Best Fuji Medium Format camera?

[Prest_400]

I vote for all of them.
I've owned GW690iii's and currently own a GF670.
The GW690 versions are bit loud and clunky but the images are great and the cameras seem bomb proof.
The GF670 is the quietest and smoothest camera I've owned. It's only "fault" is battery dependence.
Has a 6x7 gate and a built in 6x6 mask that is very convenient.
The finder is gorgeous. So bright and clear with a nice RF patch.
I don't have a lot of images online so this one has been posted a few times before.

The shutter is so smooth and light the camera can be Easily handheld to very slow speeds.

I'd deem the GF670/Bessa III as the Ultimate Medium format travel camera. (Someone Hardcore could argue it is not an actual Fuji camera, but a Cosina).

Multiformat is a fantastic feature, with the real adjustment of 6x6 12 frames and 6x7 10 frames. Thought that +2 shots on a roll on 6x6 can make a difference with film economy during travel.

Prices are just a bit higher than a Mamiya 7 kit, so not bad for a new and modern camera with such features. I personally went with the GW's for the low price and bang for the buck they are. Kind of forgot about this camera but it seems really fantastic.

 

[Huss]

I vote for all of them.
I've owned GW690iii's and currently own a GF670.
The GW690 versions are bit loud and clunky but the images are great and the cameras seem bomb proof.
The GF670 is the quietest and smoothest camera I've owned. It's only "fault" is battery dependence.
Has a 6x7 gate and a built in 6x6 mask that is very convenient.
The finder is gorgeous. So bright and clear with a nice RF patch.
I don't have a lot of images online so this one has been posted a few times before.

The shutter is so smooth and light the camera can be Easily handheld to very slow speeds.
The Last Frame by Adnan, on Flickr

I like the idea of the gf670 but am unsure about its longevity. I,ve heard from a few that with extensive use the lens can get out of alignment with the film plane. Any issues w yours?
My one Fuji is a gw690iii and that thing is super rugged. some kid ran his head into mine and the camera is completely fine, while his head was not.

 

[Chubberino]

I adore my GW690III. But I will say, that I still sometimes look at other models but really that 6x9 negative is a beast and resolves amazingly.

 

[f16sunshine]

I like the idea of the gf670 but am unsure about its longevity. I,ve heard from a few that with extensive use the lens can get out of alignment with the film plane. Any issues w yours?
My one Fuji is a gw690iii and that thing is super rugged. some kid ran his head into mine and the camera is completely fine, while his head was not.

I've only owned the GF for a couple years. It's seems pretty durable although I do understand the concern.
It's a great camera. If it ever wore out I would still be happy to have had it.
The GW 690iii is a beast. It' definitely more robust.

 

[Huss]

I adore my GW690III. But I will say, that I still sometimes look at other models but really that 6x9 negative is a beast and resolves amazingly.

Agreed. It looks like you cropped that 6x9 image to 6x7.
But that is the beauty of the GW690, it is three cameras in one! As 6x9 contains 6x7 and 6x6! I even use mine as a pano camera as there is so much film space to play with.
Really makes you realize what a deal a GW690 is at $400+-

 

[Huss]

I've only owned the GF for a couple years. It's seems pretty durable although I do understand the concern.
It's a great camera. If it ever wore out I would still be happy to have had it.
The GW 690iii is a beast. It' definitely more robust.

Thanks Andy, anything someone should look out for?

