I love this camera.

canetsbe · 01-04-2012

I've owned quite a few MF cameras in the past and was never completely satisfied with the shooting experience, especially after moving to shooting 35mm on a leica. Most were cumbersome in use, like the mamiya RB67 and the C330, or had obnoxiously loud shutters like the fuji GS645 series (don't even need to mention the leaky bellows). I love my rolleiflexes and yashica 124 but I always wanted something that could match the experience of shooting a quiet, refined rangefinder.

Enter the GF670. Holy crap I love this camera so much. The lens is amazing. The viewfinder is incredibly clear and bright. The shutter is silent. It looks cool as hell. It's big but it doesn't weigh you down. It can take either 120 or 220 film and shoot 6x6 or 6x7. Winning...

Just wanted to rant about how much I love this thing. AND show you all some photos I've taken with it. If you love this camera as much as I do, please show everyone why!

Untitled by .. glory fades, on Flickr

RedLion · 01-04-2012

I luv mine also!

nighstar · 01-04-2012

nice photos you guys.

i wish i could afford a modern MF folder, but for now i use my Super Baldax and gawk at the photos of others...

Fotohuis · 01-08-2012

Just a small Dutch portfolio on the C.V. Bessa III 667 on Fuji Reala 100.

or as traveling camera to Ukraine, same film in 6x7cm:

FalseDigital · 01-08-2012

canetsbe - Those shots are BEAUTIFUL!!! If you don't mind me asking, what scanner are you using? The quality is excellent.

rbelyell · 01-08-2012

fabulous! now my understanding is that there are 2 models of this cam, one being a folder and one having a wider angle of view and being a non folder, is that right? which one is yours?

Tom A · 01-08-2012

Bessa III, Heliar 80f3.5. Acros 100 in Beutler 1:1:10 for 7 min.
Car design by Origami?

Tom A · 01-08-2012

This is with the Bessa 667W 55mm f4.5 lens. Not a folder, rigid lensmount. It is highly addictive - like an oversized Leica M with a brilliant finder and good AE system.
The guy was trying to start his Harley - succeeded and took off in a load roar, This was in Yokohama, Japan in November 2011. I let the AE work out the exposure - probably around 1/15s. Film was the new Tmax 2-400, developed in HC 110.
Both the Bessa III and the 667W are easy to hand hold at extremely slow speeds - the release is ultra soft and yes, virtually no sound. The 667W is so quiet that there even a small red light flashing by the eye piece to let you know that you just fired the camera.

canetsbe · 01-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalseDigital

canetsbe - Those shots are BEAUTIFUL!!! If you don't mind me asking, what scanner are you using? The quality is excellent.

Thanks a million! They are lab scans from Nelson Photo in San Diego, CA. They use a Noritsu scanner but I'm not sure which model. I just opt for their "hi-res" scans (about $11 a roll) and it usually gives me a pretty clean file where I don't have to do much other than the occasional color/contrast correction. I believe these were shot on Ektar and Portra 160nc.

I used to scan on my epson but for color neg it really just looks like crap 90% of the time.

Everyone else keep up the good work and keep sharing your GF photos here!

canetsbe · 01-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbelyell

fabulous! now my understanding is that there are 2 models of this cam, one being a folder and one having a wider angle of view and being a non folder, is that right? which one is yours?

I am shooting the folder, the GF670. The Wide is the GF670w.

kuzano · 01-09-2012

I've been a fan of Fuji MF for a long time. likewise, I've been a fan of Voigtlander folders. The pressure of both of those appeals came upon me when the 667 was first a rumor, and developing.

I signed on with interest with two criteria. A $1500 price tag and a strong desire for 6X8 or 6X9 format.

Well, the latter is not going to happen, but I see that the camera's are occasionally available at $1500. So, it look like I may get far more serious about getting one. Heaven knows I can't afford a Bessa II with an APO Lanthar lens ($7000), and a Bessa II with a Heliar in good tick is about $1500. I would, at least get my 6X9 format.

However, condescending to the 6X7 may be the wiser choice.

