Fuji gf670w vs gsw690

J

jojoman2

Guest
Anyone have experience with these wide angle fuji rfs?

Fuji gf670 would be smaller, newer, and have a meter built in (not terribly important to me). Price tag is huge though.

the 690 is around 500 bucks.

Suggestions?
 
I owned both the GSW690 II and III and can say the lens is spectacular. The RF is excellent and the camera is a dream to use. Never had any experience with the other.
 
Any difference between the first and second models? I'm less interested in the 3rd for aesthetic reasons.
 
differences between the various models in the viewfinder and rangefinder?
 
From my experience with the GSW690 and GS690, and what I have read about the GF670 cameras- NOISE. The GS cameras make a definite CLACK when the shutter is released. I haven't used or been around a GF series, but I seem to remember reading that they make very little noise on the release of the shutter.

Most changes between the I, II, and III GS cameras were cosmetic. The basic body block and such stayed the same. Some I cameras have a T setting but no B setting; I had a I with a B but not T. I've read that the rangefinder changed between the II and III but since you have no interest in the III I guess that won't be an issue.
 
Yeah I've heard about the notorious "ping" sound. I guess I still have my leica M for stealth. Bottom line: I want a good 28mm 6x9 medium format alternative to 35mm.
 
My GW690 III makes much more of a 'sproing' sound than a 'ping'

The GW/GSW series are heavy duty all mechanical pro cameras with no meters. Built for studio/landscape photography. The GF series are (excellent) all electronic cameras and much more fragile.

The GF will be much nicer to carry (much smaller), the GW/GSW - well you can get two or three of them for one GF.
 
I'm primarily a documentary photographer, so my shots will be handheld 99% of the time. How does the camera hold up in lower light, hand holding at slow shutter speed?
 
I've had the GW, not the GSW, but the main issue with low light is going to be depth of field, the GW went to 3.5 and it was pretty much nothing in focus. GSW is 5.6 so I'm guessing it will be more dof. Speed is not an issue with it.
 
In 6x9 rf w/ 28 fov, the Fuji 690 is the only gave in town, unless u want to go w/ a something like a graflex xl or baby lib of w/ 6x9 back and then getting the 28mm fov lens for it.

Otherwise, u need to decide what is more important to u:
- 6x9 then the 690 or voigtlander Bessa II or Zeiss super ikonta C.
- quiet is definitely not the 690.. While it has a leaf shutter, there is something in the shutter release path that makes a loud noise more like a clink then a ping, better off w/ the
GF670
- if 28 fov is not important, then definitely the Zeiss or voigtlander options
Most of the old 6x9 had left hand shutter release though..

Good luck
Gary
 
I love the 690s. The noise comes from the linkage between the two shutter releases. I've never disconnected mine because hey, you're not sneaking up on anybody with this big box in your face. I've never been crazy about the 6x7 format so that would be out for me.
 
erik said:
I love the 690s. The noise comes from the linkage between the two shutter releases. I've never disconnected mine because hey, you're not sneaking up on anybody with this big box in your face. I've never been crazy about the 6x7 format so that would be out for me.
Click to expand...

By the "two shutter releases" do you mean between the shutter on top and the one on the front of the body?

If anyone wants to understand 'silencing' the GW series, I recommend this thread [SPOILER - you can't]:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144759

I've never shot the GF series. But I must admit I do love the GW series (also never shot the GWS series).

The lens on the GW is superb. The build quality excellent. The weight not so bad. Very ergonomic and comfortable. I want to get another one for sure.

If I had a choice though, I'd prefer the GL with a 100mm lens to the GW with the fixed 90mm. I'm not much of a wide-angle fan.
 
jojoman2 said:
I'm primarily a documentary photographer, so my shots will be handheld 99% of the time. How does the camera hold up in lower light, hand holding at slow shutter speed?
Click to expand...

I used the two that I had for documentary wool too. I shot in serpent handling churches during services and never disturbed anyone. If it were in a totally quiet environment then it would get attention but I never ran into a problem.

With the lens being a 5.6 it's lmited in low light. I used 3200 Ilford and 400 HP5 or fuji Neopan 400 with excellent results.

One thing I can't emphasize enough is how good the lens is. I've owned a number of Fuji view camera lenses plus the two GSW690's and a GS645, GS645S (currently) and G617 and never been disappointed in the optics or construction. These are serious pro cameras of the highest optical and mechanical quality. That said every one of the cameras I've owned make the clack sound when you fire it. I wouldn't let that bother you unless you're shooting in totally quiet environments.

I sold my G617 and GSW690III a few years ago and regretted it. I'm starting on a contineuation of a documentary that I have touring and wanted another wide Fuji. This time I went ser and bought the GS645S because it has a meter and f4 lens. I'm extremely happy with it and feel it's more than adequate for my use. An extra stop is important in some of the places I shoot and a lite grain isn't important.

In the model I & II most of the difference is cosmetics.
 
i owned the GF670 and GSW690III, great cameras and 2 totally different beasts.

first you have to think about the aspec ratio, 670 is 6x7(~4:5) while 690 is 6x9 (~2:3)
although you can also chang the 670 to 6x6.

also the GSW is a fully mechanical camera while the 670 needs a battery to work.
main different between the two is the size, the lens on the 690, no wonder it's called Texas Leica.


ultimately, the question is how wide do you want to go and aspect ratio.
6x7 or 6x6 with 55mm lens or 6x9 with 65mm lens
 
The GFs are Leica quiet fwiw. Great VF, foldabillity = ease of packing. But it will be years before their 2nd hand cost gets down to current GW range.
 
rhl-oregon said:
The GFs are Leica quiet fwiw. Great VF, foldabillity = ease of packing. But it will be years before their 2nd hand cost gets down to current GW range.
Click to expand...

If they ever get down that low. I would doubt it only because I doubt they made the GF series of camera in the same quantity as the 690. The production of the 690 was started in the 1960's and ended in the 90's. I've no idea about the number of years they produced the GF but I think it's probably less than 10 years.

You can pickup any version of the 690 (GW, GWS, GL, BL, G) for very low and this is thanks to the thousands upon thousands that they made.
 
I just received a G690BL a 2 generations before GW/S series, and it's super quiet compared to the GW/S. It is a bit heavier, at 2kg it is still nothing to write home about. So much more recommended if you are looking for a quiet one. Otherwise go GW/S
 
Consider GW680 as well. I had the 690 but sold it and got a 680 instead, since i like the aspect ratio better. I would not hesitate to buy any of the fuji RFs.

Here's a picture i just developed. Rollei Retro 400S
19652344650_46613c95eb_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
EdSawyer said:
GSW690III is the best of the series. (I, II, or III)
Click to expand...
Is it any other differences than the aspect ratio?

Shouldn't the GW670 be the "best" when comes to large apertures? I mean it's the same 90/3.5 lens on all three, isn't it?

Also i prefer the fuji lensed to the mamiya 7 lenses, i like the less contrasty look and i prefer the bokeh on fuji.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom