fuji porn!

Done Five Fuji GX680 lenses converted to PLaubel Peco Jr by Nokton48, on Flickr

Been working on these five Fuji Gx680 (first I converted them to Plaubel Makiflex Barrel Mount Lenses). When my two Plaubel Peco Junior cameras came in, I decided to convert these lenses, adding modern Seiko Shutters from the Fuji 210mm and 250mm WS series of lenses. All good even the f/stop scales will work good without modifications. These are 90's era cutting edge glass for the Fuji GX680, used for studio and professional use. From left to right, Peco Junior focused at infinity, with 65mm F5.6 GX680. Amazing to look through! Next the 80mm F5.6 GX680, then the 100mm F5.6 GX680, then the 125mm F3.2 Uber Glass. Best of the Best, they also make a F5.6 model. Finally the other Peco Jr, focused at infinity with the 180mm F3.2 GX680. Some portrait photographers say this lens is TOO sharp for portraiture, subjects complain. LOL All these lenses have Beeg image circles, allowing for full use of the Peco Junior's front and back movements. So the best lenses from that era, combined with the tiniest most precise view camera ever made. What a match-up! Can't wait to take out a small bag, small tripod, and try out all this new stuff. In the foreground is the new shorty sawed-off focusing rail, great with the really wide older lenses.
 
On vacation in the snow country of Gunma Prefecture
My travel rig: Fujifilm X100V and a bottle of inexpensive Chilean wine
Regretably this bottle of Merlot is now empty​
DSCF1294.jpg

Image taken with my other travel camera - Fujifilm XF10
Astia Film Simulation
Manza Onsen, Gunma prefecture, Japan - February, 2023
Image resized smaller than original​
 
SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

This all fits in the small Zone VI White Bag, looks like a picnic cooler. Restored Plaubel Peco Junior body with Jim Galvin Glenn Evans Graflex Roll Back modded to Peco Junior. Made to nicely hold Singer Graflex 120/220 Roll Backs. Two RH8 2.25x3.25, two RH10 6x7cm, one 220 RH20. Three Fujinon GX680 lenses modded to Plaubel Junior Boards. From the left, the 125mm F5.6 GX680, then the 50mm F5.6 GX680, then on the right, the 180mm F5.6 GX680. All three lenses work perfectly with the standard length Plaubel Peco Jr Rail. Film loaded is Ilford PanF+, Ilford Delta 100, Shanghai 220 EI 100, Maco ORT25, Ilford FP4+, Ilford HP5+. So this I'll be taking out this spring, on an olde Star-D tripod. The tripod has a shoulder strap for traveling, and the bag is HEAVY but has everything I need plus room for odds and ends. Apertures on the shutters fully correctly marked, and verified through direct measurement of the lens front irises. All now perfect ready for fully testing. Eight 120 test rolls have yielded perfect frames, some outside tests and some studio stuff. Will post photos soon. These lenses are sharp enough for digital medium format. Hmmmmmm
 
GAS indeed!! I've just acquired an as new (or to use a term I basically disapprove of, "minty", something that basically belongs in a tall glass full of ice as part of a julep, not on a camera, ha) Fuji Xpro2. It wasn't cheap, but still within my budget, and with a little cash left over to put to a 56 1.2 I've had my eye on in Indonesia, also as new, hardly used, at a price well below what the Aussies would want for same.

So my search for that elusive Leica CL is now on hold, for the time being. 2025 will see me sell off some Nikon DSLR gear I no longer use, three cameras and as many lenses, to generate cash I can then apply to a lighter and more usable camera. Hello Leica, or maybe a Nikon Zf. Time will tell and we will see.

I will take ownership of my new XPro 2 next week when I return home. So maybe, maybe, one or two photos for this thread. With my lot of lenses and the XE2 as my now backup Fuji camera.

Good you had a minimalist vacation break, Mike. Not sure I care for the shared basic amenities, but I've stayed in similar places in a lot of my SE Asia travel, so it's not a major issue.

So three days away. And a great little minimalist Fuji camera to play with. What's not to like??

BTW I've had that Chilean red before, I think. Basically an okay drop but IRRC, drinking too much of it can put your stomach lining somewhat at risk, never mind the brain cells. Certainly not as dangerous to health as any rough red made in Bali, and I've had those too...
 
Getting There Set of GX680 Lenses Seiko Shutters by Nokton48, on Flickr

Getting there with my set of Fuji GX680 lenses, with Seiko #2 Shutters added. Mounted on Plaubel Peco Junior boards and Minolta SRT cable releases, Yellow Filters on each, and Hoods too. From the left front, the 50mm F5.6, then the 65mm F5.6, then the 80mm F5.6. On the far right front, the 100mm F4. Back Row, from the left, the 125mm F3.2, then the 150mm F5.6. Next the 180mm F3.2, and on the far right, the 210mm F5.6 Also adding the 250mm F5.6, should be tommorrow, got another Seiko Shutter coming. The 50mm front view reminds me of the HAL9000 fisheye in 2001: A Space Odyssey. It looks about the same LOL. The last one I want, that I don't have, is the 115mm F3.2 GX680. I will find one eventually.

Fuji GX680 50mm f5.6 Seiko Shutter by Nokton48, on Flickr

My Plaubel Junior restored with New to me 50mm F5.6 Fuji GX680 lens, purchased broken, at a good discount, from Adorama in NYC. They also included the Gelatin Filter Holder/50mm Hood, it's worth some Dollars so a great deal. The view through the 50mm is AMAZING. Can't wait to shoot some test 6.5x9cm Makina Back Film. EVentually I will buy some type of Digital Medium Format Back. The Peco Junior has a Leica-like smoothness and feel. Plaubel advertised as "The Rolls Royce of Cameras" in the day. Works smoothly and tightly in a Leica-type of way. Also looked through my 4x5" Sinar Normas with this lens. It's amazingly sharp-looking and nice and contrasty view. This will get some use now, rather than becoming an interesting broken ornament. BTW I should mention that I bought the camera for 70 Bucks from Adorama. Another great price. And it included a lens board with a #0 hole. The 50mm f5.6 GX680 takes 105mm filters, so I am glad I have the 4x4" Gelatin Holder and Hood for the GX50, It just covers the outer cell diameter, barely. I have a complete set of Kodak Wratten Gelatin 4x4" B&W Filters, so I am set. The 65mm and 80mm share a hood that also takes 4x4 Gelatins.
 
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