Fuji GW670II Rangefinder issue?

[eriklilja]

Hi, I just got a very nice looking Fuji GW670II from the auction site, and everything seems in order - except for one thing, maybe. The rangefinder follows the lens movements perfectly and seems to be perfectly aligned, but it stops moving at about 1.5 meter. Turning the focus ring on the lens between 1 and 1.5 meters simply doesn't change the rangefinder or the framelines in the viewfinder. Is this by design or is it an error on this particular camera?

 

[f16sunshine]

Uh oh....That's not normal. The RF should stay coupled through the entire focus range.
There are a ton of these cameras available second hand.
I would say return this one and start again.
Look for a GW670iii... the later the better for condition of the internal lubes and adjustments.
All versions are basically the same camera so your really going mostly for the youngest copy you can.

The 67 version only stayed in my kit for a short time but the 69 I used for years.
The lens on these cameras are fantastic! (the 67 and 69 versions share the same lens).

At some point MS OPtical is going to create away to put this lens in a focus barrel for the Hassie, and Fuji MF digital cameras.
(would be cool yeah?)

 

[wjlapier]

Just checked mine--II version. As Andy said, it should go to 1m.

Monster lens. Is that wishful thinking, or something you read about MS Optical Fujifilm lens.

 

[Prest_400]

Mine would need a teeny horizontal adjustment at infinity. Close distances look accurate but infinity on scale is reached on the IR mark.

IMO it is a great machine, modern lens and nowadays lots of bang for the buck.
Curiously enough I haven't found its schematic around. (90mm version) I saw it on a brouchure but can't find it. IIRC it is a 5 element assymetrical double gauss derivative.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[eriklilja]

Thanks all! It's a pity, it's really a beauty and I've wanted a Fuji 670 for a long time now. And it was a good price... So, either return it or see a repairman for a CLA. What's the probability that it can be adjusted/cleaned, instead of that something is broken and needs to be replaced?

I checked the lens from inside the film chamber and it's easy to see th arm on the lens and the pin that the arm pushes when you approach longer distances. The pin that follows the arm must be spring loaded, and it clearly halts while the lens arm moves further out at approximately 1.2-1.3 m. I would guess that it can be cleaned so I'm leaning towards a CLA...

 

[jonmanjiro]

Fuji GW670II Rangefinder issue?

If it's similar to a Leica M body, there will be a metal bar that acts as a limiter to the focus arm movement. Bending that bar slightly in the correct direction would probably fix it.

I had a similar problem with a Leica MP and it took a tech just a few minutes to fix it.

 

[f16sunshine]

Monster lens. Is that wishful thinking, or something you read about MS Optical Fujifilm lens.

Wishful thinking nothing more.

 

[Archlich]

My user GF670W (not quite the same thing, but...) acted like that too when it came. Easily fixed after visiting a technician.

 

[eriklilja]

Great! I'm gonna hand it to a technician tomorrow, he indicated a turnaround time of one week, let's hope it's that easy!

 

[eriklilja]

Hi again, just to follow up for all of you - I left the camera this morning at a repair shop, and it's already fixed! He removed the top cover and then all worked as it should, probably the hot shoe cables obstructed the movement. I moved the cables, and cleaned + lubed the mechanism just to be sure. Lucky me, I'm really looking forward to try the camera out!

/Erik