New to Forums, Fuji is on the way

[DCphotos]

Just found these forums. I've got a GW690iii on the way to me from Toyko, bought on eBay Friday night hope to see it soon and post some images.
I'm a photographer in Alabama. I don't use film at work but for my personal stuff, I've had a few 35 rangefinders over the years but this will be my first medium format camera in 12 years. Never had a MF rangefinder before, really wanted a Mamiya 7 but I got this for $500. I see it's large, I am used to lugging a D3s everyday so I suppose it won't be so bad.

 

[Dan Daniel]

You'll enjoy it. It handles very smoothly. Well, except for the noise when the shutter fires- a bit of a 'thunk.' And it isn't that heavy.

 

[DCphotos]

Can't wait to get it. I was a little ancy about Japan, had planned to buy one from KEH but it sold before I got it.

 

[Kenj8246]

Welcome to the forum from two states away!

I'm in College Station TX and own a GW690III and really enjoy shooting it and the huge negatives. I'll pass along something I've discovered shooting medium format: if you develop your own, get yourself a stainless steel tank and reel(s). Getting 220 and sometimes 120 film onto the plastic reels once they start to age is a PITA for me.

Kenny

 

[DCphotos]

Yeah plastic tanks suck. I worked in a pro service lab for 10 years and I been a photographer for 16 since, I've processed and shot a lot of medium format. I went digital in 2001 and haven't used film for work much since, or at all since the D2 came out. But I still love shooting it for my personal work and that's what this camera is for, though I may shoot some portraits at work with it.

 

[DamenS]

You'll enjoy it. It handles very smoothly. Well, except for the noise when the shutter fires- a bit of a 'thunk.' And it isn't that heavy.

God, I WISH it was just a "bit of a thunk". Unfortunately, it is actually a much higher-pitched, metallic "ping" sound which resonates for a while after release. It is a horrible sound which really grates. A lower pitched "thunk" would be nowhere near as annoying even if it were substantially louder.

 

[oftheherd]

Welcome to RFF from Northern Virginia. I'm sure you will fit right in and enjoy it here. There are film and digital enthusiasts here. Never owned a modern Fuji MF, but have owned an ST 901 for some 35 years and love the camera and the lenses. I also have an old Fuji Six but haven't used it.

I don't think I have heard anyone complain about the Fuji MF cameras here on RFF. And 6x9 is a lot of real estate to work from. Looking forward to your input on photography, and sharing your Fuji photos.

 

[JohnTF]

Have used several of the MF Fujis, the newer ones are very strong and light -- love the 6x9 format, however, you may have trouble finding commercial processing, I never found any locally, all the labs seem to have carriers that are too short. I did all my 6x9 processing, have a nice APO lens in the darkroom.

Never had much trouble loading the Patterson reels, or any other plastic/nylon reels. I always keep a spare, if it seems to be trouble, I switch to another. The question of which always seems to be almost religious or political on line.

Pays to practice. Use the system you like.

Have seen plenty of steel reels that have been dropped and look fine, until you try to load them, also plenty of frames that were touching and did not develop. Some will rust.

I can use either, but I just have seen more failures with the steel reels. My first tank was actually plastic, but loaded from the center. I have also seen more "cup" marks from dimpling of the film during loading on the steel reels.

Does not hurt to practice with either, you will gain a preference over time.

Shutter noise is a non issue with me, you will know when it trips. ;-)

Regards, John

 

[thegman]

Can't wait to get it. I was a little ancy about Japan, had planned to buy one from KEH but it sold before I got it.

I'm sure it will be fine, I buy from Japan frequently, as well as China, Taiwan, and a few other far away places. Always got great service never had a problem, the only I've had issues with getting duff gear was buying from the states.

I'm sure you'll be glad to get back to medium format, the moment I started on medium format, 35mm has had trouble justifying it's place in my cupboard.

 

[DCphotos]

Japan Post tracking says it's in my local post office. Guess I'll pick it up tomorrow morning.
On the reels, steel loads much faster and smoother once you're used to it. I processed anywhere from a few to a hundred rolls a day for several years so I can zip them up and not have moons or stuck spots. The only time it's difficult is with 220 due to the thinner base. Funny thing, I find it much harder to do with my eyes closed than open, even though it's in total dark.
I hear the noise is actually from the counter. Perhaps a piece of gaffers tape will deaden it a little bit. I really don't care how much noise I make most of the time.

 

[Tom33]

Not that noisy - and look at what you can get... although this is just a GW680III with Portra 160:

Looking forward to some of your photos, so please post!

Cheers,

Tom

 

[rhl-oregon]

Welcome from Oregon. Check out the 6x9 Photos Only thread--lots of GW690 shots there. It's a great hulking simple instrument that loves landscapes but is capable of exquisite nuances:

 

[DCphotos]

Shot a roll at work Friday, have to wait for a lab to process it(c-41). I'll compare to portraits shot with my D3s.

I shot a couple rolls of Rollei 80s Sunday. Will post the first scan in the 6x9 thread in a minute and more later.

I like the camera. It's not as heavy as the camera I carry at work everyday. I can focus it also, I have trouble with manual focus SLRs as my eyes are getting older.