Nice pics. The one that turns me the most is the guy trying to get kicked over his Harley. I did that once on badly tuned Norton Commando and got kicked over the handlebars when it backfired. Got taken to the hospital for x-rays on my pelvis and leg. Sold the Norton. Ride a BMW Airhead now.

celluloidprop · 01-09-2012

Will we see the GF670W hit North America at the current GF670 price point ($1600 new from B&H, IIRC)?

kuzano · 01-09-2012

Currently starting to show up on eBay. Lowest price today (1 camera) $2500.

All others substantially over $3000...

specpro · 01-20-2012

For those interested in getting a Bessa III here's a candid review on my blog: http://adventuresinphoto.com/2012/01...review-part-1/

Tom A · 01-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuzano

I've been a fan of Fuji MF for a long time. likewise, I've been a fan of Voigtlander folders. The pressure of both of those appeals came upon me when the 667 was first a rumor, and developing.

I signed on with interest with two criteria. A $1500 price tag and a strong desire for 6X8 or 6X9 format.

Well, the latter is not going to happen, but I see that the camera's are occasionally available at $1500. So, it look like I may get far more serious about getting one. Heaven knows I can't afford a Bessa II with an APO Lanthar lens ($7000), and a Bessa II with a Heliar in good tick is about $1500. I would, at least get my 6X9 format.

However, condescending to the 6X7 may be the wiser choice.

Nice pics. The one that turns me the most is the guy trying to get kicked over his Harley. I did that once on badly tuned Norton Commando and got kicked over the handlebars when it backfired. Got taken to the hospital for x-rays on my pelvis and leg. Sold the Norton. Ride a BMW Airhead now.

Yes, a Norton can put you in an orbit if you are not careful!!! I used to have a Combat Commando 750 with megaphone exhaust. You either got a huge flame through the exhaust or it back-fired on you and you could easily clear the bike and get dumped on the lawn (i always used the lawn to fire it up - softer landing!). It was fine once warmed up - but early morning, cold starts were fun and exciting - and noisy!!!!! Also when you had some idiot tailgating you - and the engine was nicely warmed up - you retarded the ignition with a quick snap and cracked the throttle fully open - the flame from the exhaust would shoot out far enough to blacken the front and hood of the tail-gater!!!

LKeithR · 01-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom A

Also when you had some idiot tailgating you - and the engine was nicely warmed up - you retarded the ignition with a quick snap and cracked the throttle fully open - the flame from the exhaust would shoot out far enough to blacken the front and hood of the tail-gater!!!

Never had a bike that would do that but I did drive a '68 Ford half ton that would backfire on demand. Had a lot of fun with it in my "younger" years...

RattyMouse · 01-22-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by canetsbe

Thanks a million! They are lab scans from Nelson Photo in San Diego, CA. They use a Noritsu scanner but I'm not sure which model. I just opt for their "hi-res" scans (about $11 a roll) and it usually gives me a pretty clean file where I don't have to do much other than the occasional color/contrast correction. I believe these were shot on Ektar and Portra 160nc.

I used to scan on my epson but for color neg it really just looks like crap 90% of the time.

Everyone else keep up the good work and keep sharing your GF photos here!

This camera looks sooo cool but the cost of film development just keeps me from buying. I wish film were cheaper. Such pricing is only going to keep the downward spiral continuing. $11/roll!! I'd shoot 3-4 rolls a week easy if I had such a great camera. It would be a shame not to.

canetsbe · 01-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by RattyMouse

This camera looks sooo cool but the cost of film development just keeps me from buying. I wish film were cheaper. Such pricing is only going to keep the downward spiral continuing. $11/roll!! I'd shoot 3-4 rolls a week easy if I had such a great camera. It would be a shame not to.

Sell your digital camera (if you have one) and put that money into film and developing. That's what I did to buy this camera, haven't regretted it for a second!

RattyMouse · 01-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by canetsbe

Sell your digital camera (if you have one) and put that money into film and developing. That's what I did to buy this camera, haven't regretted it for a second!

Heh heh heh.....no, I cant do that. I need my digital gear too.

canetsbe · 01-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by RattyMouse

Heh heh heh.....no, I cant do that. I need my digital gear too.

come on you know you want to...

Just yankin your chain. But really, I turned my M8 and konica m-hex 50mm f/2 into a brand-new zeiss C-sonnar 50mm 1.5 for my film leicas, brand-new fuji GF670, and a rollei 35 (bundled with 8 rolls of film,) not to mention there was still some wiggle room left for buying a modest amount of film and processing it....