Plaubel Makina 67 CB1985

History

The Plaubel Makina 67 was introduced in 1979, a revival of the historic German Plaubel Makina name applied to a Japanese-built camera by Doi Co. of Tokyo, which had acquired the Plaubel brand. The standard Makina 67 was immediately successful among professional photographers for its combination of the 6×7cm format, Nikkor glass, compact folding design, and practical aperture-priority operation.

The CB variant appeared by the mid-1980s as a black-finish premium offering. Black-body cameras commanded collector and professional interest in Japan — inspired in part by the black Leica and Nikon SP traditions — and the CB satisfied demand for a blacked-out Makina. Production continued alongside the standard silver model until the Makina 67 line was wound down in the early 1990s.

Today, the Makina 67 CB is among the most expensive Japanese medium-format compacts on the used market, routinely trading at substantial premiums above the already-valuable standard Makina 67.

Why It Matters

The Plaubel Makina 67 CB is a collector's camera above all — the all-black finish adds significant premium over identical standard-finish examples. Photographically, it is indistinguishable from the silver Makina 67: same Nikkor 80/2.8 optics, same leaf shutter, same metering system, same folding convenience.

For photographers, the choice between CB and standard Makina 67 is purely aesthetic; the standard version offers equivalent image quality at considerably lower cost. For collectors, the CB's rarity and visual distinction make it a landmark piece in the Japanese medium-format compact canon.

Lenses & Accessories

The Plaubel Makina 67 CB has a fixed Nikkor 80mm f/2.8 lens; the system does not accept interchangeable lenses. Accessories:

• Soft release — cable release adapter for the shutter release button
• Cases — period leather and neoprene cases designed for the Makina 67 body
• Filter thread — 67mm filter thread on the Nikkor lens; standard circular filters accepted
• Wein cell — MRB625 silver-oxide replacement for the discontinued PX625 mercury battery

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Favoured by Japanese professional portrait and street photographers who preferred the aesthetic discretion of a blacked-out body.
• Collected by Plaubel Makina specialists as the rarest and most visually distinctive variant in the Makina 67 line.
• Used by contemporary film photographers who prioritise the 6×7 format, Nikkor glass, and folding convenience — and can afford the CB premium.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Plaubel Makina 67