Fuji GF670 back in (limited) production

[CK Dexter Haven]

http://uncrate.com/article/fujifilm-gf670-rangefinder-camera/

Oh.... In another thread, folks are saying fuji just "found" some old stock.... And the article doesn't actually say they're producing them again. I guess i misread it:

"making a limited return engagement"

 

[xyz3450]

Thanks for the alert.....
B&H has it back-ordered and expected at the start of Feb 2017 for a shade under $2000

 

[f16sunshine]

That's pretty cool. I wonder if they are saving some parts for service and repair? Hope so!

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

The camera started at 1799, now it is at 1999. I wonder if this is a "test the waters" type thing to see if it is viable to make another limited run. I find it hard to believe they just lost and then found some in a warehouse.

 

[Huss]

I wonder how they are going to handle warranty issues. I don't think Fuji USA touches their film cameras anymore.

 

[Archlich]

I heard from a friend, who claimed having talked to a Fuji executive, that for the GF670W a single production run of less than 3,000 cameras was made. Once the stock was drained they subsequently discontinued the line.

Sounds sketchy, but I feel the calculated, limited production runs has a grain of reality in it. It could also explain the hefty price tag.

The production of the GF670 might be similarly laid out.

 

[henryp]

I wonder how they are going to handle warranty issues. I don't think Fuji USA touches their film cameras anymore.

Fuji USA says these have a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

 

[zuiko85]

I would love to see a manufacture's warranty cover not 1 year but 1 year of use.
In other words, if you buy a camera the warranty starts the day after you get the camera in hand. If a warranty failure happens and the camera is out of your hands for say, 3 months, including shipping time from and to customer, then the warranty is extended however much time of use was lost to the customer.

Just a random thought.

 

[DFigueira]

If I was rich, that's one sexy camera I would buy... and that viewfinder 🙁

Too bad there isn't any cheap direct alternative 😛

 

[taomei]

I really don't understand how this 'fire sale' within the course of a day saw the camera rise from 1699 to 1999 in the span of a few hours. All while being 'back-ordered' and accepting pre-payment. Sounded fishy.

 

[Wongallo]

Fuji USA says these have a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

I hope this is true. Who will do the service? I have a GF670 and I contacted Southern Photo Technical Service--an authorized Fuji repair center, about servicing the camera. This was their reply: "Sorry, we do not service that model due to spare parts issues."

I also contacted FujiFilm headquarters in Tokyo and received this reply:
"Thank you for contacting FujiFilm. Unfortunately, we no longer repair film format cameras. We recommend searching the internet for local repair shops in your area."

So who exactly services these cameras? Anyone know? I have a couple of issues with mine.

 

[taomei]

I've heard some people express luck last year with Cosina / Zeiss in Japan if they have a service center there.

 

[Huss]

Fuji USA says these have a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

I hope this is true. Who will do the service? I have a GF670 and I contacted Southern Photo Technical Service--an authorized Fuji repair center, about servicing the camera. This was their reply: "Sorry, we do not service that model due to spare parts issues."

I also contacted FujiFilm headquarters in Tokyo and received this reply:
"Thank you for contacting FujiFilm. Unfortunately, we no longer repair film format cameras. We recommend searching the internet for local repair shops in your area."

So who exactly services these cameras? Anyone know? I have a couple of issues with mine.

Exactly. A warranty is useless if Fuji does not stand by it. And seeing they no longer service/repair existing cameras of the same model, what's the deal with this warranty on new GF670s?

 

[jonmanjiro]

I also contacted FujiFilm headquarters in Tokyo and received this reply:

"Thank you for contacting FujiFilm. Unfortunately, we no longer repair film format cameras. We recommend searching the internet for local repair shops in your area."

http://fujifilm.jp/support/filmandcamera/repairservice/index.html

According to their Japanese language website, Fujifilm still repairs some film camera models. Listed on their website as still repairable are the Clear Shot M, Natura Classica White, Natura Classica N, Klasse W, Klasse S, and Klasse W black (link here). For medium format cameras, the website states you need to contact a service center for details, but since companies in Japan are required by law to support products for eight years after discontinuation, the GF670 should still be covered.

Fujifilm is a big organization and its quite possible that whoever you spoke with didn't know the actual situation regarding Fujfilm film cameras or didn't want to deal with the language barrier (assuming you spoke with them in English).

 

[Huss]

I think it would be helpful if Mr Posner (B&H) could let us know where warranty work will be conducted. Fuji USA apparently does not work on film cameras anymore. So would the owner have to ship it to Japan? And how would that approval process go? Or would they return it to B&H who would take care of the logistics?

I ask because I know of a few people that had battery drain issues from the get go. (a rare occurrence to be sure) But that was back in the day when Fuji USA handled it.

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

I ask because I know of a few people that had battery drain issues from the get go. (a rare occurrence to be sure) But that was back in the day when Fuji USA handled it.

Well, that is a relief, just in the sense that I now know other people have this same issue. In the warmer months, it is fine, usually, but in the cold, I'll put a battery in and shoot for a day, and the next time I use my camera it is totally dead.

My gf670w, though, is fine with batteries.

 

[BrooklyNYC]

I wanted a Fuji GF670 a few years ago, but I don't know if i'll buy any new film cameras anytime soon. I use my film rangefinders often, but wouldn't want to carry anything heavier.

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

The gf670 is a very light camera. Come to a film in baltimore meetup (just 3 simple hours from brooklyn) and you're welcome to try mine out

 

[Wongallo]

http://fujifilm.jp/support/filmandca...ice/index.html

According to their Japanese language website, Fujifilm still repairs some film camera models. Listed on their website as still repairable are the Clear Shot M, Natura Classica White, Natura Classica N, Klasse W, Klasse S, and Klasse W black (link here). For medium format cameras, the website states you need to contact a service center for details, but since companies in Japan are required by law to support products for eight years after discontinuation, the GF670 should still be covered.

Fujifilm is a big organization and its quite possible that whoever you spoke with didn't know the actual situation regarding Fujfilm film cameras or didn't want to deal with the language barrier (assuming you spoke with them in English).

Thank you for this information. I used their "contact us" form, and you are probably right about the response I received.

I suppose I will have to find a service center in Japan that will work on my camera. I will have to figure this out. These are really terrific cameras. But clearly, it isn't very straightforward to have them serviced, at least in North America.

 

[Huss]

Price has been raised again. It is now $2199.

It has been raised $300 since originally placed for pre-order.