 

[Chubberino]

Agreed. It looks like you cropped that 6x9 image to 6x7.
But that is the beauty of the GW690, it is three cameras in one! As 6x9 contains 6x7 and 6x6! I even use mine as a pano camera as there is so much film space to play with.
Really makes you realize what a deal a GW690 is at $400+-

Thanks. You know I'm really new to this (film and MF film photography) so I didn't catch the size issue, and I've now realized that the shop I went with to have my film developed and scanned has provided these scans as cropped. So now I have to go back to them and see what the issue is. Man, they've screwed up all three orders I've given them in one way or another ( Three times) so I'm not going back to them at all. :bang:

 

[Spanik]

Thanks. You know I'm really new to this (film and MF film photography) so I didn't catch the size issue, and I've now realized that the shop I went with to have my film developed and scanned has provided these scans as cropped. So now I have to go back to them and see what the issue is. Man, they've screwed up all three orders I've given them in one way or another ( Three times) so I'm not going back to them at all. :bang:

Don't be too hard on them, they are very likely limited to what the machines can do. Aka it are not really separate scans.

 

[Huss]

Don't be too hard on them, they are very likely limited to what the machines can do. Aka it are not really separate scans.

Disagree. Even the worst place I've sent film to - thedarkroom - did not crop my 6x9 scans. 6x9 image is the exact same ratio as 35mm, so there is no mystery here.
You pay good money for this stuff so should expect correct results.

I recommend northcoastphoto.com, or thefindlab.com

 

[Chubberino]

Disagree. Even the worst place I've sent film to - thedarkroom - did not crop my 6x9 scans. 6x9 image is the exact same ratio as 35mm, so there is no mystery here.
You pay good money for this stuff so should expect correct results.

I recommend northcoastphoto.com, or thefindlab.com

I know, right? Yeah I don't pay them to cut literal corners. I'll be having a chat with them. Just too bad as all three orders with them have had major issues and this last batch I spent a lot with them for processing and scanning so I'm definitely done with them because they can't get this stuff right. Nevermind that this last order has been in their possession for almost three weeks now.

If anything this just pushes me to get my own scanner. So at least that is a bonus to this debacle.

 

[f16sunshine]

Thanks Andy, anything someone should look out for?

The black ones 😀
I just like the black ones better.
Always "park" the lens at infinity prior to closing it.
If you're looking at a used one just check out that lens area. Everything on should be nice and smooth and tight.
There is no play in a healthy one.
You'll love it Huss.... I highly recommend trying one.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Years ago I had a Fuji G690BL and it was fantastic. I had a host of lenses and I'm not sure why I sold the kit, really. I probably needed the money.
Back in 2013 I bought a Mamiya 6MF with 50mm, 75mm and 150mm lenses. I thought I was set...
...until I didn't want to change lenses. So, just like when I was shooting with Leica or Nikon RFs, I found another Mamiya 6 to dedicate to the 50mm (got it here from a fellow RFF member, actually) and couldn't be happier. Just last week I bought the close-up adapter for the 75mm lens and with the 35mm panoramic adapter for the 6MF, I have everything for the system I could, not that I'll really use that 35mm adapter. I'd rather crop in from the 6x6.
Anyways, the Mamiya 6 system is at least as good as the Fuji. If the Mamiya 7 is close, then I'd say the same for it as well. Just find the camera that suits you best and go shoot.

Phil Forrest

 

[Nokton48]

So cool. Much respect to hacking lenses and getting things working on your own! I've heard great things about the GX680 lenses. Considering how great the large format lenses from Fuji are, it's no surprise. The EBC coating is mucho underrated.

Thanks! I'm having quite a bit of fun out in the workshop. Sometimes I break things! I just buy another one and go on. The GX680 lenses are not in the same category as what I already have, which is a lot of classic German lenses from the '50s '60s '70s and a few '80s.

It will be fun to discover the differences in all of these.

Keep experimenting with your stuff! Also So Cool.

 

[Texsport]

Lots of great cameras discussed, but a few I've found to be exceptional:

Interchangeable lens Fujica 690 with 100AE lens and Auto Up attachment for the closest focus, narrowest depth-of-field in MF photography, and fast shooting with AE, for portraits.

Fujica 65 and 50mm lenses are great landscape choices.

The 150 and 180mm Fujica lenses don't have much use for me.

Others combinations of note - Early Rettrick and Warner 6X6 cameras with mirror lock up, combined with 80/2 lens for portraits.

