Fujica GM670, is this a good deal?

Dr Gaspar

Dr Gaspar

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I'm being offered a Fujica GM670 with a Fujinon 100mm 1-500s F3,5, for 350$.

I guess this is a good deal, right? Haven't seen this camera on ebay. Camera is in great condition.
 
Haha, thanks Phil. I've heard is pretty heavy.
Just saw that lens on ebay go for 399$. Guess it's a good deal.
 
Its a great price. Recently I paid that amount for just a GM670 body. You are getting the 100/3.5 for free.

Also that 100/3.5 is a 50mm equiv in 6x7. I call this lens the King of the Tessars. Shot wide open and close focusing (1 meter)creates amazing Bokeh.

RF'er is also better IMHO than later MF Fuji's.

Cal
 
Youre lucky! Thats a great price on a great camera. I have a G690BL (6x9 version of the same camera) with the same lens (100mm Fujinon S).
 
GM670... Same body as the GL690....

GM670... Same body as the GL690....

There is no difference in exterior body dimension and camera weight between the two. The lens mount is obviously the same. The only difference is the shorter film mask inside and the film transport to give one more frame per roll.

The price is Very Good, if the camera is also very good. The biggest thing to watch for and usually a problem is the moving cloth dark slide inside for midroll lens changes. It should retract with even tension and snap back smartly after the lens change. A working slide is a plus. The one on my GL690 is a little weak at the very end of the return.

So, there's no real advantage for the GM670 over the GL690 EXCEPT the format and extra neg. Personally I prefer the bigger neg, but many will tell you the 6X7 format is more of a media standard, with many enlargers not capable of the 6X9 forma.

I've considered, since I have three lenses, getting a GM670 to put one lens on, but every time the opportunity comes to plunk down the money, I opt for a 6X9 format.

The last excellent plus GM670 body I found was $375 for the body alone.

The lenses cannot be faulted, but they are not coated with EBC the same as all the fixed lens big rangefinders from Fuji.

The two models ran concurrently. They are Heavy... somewhat more than the fixed lens models which offer better coatings and no dark slide problem--- No Dark Slide period.

The lesser lens coating is a bit less flare resistant, but all Fuji glass is SHARP and contrasty. Impossible to fault the IQ, particularly on the biggest format short of Large Format.
 
kuzano said:
There is no difference in exterior body dimension and camera weight between the two. The lens mount is obviously the same. The only difference is the shorter film mask inside and the film transport to give one more frame per roll.

The price is Very Good, if the camera is also very good. The biggest thing to watch for and usually a problem is the moving cloth dark slide inside for midroll lens changes. It should retract with even tension and snap back smartly after the lens change. A working slide is a plus. The one on my GL690 is a little weak at the very end of the return.

So, there's no real advantage for the GM670 over the GL690 EXCEPT the format and extra neg. Personally I prefer the bigger neg, but many will tell you the 6X7 format is more of a media standard, with many enlargers not capable of the 6X9 forma.

I've considered, since I have three lenses, getting a GM670 to put one lens on, but every time the opportunity comes to plunk down the money, I opt for a 6X9 format.

The last excellent plus GM670 body I found was $375 for the body alone.

The lenses cannot be faulted, but they are not coated with EBC the same as all the fixed lens big rangefinders from Fuji.

The two models ran concurrently. They are Heavy... somewhat more than the fixed lens models which offer better coatings and no dark slide problem--- No Dark Slide period.

The lesser lens coating is a bit less flare resistant, but all Fuji glass is SHARP and contrasty. Impossible to fault the IQ, particularly on the biggest format short of Large Format.
Click to expand...
Thanks kuzano for this information. I might go see the camera this weekend.

I'm sorry to ask you this, but there was something that I didn't understand from what you said, don't worry... it's just because English is not my first language. It's about the "moving cloth dark slide", by this you mean the curtain that protects the lens from the inside?
 
Dr Gaspar said:
It's about the "moving cloth dark slide", by this you mean the curtain that protects the lens from the inside?
Click to expand...

Close, but no cigar. The curtain (essentially the second curtain part of a focal plane shutter) is there to shield the film against exposure while you change lenses...

Sevo
 
Dr Gaspar said:
Thanks kuzano for this information. I might go see the camera this weekend.

I'm sorry to ask you this, but there was something that I didn't understand from what you said, don't worry... it's just because English is not my first language. It's about the "moving cloth dark slide", by this you mean the curtain that protects the lens from the inside?
Click to expand...

As Sevo said, the dark slide I spoke of is to protect the film against the light if you are changing the lens to another focal length while a roll is in the camera. Frankly, I do not test the fates on this. The continued operation of the dark slide is the weak link in the Big Fuji Rangefinders, primarily due to age and diminishes spring tension rewinding the cloth slide.

The dark slides demise won't cripple the camera in any way, and since one is usually only shooting 8 or 9 shots per roll, mid roll lens changes are not all that necessary. I've had plenty of the interchangeable lens Fujica's and found them to be robust and reliable, in spite of non-working dark slides. I simply don't use then, and when I get another Fuji body, I may never know if the dark slide works. I generally don't test it, or find a need for it.

It's much like trying to use self timers on old folders... a much worse problem since self timers have sidelined more old folders than most other problems.

As I mentioned, I will probably never sell my GL690, and you may easily feel the same with the GM670, IF the format suits you.

One thing different about the GL and GM models over the G690 and bl models. The GL/GM bodies have two shutter releases. One on top for standard horizontal use, and one on the front to facilitate holding the camera in a portrait mode.

As some say... simply more to go wrong.... sorry for that rationalization folks, but I've never had a problem with the second shutter release, and it has facilitated easier shutter release when shooting portrait.

Your new GM will be the latest interchangeable lens body sold, and will have the second shutter release.

Good luck and enjoy. I've been using these big heavy Fujicas almost since they were introduced. One thing about Heavy and the in lens shutter. No shake when you push the release. It's a "resistance to inertial change" thing.

I repeat from my first post. You are paying $350 for the body which is fair, and getting a $300 to 400 lens for free.
 
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Does anyone use a soft release shutter button with their 670 or 690?

I've been wondering if they'd work with the big Fujicas.

Texsport
 
Not really much of an issue considering it's a leaf shutter camera. Very little vibration. Hand holding 1/30 is generally fine. Sometimes even 1/15th comes out sharp.
 
Summicron makes a good point...

Summicron makes a good point...

In addition to that, the shutters on the heavy all metal Fujica's are very smooth and the release is almost unnoticeable. In addition to that, both the shutter release buttons on the GL and GM have a cable release socket, which I often use.

And, even though it belies my manhood, I am a staunch advocate of the tripod. In the many years I have shot small, medium and large format, there has always been a monopod or more likely, a tripod under my camera.

I put the mono/tripod in the category of one of the most valuable tools for anyone wanting absolute control over image quality. An additional factor here is that these early Fujica's are so heavy, they literally don't shake from a finger on the button.

I am much more insistant to use at least a monopod on any p&s cameras. Those things are all over the place when you press the shutter.
 
I've been shooting only 1/60th and faster for hand held shots....good to hear experience with slower speeds.

Actually, I generally do use a tripod.

Texsport
 
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