Topic: Medium Format Rangefinder

[charles binns]

I am thinking of investing in a medium format range finder. Something like the Mamiya 6MF - preferably with an inbuilt meter.  Does anyone have any recommendations/advice?  Also ability to switch between 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 formats would be good.  I want something that is practical for travel photography  - so hand held and lightish is important.

I had though about buying a Fuji GW670 or 690 but the lack of an inbuilt meter put me off. 

I will be funding the purchase by selling off a number of cameras I have accumulated over the past 20 years and no longer use, so economy isn't so important but I do want a decent quality camera and lens.

Look forward to receiving any suggestions.

[Late Developer]

If you can stretch to it, I can recommend a Mamiya 7/7ii. The ONLY thing I didn't like about the one I had was the fact that I had to take it off the tripod mounting plate to open the back and reload film (I used it for landscapes before I got my Hasselblad). The Mamiya lenses aren't cheap and there isn't a massive selection - but they are bitingly sharp and contrasty; very little can live with them - even wide open.

[calbisu]

Well, to me the answer is clear, even though I do not own a medium format rangefinder camera I have been looking quite a lot of what that could be: the bronica RF-645, light for a medium format camera and with built in light meter. And then is modern camera so supposed to be reliable. The only thing is that format is vertical instead of panoramic, so it will depends how much you use one or the other, personally I go for vertical as I usually shoot people. So that is the rangefinder medium format camera I would buy if I would not have promised not to buy any more cameras 

[hookstrapped]

I love my Mamiya 6.  Easily the best camera I've ever had. Light, easy to handle, and fantastic lenses -- better than my Leica M2 on all counts. Good meter.  Only 6x6 though, which is fine for me but maybe not versatil enough for what you're looking for.

[gothamtomato]

The Mamiya 6 is something that's been on my wish list for a long time, but there's never enough money to get one. I have sometimes wished that when I got into medium format, I'd gotten that instead of my Hasselblad. I have read though, that you need to be careful when buying lenses for it (that sometimes they don't fit properly), but I don't know if that's true or if it's just something some knucklehead wrote on the internet.

There's a photographer whose work I love, and when reading her bio it said that she'd gotten a Mamiya 6 when she first started in photography and has been using it exclusively ever since. Part of me is jealous about that because sometimes I feel like all the equipment choices get distracting. It would be nice to be satisfied with having just one camera and then just get on with the work and stop thinking about playing with new equipment.

[hookstrapped]

The Mamiya 6 is something that's been on my wish list for a long time, but there's never enough money to get one. I have sometimes wished that when I got into medium format, I'd gotten that instead of my Hasselblad. I have read though, that you need to be careful when buying lenses for it (that sometimes they don't fit properly), but I don't know if that's true or if it's just something some knucklehead wrote on the internet.

There's a photographer whose work I love, and when reading her bio it said that she'd gotten a Mamiya 6 when she first started in photography and has been using it exclusively ever since. Part of me is jealous about that because sometimes I feel like all the equipment choices get distracting. It would be nice to be satisfied with having just one camera and then just get on with the work and stop thinking about playing with new equipment.

That must have been an internet knucklehead.  There are are only three lenses available for the camera...

There is a problem with the advance lever getting loose and, if you let it go, something inside falling apart and disaster occurring -- that's why I keep a knife in my bag to tighten (reverse thread) the thin-slotted screw under the rubber cap to the lever. 

I would sell all my other cameras and lenses before I would ever sell, which I never will, my Mamiya 6 and its 50mm and 75mm lenses.

[charles binns]

Thanks for your answers.  The Mamiya 6 was where I was leaning towards and if it came in 6x9 format I'd snap it up straight away.

The only thing is that I am agonising as to whether I want another 6x6 camera or a 6x9. 

The Fuji GW690 looks like a great camera but doesn't have an inbuilt meter  - I don't want to be pfaffing around taking light readings all the time for a number of reasons so a meter is important. 

Does anyone know if there is a 6x9 rangefinder with built in meter?

[Sandeha Lynch]

I don't know, Charles, but there is the Fuji GS645S.  I have one and while the focusing is not the clearest the meter is excellent, absolutely excellent.  However, whether 645 would interest you might depend on whether you are wet printing or scanning.

[hookstrapped]

Thanks for your answers.  The Mamiya 6 was where I was leaning towards and if it came in 6x9 format I'd snap it up straight away.

The only thing is that I am agonising as to whether I want another 6x6 camera or a 6x9. 

The Fuji GW690 looks like a great camera but doesn't have an inbuilt meter  - I don't want to be pfaffing around taking light readings all the time for a number of reasons so a meter is important. 

Does anyone know if there is a 6x9 rangefinder with built in meter?

I have one of these mounted on the shoe of my Leica M2 and it's great and easy to use.  Might be something to consider with the Fuji.  Makes manual settings quick and easy.

http://www.cameraquest.com/voivcmet2.htm

[charles binns]

Sandeha - thanks, I am scanning.

I thought of 645 cameras but I like the idea of a larger negative.   I may be wrong to dismiss 645 though.  I really want a camera that I can use hand held in most situations  - is this feasible with a 6x9 camera?  The trouble is I am so used to 6x6 I don't have much experience with other formats.

Hookstrapped - that's a great idea.  Thanks.

To be honest at the moment I am thinking of completely revamping my set of cameras (other than the Holgas and Dianas).  I have so many cameras I don't use including a Hasselblad, Mamiya Universal Press, Nikon F3, Yashica T4 etc., etc., etc. plus assorted film backs, lenses etc. that I should raise a fair bit of cash to reinvest in new equipment.   

[Randy B]

I love my Fuji GF670. Has a built in meter and is probably one of the lightest and most portable medium formats ever made with modern glass thats almost as nice as Mamiya or hasselblads.  You can switch from 6x6 or 6x7 and it folds up nice and small. Takes a single easy to find battery. Easy to load. Love it.

If you dont mind some added size and weight and want to have more than one focal length, everyone rants andraves about the Mamiya 6 or 7.

[gothamtomato]

I have one of these mounted on the shoe of my Leica M2 and it's great and easy to use.  Might be something to consider with the Fuji.  Makes manual settings quick and easy.

http://www.cameraquest.com/voivcmet2.htm

I'd never seen one of these before. That's a cool thing to know about. Thank you!

[stevesegz]

I agree a handy tool, used my new ( to me) GSW690 this morning. Have been after one for ages but also thought I needed a inbuilt meter. Not any more, a great camera really enjoyed using it. Cant wait to see those big old 6x9 negatives.

[Info Red]

I've never had the Mamiya 6, but am more than happy with my 7II.  Superb lenses, accurate meter, lightweight (relatively) and feels great in my hands.  I did have - very briefly - a Fuji 645, which was also a terrific camera; but it had a problem creating "fat rolls", so I took it back to the dealer.  Sorta wished I'd kept it though, & had the problem rectified.  It also had a great feel, was easy to use, with an accurate meter.  I have waaaay too many cameras right now, but the 7II will be with me if all the others are jettisoned down the  road.  I just really love that camera!  Of course, I love my Hasselblad, and Holgas, and Yashica-Mat, and F100, and F3HP, and Leica IIIc, and ... well, you know.  It has to do with wasting film.  Lots of film...

Guess I'll keep 'em all...

IR