Mamaya 67 with 47mm lens for landscapes.

Texsport

 

[JChrome]

Lots of great cameras discussed, but a few I've found to be exceptional:



Interchangeable lens Fujica 690 with 100AE lens and Auto Up attachment for the closest focus, narrowest depth-of-field in MF photography, and fast shooting with AE, for portraits.



Fujica 65 and 50mm lenses are great landscape choices.



The 150 and 180mm Fujica lenses don't have much use for me

I've been on the look out for the auto-up attachment for some time but they seem pretty rare. Could you share some shots with it?

The 150 is great but heavy and the minimum focus is 7 ft.



www.stillthrill.com

 

[papo]

Whats a good counter number? I know you can manipulate it but lets not assume that the seller manipulated the counter, for the sake of agrument, whats a decent counter number?

 

[sevo]

Whats a good counter number? I know you can manipulate it but lets not assume that the seller manipulated the counter, for the sake of agrument, whats a decent counter number?

A unused camera obviously will have a (genuine) counter close to zero. But it seems to be fairly irrelevant - the counter appears to have been part of some Fuji sales scheme in Japan (where these cameras were used by bus tour operators rather than pro photographers, and where 500 rolls may have meant a fairly long time of relatively rough outdoor use). At any rate, there is no other medium format camera with Seiko Copal shutters where the manufacturer suggested that the shutter needed servicing at intervals even remotely as short as every 5000 exposures - which is not all that much, going through 25 or even 50 films a day in a studio is no particular feat. No pro would have bought gear that was supposed to spend half its time in service.

 

[rulnacco]

There are loads of people on here with much more experience in this field than I have. But I'll pitch in my two cents, for what it's worth.

I used to own a Fuji GW690II. It definitely made awesome photos, but it was a bit big, heavy and cumbersome for my tastes. But the thing that really kinda turned me off is that it sounded almost dropping a manhole cover whenever you fired it. I eventually traded it (and some cash) in on my first Leica (an M3) and a lens, and I fell in love with that silent, unobtrusive, pocketable little beauty (and shot a lot more film), despite the smaller negative size.

Also, while I do frequently use the 50 on my Leica (I'm really more of a 35 kind of guy), for some reason the "normal" focal length at the 6x9 format just seemed not interesting enough to me. I did like the camera--and the stunning image quality--well enough that when I have a little extra cash lying around some day, I'm going to seek out and try a GSW690III, as it's reputed to be quieter, it is lighter, the lens is almost universally hailed as a stunner (I've heard people say it's *too* sharp and technical), and I think the wider angle of view would suit me better for a one-lens camera. (I'm not into landscapes, I would like a camera I could use for walking around and carry in a small bag, and I'd use it more for street photography; if that's your style, the Fuji would be an excellent and efficient choice--if you're wanting interchangeable lenses, of course it's a no goer.)

So, just one further data point for your consideration.

 

[Nokton48]

DSC05598 by Nokton48, on Flickr

DSC05602 by Nokton48, on Flickr

^^^ Fuji GX680 '90s vintage electronic lenses hacked to '60s vintage mechanical Plaubel makiflexes. 125mm f5.6, 135mm f5.6, 150mm f5.6, 180mm f5.6, and 250mm F5.6

It takes me about half an hour to break, bend, saw, bust, and toss a Fuji GX680 lens, to get to the intact front and rear cells.

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

I like the idea of the gf670 but am unsure about its longevity. I,ve heard from a few that with extensive use the lens can get out of alignment with the film plane. Any issues w yours?
My one Fuji is a gw690iii and that thing is super rugged. some kid ran his head into mine and the camera is completely fine, while his head was not.

I've had my GF670 for 3 years now and this has always been a concern of mine. I've shot hundreds or rolls through it, and it is still sharp and accurate. I recently picked up the wide, which is just as awesome, if not more so. I'd suggest them to everyone and anyone. Absolutely love them.