Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

Colorado CJ

Colorado CJ

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I've been wanting one of these for many years. I finally won one on eBay for a price I was willing to spend, and it is in excellent condition, where any are pretty worn looking.

So, what is it? It's a Fuji G690 BL medium format rangefinder. It's been known as a Texas Leica because it's HUGE (nearly 5 lbs), almost cartoon size and its similarity to a Leica M3. It takes 6cm x 9cm medium format negatives.

Here's a shot of it next to my Canon L2 Rangefinder


Fuji G690 BL by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

I also ran a test roll through it yesterday to make sure everything was working. It seems to work at all sped and the rangefinder is spot on. These are nothing special, just some shots from around my shop. Because of the very large negative, I only get 8 shots per roll.


G690BL Test 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


G690BL Test 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


G690BL Test 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


G690BL Test 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Since this is very similar to an M3, handling and using it is very easy. It is the fastest medium format camera I've ever used, just what I wanted! I'll probably be taking it up into the high country tomorrow for some hiking and photography.
 
Personally, I think you made the correct choice. I have a Mamiya Super 23 which is bigger, but I also get 6x9. The 23 is bulky as well as heavy at least yours is easy enough to haul around, around your neck. The jump in quality is so astounding when you go to 6x9 you never want to take an important image with a 35mm.
 
You will love it. It's half of a 4x5. Some of my best images are from the 90
and 65. Prints 20x24 like a dream. Good Luck.
Lynn
 
Congratulations. I've owned & used a bunch of them. I just picked up a GW680 which is my favourite aspect ratio of those cameras. You're absolutely right, that in the darkroom that large real estate negative is a charm.
 
It is a great camera. I have used such a camera for many years to get sharp 16x24 prints. The 100mm lens is sharper than what I have in my Rolleiflex TLR cameras. I used them side by side in the field.
 
narsuitus said:
Congratulations on your Texas Leica.

Last weekend, I was using one to shoot a group of people. No one even noticed its large size. Instead, they noticed it when I wound the film and expressed shock that it was a film camera instead of a digital.
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That's a nice looking set you got there! That triggered a question I have for a long time, when come to the negatives dimension, I get 6x6, and 6x9, but when come to 6x7 I don't seems to grasp the utility of it, perhaps if you crop you get a bit more room to play with? What in general do you use the 6x7 for may I ask?
 
funny thread, earlier today while driving I've been thinking of selling my 4x5 kit and going with the Texas Leica as it will be easier to carry around and can take 8 exposures in one roll.
I had a GSW690iii before going 4x5 but now I'm thinking of the GW690 as I prefer a med-tele lens.
 
newfilm said:
What in general do you use the 6x7 for may I ask?
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I liked the 6x9cm because it has the same aspect ratio as my 35mm small format film camera.

I primarily use the 6x9 and its wide-angle lens for landscapes and large group shots.


I like the 6x7cm because it is close to the aspect ratio as my 4x5 and 8x10 inch large format film cameras.

I primarily use the 6x7 and its normal lens for weddings and general shooting.
 
Nice, I've had two, along with the younger brother gw. Very easy to clean the finder if you ever come across the hazy one. Sold every one due to poor economy lol
 
I found the lens of fuji 6x7 a tad softish (i bought the camera new in 2000 from robert white in england) and i sold the camera in 2006! maybe a bad sample because i saw samples that are good. I also have the autofocus 645 with the 60mm, and that lens is amazing! For 6x9 i prefer my mamiya universal though... more of a moroccan leica with lenses from 20 to 135mm ...
 
Scapevision said:
Nice, I've had two, along with the younger brother gw. Very easy to clean the finder if you ever come across the hazy one. Sold every one due to poor economy lol
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Sad to hear, I saw you had some solid results with them! I have to agree that depending on the pace, 8 exp 120 means not only few exposures, but also expensive.
Anyhow, one can think of it as a small portable quasi-LF camera.

ruilourosa said:
I found the lens of fuji 6x7 a tad softish (i bought the camera new in 2000 from robert white in england) and i sold the camera in 2006! maybe a bad sample because i saw samples that are good. I also have the autofocus 645 with the 60mm, and that lens is amazing! For 6x9 i prefer my mamiya universal though... more of a moroccan leica with lenses from 20 to 135mm ...
Click to expand...
I think the GA645 is a great complementary camera, given its convenience and half frame.
The Fujinon 90mm is solid but perhaps not as crazy sharp as the Mamiya 7 glass. Anyways, that comparison is unfair given that you can get a 3 piece Fuji kit for a Mamiya 7 rate.
The 65mm is reported to be fantastic however. 90mm (38-40mm EQ) is wide enough to me and faster also.
100mm of the interchangeable Fujis is a king of tessars.
 
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