Any Fuji G690, G690BL, orGL690 user/owners here?

[Calzone]

After getting a Plaubel SW69 Proshift, I have gas for other 6x9 cameras, and I am being offered a deal on a G690BL kit with 65/5.6, 100/3.5 and 150/5.6.

Because this deal is from a friend who is also a collector, I'm expecting that this might be a package deal that is an opportunity, since the 65/5.6 and 150/5.6 are both very-very hard to come by.

Anyone know about the performance of the 65/5.6 and 150/5.6. My internet searching has only determined that the 65 is a Super Augulon design (28mm equiv. in 35) and the 150/5.6 is a Sonnar design (60mm equiv. in 35).

Tomorrow afternoon I will be able to inspect the kit and its being sold as an all or nothing deal. BTW all the focal lengths with the Plaubel provide a dream kit of 21, 28, 40, and 60 equivilents for 6x9 format. Kinda perfect for me.

Thanks in advance.

Cal

 

[t.s.k.]

Hey Cal.

FWIW, the really useful lenses are the 50mm, 100mm and 150mm. The 65mm is still a fantastic lens but that FL can be had with a GSW. Besides, 28mm isn't really my style.

With that said, I do have the 65/5.6 along with a 50/5.6, 100/3.5, and 150/5.6. They are excellent performers in spite of being a bit flare prone. IIRC, they are all single coated and the (rather cheaply made) hoods are a good idea. The lenses, for me, are rather slow shooters because the slim aperture and shutter rings are right next to each other, making it difficult to adjust one without affecting the other. For eye level shooting, it takes some to get used to especially for someone with fat fingers like me.

My history is short with the kit so I'm sure someone with more experience can fill in the blanks. Nevertheless, it's a very useful setup as I'm in the market for another GL body (to fit Nikon diopters).

So what's the price?

 

[Calzone]

Tony,

The asking is $1,600.00 for everything, but that's just the start. I was told that there is some brassing and that everything was professionally checked out and should be good to go. Looking around I know that this is high; but knowing my friend's personality, I am hopeful that I will be surprised at the condition and all the add ons like hoods, caps, veiwfinders and other extras.

At this point its wait and see. If the deal isn't great, I'll negociate the price lower to make it good for me. At this point I don't even know if its a BL or hopefully a GL, or if the glass is post 1974 with rubber focus rings except the 65mm. My friend works at a big camera store, and I'm sure only purchased the most choice gear that came his way.

The character of single coated lenses is no bother to me as I shoot almost always B&W and I like the low contrast. I love my 35/2.0 Nikkor-O, 28/3.5 Canon Serenar, and old Rolleiflexes. Also the 65/5.6 is a very useful because I shoot 28 a lot.

Cal

 

[merciless49]

Hi Cal,

I would recommend Dante Stella's excellent reviews on the lenses and the system itself. As well, check out this site, also full of information.

I personally have used the 65mm f8 (older version) but essentially yields the same performance. Love the results that these give using Velvia 50. I have not used the 150mm but have the 180mm lens and find it to be superb. Wishing I could afford the 50mm, but for now I'm very satisfied with my kit of 65mm, 100mm, and 180mm.

 

[Calzone]

Hi Cal,

I would recommend Dante Stella's excellent reviews on the lenses and the system itself. As well, check out this site, also full of information.

I personally have used the 65mm f8 (older version) but essentially yields the same performance. Love the results that these give using Velvia 50. I have not used the 150mm but have the 180mm lens and find it to be superb. Wishing I could afford the 50mm, but for now I'm very satisfied with my kit of 65mm, 100mm, and 180mm.

Thanks for the link. Dante Stella's pages provided a lot of insights, but not the complete picture. My Plaubel SW69 has a Schneider 47/5.6 Super Augulon as well as rise and shift capabilities, so my 21mm equivilent is already made with this fixed lens camera.

The 180mm is a Sonnar formula like the 150mm, and it is good to know that your 180 is superb.

I'm looking forward to building out a 6x9 kit and luckily this offer has all the focal lengths I need.

Cal

 

[merciless49]

Hi Cal,

Good point, since you have the Plaubel then you don't really need to have the 50mm (unless it comes your way) on the Fujica system. I would also say that there are several threads on RFF that pertains to Fujica 690, so do check them out if you haven't already. Hopefully it all turns out to your liking!

Ming

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It's good enough that I didn't pick up my Leica M4 for 7 months when I had the G690BL. I had the same range of kit and paid more for all those lenses + body than you're being offered, so I say go for it. it's just a really amazing system and very quiet too. I was shooting on the NYC metro with that 65 and got some great shots with it. It's a big camera/lens combo but there's nothing out there like it either.

Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

It's good enough that I didn't pick up my Leica M4 for 7 months when I had the G690BL. I had the same range of kit and paid more for all those lenses + body than you're being offered, so I say go for it. it's just a really amazing system and very quiet too. I was shooting on the NYC metro with that 65 and got some great shots with it. It's a big camera/lens combo but there's nothing out there like it either.

Phil Forrest

For the kind of urban landscape I do the big negative is a great thing. Also I tend to carry two cameras frequently, so the focal lengths are well suited for my needs.

I talked with my friend late yesterday; and, since he has so much gear, he is unsure of what he has, but he told me that he had the veiwfinder cleaned and was astonished how bright it was and compared it to a Leica M3. As far as hoods, he said that he only recently took the lenses out of the neoprene pouches, but he said that he never shot film through this camera. He kinda remembered that the VF was rectangular so its not a GL690, and he also thinks the focus rings are all rubber so they likely are 1974 or later lenses. I understand the 1974 and later versions of the 100/3.5 are lighter.

I'll be sacrificing a roll of 120 to test the film advance, and hopefully the lightshield is in good order.

Against the holiday spirit and good will, my friend needs the money sooner than later, but he is happy that this kit will go to someone who will use it. So far, I feel like a very lucky guy. Seems like the 65/5.6 and 150/5.6 are kinda rare. The way I ran into the Plaubel and now this Fuji kit has me spiritually thinking its "Divine Intervention" because I'm an increadably lucky guy, and I have many reasons to be thankful.

Thanks everyone for your help. At lunchtime today my friend and I will meet-up. I'll let you know Monday how everything went.

Cal

 

[t.s.k.]

Well here's an anticipatory congrats on acquiring some more unique gear. Genuine hoods, caps and cases are even harder to find without buying the corresponding lenses so get what you can now. And yea, the finder, as well as the aux finders, are a things of beauty.

btw, who's the guy that "checked" the camera out for your friend?

 

[Calzone]

btw, who's the guy that "checked" the camera out for your friend?

My friend is a salesman at a big New York camera store. Since I buy so much gear, over the past two years we have become good friends because we are so into old gear. Quickly I became a perfered customer, and I do kinda get special/exceptional treatment.

My friend had the in house service department check out the camera and they are the ones who cleaned up the VF.

I'm feeling very lucky.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I'm leaving work now. Wish me luck. Will report back Monday.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I bought the kit for $1500.00.

Its a user. The G690BL body has two dents, brassing, but the veiwfinder is bright and the film transport performed smoothly with a test roll. All the glass is clean, but no hoods. It becomes apparent that someone has been using this camera over the decades.

Initially I was disappointed that the 65/5.6 was really a 65/8.0, but soon fell in love with the superior veiwfinder of the slower lens that offers parallex correction. I also found that BlackRapid strap that I use with my F3P with a motordrive works well with my new rig.

I can see me trying to get a 690GL for the higher magnification rangefinder so I can go long short and carry two 690's with the 65 and 150 mounted.

The shutter release is kinda firm. Is this normal?

Cal

 

[Abbazz]

I bought the kit for $1500.00.

Good price for this kit. The 150mm lens alone is quite rare and you should be able to sell it for more than half the total price you paid. That is, if you don't want to keep it, of course, which I very much doubt.

Its a user. The G690BL body has two dents, brassing, but the veiwfinder is bright and the film transport performed smoothly with a test roll. All the glass is clean, but no hoods. It becomes apparent that someone has been using this camera over the decades.

These cameras are always users. Who wants to buy such a nice camera and keep it on a shelf without using it? The important point to check is the dark slide (the G690 series' weak point) -- although a non closing dark slide won't prevent you from using a G690, only from changing lenses with film inside the camera without spoiling a frame. Note that on a 690GL, the interlock will prevent you from releasing the shutter unless the dark slide is fully opened. Is the dark slide closing and opening properly on your camera?

Initially I was disappointed that the 65/5.6 was really a 65/8.0, but soon fell in love with the superior veiwfinder of the slower lens that offers parallex correction. I also found that BlackRapid strap that I use with my F3P with a motordrive works well with my new rig.

The 65/8 is just as good as the 65/5.6. And I personally seldom shoot those wide angle lenses at F/5.6 or F/8 anyway, because the corners are much sharper at F/11 or F/16.

I can see me trying to get a 690GL for the higher magnification rangefinder so I can go long short and carry two 690's with the 65 and 150 mounted.

I don't think the 690GL has a "higher magnification rangefinder." It has more interlocks than the earlier models, which makes it a more foolproof camera. To me, it also makes it less reliable and I prefer the more straightforward G690...

The shutter release is kinda firm. Is this normal?

Yes, this is a man's camera (joking, of course).

