Fuji GW690: new to me soon; accessories?

[Pherdinand]

after your refund, the price is a steal! I think i payed 500 bucks for mine (here on rff), a II version, and i did never regret it. It's really quite something, and 6x9 slides are impressive.

 

[JChrome]

The counter is easily accessed. Remove the screws holding the bottom plate. Then a couple of more screwws to get the counter out. You can then roll it to whatever number you want.

If you put the camera back together without the counter mechanism in place, the camera works fine. And the PING noise is still there. I think there is a spring-loaded rod between the shutter release button and the shutter itself. Pushing the shutter release basically unlatches the spring-loaded rod that then fires the shutter.

Given the noise, if there was a simple solution that didn't disable the camera, it would be common knowledge.

Enjoy the camera. I wouldn't worry about the counter one way or another.

Too bad! I've scoured the web looking for a way to disable that noise... I'm going to dig deep into that camera to find out!

I think many people who used the G/BL/GL series loved the whisper quiet shutter and thought the addition of the counter in the GW was what caused the pinging noise.

It may also have to do with the different shutter that was implemented on the Mark i GW690. A certain number of shutters were made with the "B" setting but I've read that due to issues with it, they changed it to a "T" setting (regrettably not very useable).

 

[sevo]

I think many people who used the G/BL/GL series loved the whisper quiet shutter and thought the addition of the counter in the GW was what caused the pinging noise.

It is caused by the plunger that actuates the counter. I've had first person reports from people that (had) removed the plunger rod and spring, silencing the camera - but it takes more than just removing the counter display.

 

[Dan Daniel]

It is caused by the plunger that actuates the counter. I've had first person reports from people that (had) removed the plunger rod and spring, silencing the camera - but it takes more than just removing the counter display.

Interesting. I've disabled the plunger and the noise was still there, but I may have missed the real source of the noise in this mechanism. Dang, it'll be great if it is the counter plunger only. I have some digging to do on my parts body. Must admit, I stopped using a GS690 because of that noise.

 

[Curt]

The lens hood logic is certainly evident. If the III has a built in one then the use of one, suggested by Fuji, is not unintentional.

I called B&H about getting a used hood and they told me to contact Fuji. Since I'm short on time before my trip I'll have to get a generic hood and shoot a test roll to see if it vignettes. Does anyone know if the original hood was square or rectangular?

 

[JChrome]

It is caused by the plunger that actuates the counter. I've had first person reports from people that (had) removed the plunger rod and spring, silencing the camera - but it takes more than just removing the counter display.

Do you or anyone have instructions for this? Can you provide?

If not I may just start digging in there and make my own.

 

[Curt]

No instructions but it is very intuitive.

 

[DCB]

I am looking to "silence" my GW670 as well. The counter make no noise. It is indeed in the plunger mechanism.
Here is a ebay link that shows the front panel for the body.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350347560399?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
You can see the plunger but not sure what would need to be done.

I would love to know how to do it.

Thanks

Peace

 

[Dante_Stella]

The original hood is square, attaches with a thumbscrew, and I believe it says Fujifilm and ø69 on it. I would skip it. They are not cheap, and they just get knocked off.

I am not sure I understand what the kerfuffle is about the counter. The Seiko shutters in those cameras are pretty much indestructible. But the counter itself is pointless. Fuji USA would never hesitate to tell you that there is no service interval. All it has done is make noise and invite fraud.

I would skip teeny tiny meters with this camera. Get a Sekonic L-358 and be done with it.

Dante

 

[kuzano]

Concur on the shutter counter.....

Concur on the shutter counter.....

The original hood is square, attaches with a thumbscrew, and I believe it says Fujifilm and ø69 on it. I would skip it. They are not cheap, and they just get knocked off.

I am not sure I understand what the kerfuffle is about the counter. The Seiko shutters in those cameras are pretty much indestructible. But the counter itself is pointless. Fuji USA would never hesitate to tell you that there is no service interval. All it has done is make noise and invite fraud.

I would skip teeny tiny meters with this camera. Get a Sekonic L-358 and be done with it.

Dante

Both Frank Marshman and Fujifilm USA have told me more than once that the shutter counter is a ridiculous addon. While the manuals indicate a shutter check interval of 5000, discussions with both Frank and Fuji support indicate that such a service interval is ridiculous. Shoot em until you have a problem.

I had a Fujifilm GA645Zi, that I sold still shooting strong, with 254,000 shutter count.

Since I am so cheap and do not favor pristine camera's (I love a well brassed and heavily used example) most of the big rangefinders I have purchased in the GW range often have well over 5000 actuations.

I have never had a shutter problem with any Fuji owned.

 

[JChrome]

This thread inspired me to remove the plunger. But I need some help.

I input the question as a new thread (didn't want to hijack this one).

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2394244#post2394244

EDIT - I basically came to the conclusion that this is impossible due to the ping being in the winder assembly.

 

[V-12]

EDIT - I basically came to the conclusion that this is impossible due to the ping being in the winder assembly.

I have yet to hear a 'ping' with either my GW 690III or GSW 690. Is there any sort of amplification I need to make it operate?

V

 

[Addy101]

It's only loud when you're used to a Leica shutter, not for us mortals 😉

 

[DamenS]

It's not so much that it is loud (though I certainly think it is loud), but more that it is an ugly metallic "springing" sound which seems to resonate for a while - it grates a little.

 

[JChrome]

I have yet to hear a 'ping' with either my GW 690III or GSW 690. Is there any sort of amplification I need to make it operate?

V

Anyway you could take a video and put it on youtube?

Other people have called it a "thwang" but many call it a "ping".

You can basically hear this odd noise when activating the shutter.

Here's the link to the video I took where you can hear it. Turn up the volume and then you can hear the "ping" and then the "hum" of the springs still vibrating.

 

[V-12]

I'm probably trying to hear something unique and distinctive to the 690, but to be honest these types of Copal leaf shutter in large format make such a variety of noise from 'ping whirr' , 'clunk clack', to almost silent 'whirrs' that I may be immune. A Copal 3 can wake the dead, while an 00 is usually so quiet you need to listen hard and watch the shutter cocking lever to know if the shutter has tripped.

V

 

[JChrome]

I'm probably trying to hear something unique and distinctive to the 690, but to be honest these types of Copal leaf shutter in large format make such a variety of noise from 'ping whirr' , 'clunk clack', to almost silent 'whirrs' that I may be immune. A Copal 3 can wake the dead, while an 00 is usually so quiet you need to listen hard and watch the shutter cocking lever to know if the shutter has tripped. V

It's not in the shutter, it's the winder assembly. Check the other thread linked above which shows this in the video. The winder assembly is making all the noise here.