Fujica GL690 lens CLA

merciless49

merciless49

I'm scared of clowns
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Hi everyone, I've finally been able to buy the 180mm telephoto lens for the GL690! Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290448409025&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Judging from the pictures I'm taking a gamble, for sure, but at the fraction of the price that some others had asked for this lens I'd say it's hopefully a good gamble. I'll be picking it up this afternoon, so fingers are crossed. Anyway, would love to know where I may take this lens, along with my kit (body, 100mm and 65mm), for a CLA? I've heard of someone having it done in San Francisco, Bay area? Thanks very much for all of your help!
 
From my experience CLA of 690 lenses is easy to do for any kind of skilled/experienced camera technician.
I have shutter speeds set on my 690 lenses by a now Canon technician. At first he was a bit sceptic but once when he opened the lens he said that it was more than easy. But he have about 25-30 years of experience in camera/lens repair.
 
Very straightforward Shutter

Very straightforward Shutter

I've disassembled and cleaned the lenses/shutter in my G690 100. It's a very straightforward shutter and easy to get to by someone with the right spanners. For the most part, however, I use Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz on the East coast. He's a veteran camera tech and strong on Fuji equipment. He's worked on a half dozen or more of my Fujica/Fuji cameras over the last decade and about to send another to him. Spoke with him on the phone about a month ago.

Very reasonable and time depends on his log of work on the shelf.
 
@ Vobluda, thanks very much!

@ Kuzano, thanks! I'll try to give Frank Marshman a call to see what we can do. Heavy package, though, if I were to send all the pieces to him...maybe I'll just have him CLA the new acquisition as it seemed to be in worst shape, and the other two lenses had worked just fine for me.

@ pagpow, thanks! I'll look into that location, as well!
 
Thanks to everyone again for all of your help! Picked up the lens, the glass is in good condition (may have a few scratches/cleaning marks, but no haze/dust as far as I can tell). The shutters sound ok to my untrained ears, perhaps a bit off but I'm unsure. I snapped off a few frames in the roll that was loaded in my camera, so I'll find out when those come back from the lab. Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to the results!
 
What about the body??

What about the body??

merciless49 said:
Thanks to everyone again for all of your help! Picked up the lens, the glass is in good condition (may have a few scratches/cleaning marks, but no haze/dust as far as I can tell). The shutters sound ok to my untrained ears, perhaps a bit off but I'm unsure. I snapped off a few frames in the roll that was loaded in my camera, so I'll find out when those come back from the lab. Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to the results!
Click to expand...

I was watching that auction. I wasn't interested in the long lens. My next purchase will be a 65mm. However, I was really surprised to see this 180 go for so little. They almost never show up, and all of a sudden there are (were) two on eBay.

Great score.

I was (am) however interested in a body for parts or restore. I have a functional but cosmetically poor G690 with a large dent in the top.
 
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Just had a 690 Cla'd, along with the RF and VF, was told it was straightforward, the price was reasonable, had the shutter cleaned, the seals replaced-- RF brightened up. Seal materials were not that good in the originals from what I have seen, but not hard to replace.

Couple are on www.Igorcamera.com

Regards, John
 
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kuzano said:
I was watching that auction. I wasn't interested in the long lens. My next purchase will be a 65mm. However, I was really surprised to see this 180 go for so little. They almost never show up, and all of a sudden there are (were) two on eBay.

Great score.

I was (am) however interested in a body for parts or restore. I have a functional but cosmetically poor G690 with a large dent in the top.
Click to expand...

Hi Kuzano, it was a deal that I couldn't pass up. I've been looking for this lens for a long while now. Saw one on KEH last Christmas, but was unable to get it due to shortage of funds. So, all this time to try and save up/trim down gears to afford this lens. There was a constant listing on Ebay for a nice looking 180mm lens, but the asking price was just too high for me. I almost wanted to bid on the 150mm lens also, but decided against doing so. I may regret it...
 
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JohnTF said:
Just had a 690 Cla'd, along with the RF and VF, was told it was straightforward, the price was reasonable, had the shutter cleaned, the seals replaced-- RF brightened up. Seal materials were not that good in the originals from what I have seen, but not hard to replace.

Couple are on www.Igorcamera.com

Regards, John
Click to expand...


Hi John, where did you get your setup serviced? I'd love to know! Thanks!
 
merciless49 said:
Hi John, where did you get your setup serviced? I'd love to know! Thanks!
Click to expand...

I sent it in through a friend, though I hear Mr. Kim in Chicago is a very good repairman for all types of cameras.

It seems to be a fluid system with repair, I did hear that the camera is not that complex to work on-- everything seems to be where it should, and the seals are not hard to replace, so you should be able to get a standard rate.

I would be surprised if someone here would not have an address?

Regards, John
 
merciless49 -- finally found that other service reference I mentioned in my earlier post.

Apex cameras Walnut Creek
925-933-6016
1295 Boulevard Way
Walnut Creek 94956
 
Nice buy! I was also looking at this auction and just recently purchased a couple of 690 bodies to service and swap parts out for a better system. I'm in the process of replacing the light seals in the next couple of weeks. Later 690 studio portraits will be posted here.
 
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