Fuji GX680 opinions/insights

[jgrainger]

Every now and then I consider optimising my gear and slimming it down.. Fancy having one camera for 4x5 and 5x7, along with probably something MF (presently have a Koni Omega folder), and will probably keep the Contax RF and maybe Nikkormat.

I wondered how the Fuji GX680 is likely to compare to some aspects of my other cameras and get an idea whether it's something I'd be likely to take to. It would be good to have an efficient and good MF camera which has some view camera features.

How would the lenses compare to the Koni Omega? - I know the answer is probably "great" but great lenses are usually different flavours.

I gather it's an SLR, does the mirror pose any problems or compromises by the standards a RF shooter would be used to, in use, beyond retro focus lens designs (I've only used an OM-1, F4, Nikkormat FTn, some leaf shuttered models, and a couple of Praktica/Zenit 35mm SLR models)? I carry a tripod but can it be used hand-held?

The GX680 is big, how's it compare to a 4x5 for a 2-3 lens landscape kit - for a walk about?

Will they last / be reliable?

The idea of being able to get a large negative with movements, bellows, and some SLR/modern convenience and reliability is appealing.. I can't see many other nice ways to get movements and convenience - something like a Super Graflex would have interchangeable rangefinder cams which don't allow focusing with movements, and other MF tilt options seem to be specialist lenses on bodies/formats I'm not really swayed by.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Ever held a RB67? Look at this. It's about the same size as a 4x5 kit with a few lenses. You will need a large backpack to carry it around, and a tripod to use it comfortably. There is no point in using movements if it's not on a tripod, really. So basically you're not really gaining anything over a large format camera, except speed, which...for this kind of photography...you probably don't need a fast-shooting tripod-based landscape camera, do you?

The GX680 uses rechargeable batteries, which are all pretty old at this point. You could also get AA-battery adapters for the later cameras, and I think these worked on all three versions. If the electronics in the camera eventually die, then you're left with a bunch of excellent lenses you can only use on another GX680. I think a proper 4x5 camera like a Linhof Technika is a much better choice long term.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

The comparison with an RB67 is a great starter.... Also a the Fuji GX 680 body weighs approximately 4 kilos. A Chamonix 4x5, circa 1.5 kilos.

 

[Nokton48]

The GX680 lenses are cutting edge and I transplanted them onto a focal plate Plaubel Makiflex set of cameras I own. Great to have old classic lenses and cutting edge 90s glass as well for different "looks"

The 115mm 125mm 180mm F3.2 Triad is particularly sharp some say too sharp. I don't agree 🙂

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/plaubel-makiflex-standard.69178/

Plaubel Makiflex Ongoing Thread Here

 

[rlouzan]

https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/veriwide.htm

http://www.silvestricamera.com/index.html

https://www.arca-shop.de/en/cameras/

https://www.cambo.com/en/wide-rs-series/

 

[jgrainger]

Thank you for your replies, it wasn't exactly what I expected..

Figured people would be saying it's a little-known great.. but that's not quite the impression - it sounds like some people have a similar relationship with the 680 as I do with my current car (great on paper but does nothing for me, and is expensive to fix).

The weight doesn't really sound like an issue.. evidently I could probably save my back by buying a modern 4x5 - my own LF is around 3-4kg plus lenses etc.

The Makiflex (and pecoflex) mentioned by Nokton48 is appealing.. I had considered a Graflex some time ago, they're a bit rare and particularly massive.. I guess one could be modded for some movements.

 

[davethesnapper]

I had a Gx680 mk3 for a while and regularly took it out to shoot landscapes.

It's big. having said that I could fit a camera 2 backs a prism 3 lenses into a backpack with a all the film and filters etc. What the camera has in bulk and weight is offset by the convenience of roll film as dark slides take up a lot of space. I tend to find if you buy a backpack and fill it with kit of any format they kind of end up the same weight anyway.

Lenses are great I had a 50mm, 65mm 100mm and 180mm the mk3 used 123a battery's the mk1 and 2's had nicads which will need to be re-celled

I liked it as a system I originally bought it for a digital back platform which it was particularly good at.

hope this helps Dave