Fuji GF670W - Vapourware?

[Leigh Youdale]

Since the announcement and showing of a single prototype at Photokina in September there has been no information at all coming out of Fuji about this camera. Everything else seems to be RFF speculation,

I can understand that they might well be focused on getting the X100 to market first, but with NO information at all on the GF670W I'm beginning to wonder if the announcement wasn't just a 'tease' to see what sort of response they got and the sample shown was just a good mock-up.

Maybe we're not going to see any new film cameras at all from Fuji. That would be consistent with them dropping Neopan 400. The 667/Bessa III might have been the last of the line (regardless of where they're actually made).

 

[pgeobc]

Leigh, perhaps your location has something to do with the problem. In the U.S. the GF670 is a reality--I have one.

 

[kzphoto]

pgeobc: I think he means the GF670W -- The version with a wide lens (65mm f/5.6?)

 

[tlitody]

http://www.fujifilm.com/photokina2010/pdf/release/gf670w_e.pdf

 

[Leigh Youdale]

pgeobc: I think he means the GF670W -- The version with a wide lens (65mm f/5.6?)

I do. I have used the other one. Lens is listed as f4.5/55 in spec sheet.

 

[twopointeight]

It'll be available in Tokyo this May or June. That was said last week by a Fuji exec in conversation with a photgrapher during a business meeting.

 

[kuzano]

Much shorter rumor to reality time than the folder

Much shorter rumor to reality time than the folder

Clearly some people have forgotten how long we waited for the original GF670/667 to come to market after the first rumors hit and began to solidify.

I don't doubt that the new NOT folder fixed lens 120 film camera, with the 55mm lens will come about in mid year, and if so, will be a far shorter period of time between first mention and entry into the market.

Patience please.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

It'll be available in Tokyo this May or June. That was said last week by a Fuji exec in conversation with a photgrapher during a business meeting.

Well at least that's positive! I can understand the timing when they're trying to get the X100 to market first.

 

[jonmanjiro]

only a matter of time. i recently saw a GF670W in the hands of a well known photographer/gear reviewer here in japan, but at the time it didn't even occur to me that the camera was not yet available in the shops.

 

[pgeobc]

>I think he means the GF670W <

Well, thank you, KZ. I wondered about that, but had not seen any references to another version. Drat! Now I will have to buy another camera ;-)

I am somewhat vision compromised and the nice, bright rangefinder-type viewfinder is a winner.

 

[kzphoto]

After handling a GS690 III and a G645i I think the GF670/GF670w might be the camera for me. I love shooting squares! 6x9 is just too large and 6x4.5 feels odd with it's vertical format.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Unable to find any hard information on whether it will be manufactured, price or even when it might become available (other than a suggestion it might be after June if it comes at all) I've spent the money on a Rolleiflex WA instead.

 

[CameraQuest]

Unable to find any hard information on whether it will be manufactured, price or even when it might become available (other than a suggestion it might be after June if it comes at all) I've spent the money on a Rolleiflex WA instead.

Fuji and Voigtlander produce cameras to their own schedule.

I have no reason not to believe the wide folder will be available later this year.

Stephen

 

[daniel~]

Actually it's coming very soon! GF670W will be available from 2011/03/23, according to Fujifilm's latest anouncement.
There are more product pics in this page.
Its price hasn't been revealed so far, but surely out of my league, anyway...

 

[tlitody]

great. I have far more interest in this camera than that other imminent fuji.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I find this extraordinary. It's like the right hand in Fuji doesn't know what the left hand is doing. All the advance publicity and "teasers" for the X100 and absolutely zip about the GF670W, including the major dealers, until suddenly it's announced as a month away!
Given the way it's been handled it looks like Fuji is only concerning itself with the domestic Japanese market for this camera but pulling out all the stops for an international marketing effort for the digital X100. I wonder if there will be an announcement from Cosina about a Voigtlander wide version before too long - or has the Bessa III experience been a disappointment to them? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[tlitody]

I find this extraordinary. It's like the right hand in Fuji doesn't know what the left hand is doing. All the advance publicity and "teasers" for the X100 and absolutely zip about the GF670W, including the major dealers, until suddenly it's announced as a month away!
Given the way it's been handled it looks like Fuji is only concerning itself with the domestic Japanese market for this camera but pulling out all the stops for an international marketing effort for the digital X100. I wonder if there will be an announcement from Cosina about a Voigtlander wide version before too long - or has the Bessa III experience been a disappointment to them? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I think most of the hype for the xnnn has been happening here at RFF because more people are interested in a small digital RF type camera and not a MF film one. A few of us were more interested in this one but haven't over hyped it.

 

[Matus]

I somehow thought that the camera is on the market already. I guess the price will be comparable to the GF670 one.

 

[sevo]

Given the way it's been handled it looks like Fuji is only concerning itself with the domestic Japanese market for this camera but pulling out all the stops for an international marketing effort for the digital

I would not be surprised if medium format rangefinders were products of a strictly domestic department within Fuji - at any rate, they never made any conscious effort at marketing them elsewhere. The G/GW series already was only partially and reluctantly marketed abroad, and the GF670 even was contractually restricted to domestic only for its first year.

 

[dogbunny]

I have seen one of these for sale on ebay. Has anyone had a chance to use one?