or a cordless drill and stand. Then the spool can be shaved with a chisel rather than snipped rough and sandpapered. I've respooled often enough for it to be a routine. If I keep the film tight enough when spooling 120>620 and respooling 620>620, the bump at the tape end is so minimal that I can't identify when the film ends. About 4 to 5 minutes per film without rushing.

When I didn't have a camera with top IQ, ie. big neg and great glass, my GAS for such a camera was high. Once my Medalist II took care of the GAS, fun cameras like entry level folders became interesting. Why not, they're cheap.

Sandpaper is not really a problem since the film is wound so tight that light can't get in so I don't think the sand paper and plastic from the spool will get in. Try it on a spare spool and do a little at a time until the spool can be taken in and out easily.

Alex Varas · Oct 9, 2019

paulbarden said:
I like my Kodak Medalist II a lot. It has a certain "built like/looks like a tank" aesthetic, but its very good at what it does and makes a great 6x9 negative. You have to learn to respool 120 film to 620 reels though, but its a minor nuisance.

+1 Kodak Medalist II is for me the best 6x9 camera, re-spooling takes me 5 min tops.
Focusing is easy and viewfinder covers pretty well the area plus I have glasses and it’s wonderful comparing with other viewfinders.

Which Medium Format rangefinder?

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