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[Calzone]

Good price for this kit. The 150mm lens alone is quite rare and you should be able to sell it for more than half the total price you paid. That is, if you don't want to keep it, of course, which I very much doubt.


These cameras are always users. Who wants to buy such a nice camera and keep it on a shelf without using it? The important point to check is the dark slide (the G690 series' weak point) -- although a non closing dark slide won't prevent you from using a G690, only from changing lenses with film inside the camera without spoiling a frame. Note that on a 690GL, the interlock will prevent you from releasing the shutter unless the dark slide is fully opened. Is the dark slide closing and opening properly on your camera?


The 65/8 is just as good as the 65/5.6. And I personally seldom shoot those wide angle lenses at F/5.6 or F/8 anyway, because the corners are much sharper at F/11 or F/16.


I don't think the 690GL has a "higher magnification rangefinder." It has more interlocks than the earlier models, which makes it a more foolproof camera. To me, it also makes it less reliable and I prefer the more straightforward G690...


Yes, this is a man's camera (joking, of course).

Cheers!

Abbazz

Thanks for your response. In my research I came across your site that provided a lot of helpful information. Many-many thanks.

The dark slide has proven itself to be reliable and fully opens everytime I have tested it. I love the focal lengths and how it complements my Plaubel 69W.

I often carry two Nikon F3's with motordrives in NYC, but the Fuji takes it to a new level. At a recent NYC Meet-Up I had the opportunity to compare the weight of my Fuji and a Linhoff 70 Technica 4x5 camera, and the Linhoff was only a little heavier. LOL.

Anyway I feel that a heavy camera is a steady camera. Already the Plaubel has shown me I can get sharp pictures at night at 1/8th second. Go leaf shutters.

Checkout the recent Santacon 2010 thread because there is a picture John took of me holding the Fuji with the Plaubel. Kinda funny how the cameras make me look extra small and skinnier than I really am.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Checkout the recent Santacon 2010 thread because there is a picture John took of me holding the Fuji with the Plaubel. Kinda funny how the cameras make me look extra small and skinnier than I really am.

Cal

I got ya covered Cal:

 

[Calzone]

Thanks John.

Cal

 

[kuzano]

Will probably pick up a GM670 body.....

Will probably pick up a GM670 body.....

I have the G690 and G690bl and the 100mm and 65mm/8. I think I will pick up a GM670 body for those times when I may take along two bodies.

It occurs to me that it makes sense to have a 6X7 body in order to get one more frame per roll AND the smaller format. The wider coverage on the 65 will compensate a bit for the loss of the 2CM when using the 690 and the 100.

In any event, i really like my Fujicas.

 

[Calzone]

Interesting to note that the VF that came with my 65/8.0 has dotted lines for a 6x7 frame even though all my glass has ribbed focusing rings. Evidently my VF is a later one that can accomodate a GM670. On the web I didn't see any mention of this VF evolution.

Good luck for your search for a GM670.

Cal

 

[kuzano]

The GL690 and GM670

The GL690 and GM670

Interesting to note that the VF that came with my 65/8.0 has dotted lines for a 6x7 frame even though all my glass has ribbed focusing rings. Evidently my VF is a later one that can accomodate a GM670. On the web I didn't see any mention of this VF evolution.

Good luck for your search for a GM670.

Cal

The GL and GM models were the last and most advanced models of the interchangeable lens Fujica cameras. I've seen both of them on eBay from time to time, but was not thinking in that direction. The 4 way body/lens combos came to me recently, since I decided that there was more flexibility (although more weight) in the interchangeable models.

My G690/100mm cost me $300 because of a dent in the top, and I just picked up the bl body for $300 and the 65/8 for $300 by waiting diligently.

I think I've seen breakouts on the info for the GL and GM models both on Dante's site and the Lallement site on Fujica.

 

[Calzone]

The GL and GM models were the last and most advanced models of the interchangeable lens Fujica cameras. I've seen both of them on eBay from time to time, but was not thinking in that direction. The 4 way body/lens combos came to me recently, since I decided that there was more flexibility (although more weight) in the interchangeable models.

My G690/100mm cost me $300 because of a dent in the top, and I just picked up the bl body for $300 and the 65/8 for $300 by waiting diligently.

I think I've seen breakouts on the info for the GL and GM models both on Dante's site and the Lallement site on Fujica.

I was admiring rangefinder on my G690BL last night. The way the framelines move as you focus bypasses the framing limitations on other rangefinders. No need for a SLR for accurate framing.

In my case, a GM670 would give me six possibilities with my three lenses. Add the Plaubel 69W and I'm pretty much spoiled. I often carry two cameras so I pair the 100/3.5 (40mm equivelent) with the Plaubel's 21mm equivelent.

Cal