GF670W review

[genotypewriter]

Hi everyone,

Here's my review of the GF670W:

http://genotypewritings.blogspot.com/2013/10/fuji-gf670w-rangefinder-review.html

It also includes a closer look at the lens design of the EBC 55mm f/4.5 and how it compares to the design of the famous Mamiya 7 43mm f/4.5 (I couldn't find a lens diagram for the Makina W67). There is also a link to a video showing the rangefinder patch and the information displayed in the OVF.

If anyone has more links to reviews, I'm sure future/potential buyers would appreciate it if we could have them posted under this thread.

Thanks for looking.

Regards,

Guy

 

[Peter_S]

Thanks,Guy!

I found the review interesting, and it nicely points out the high quality of the optics. The Bessa III series is under-underrated. There were complaints about the price of the Bessa III/GF670 and their wide-angle version, but given the level of performance of the lenses, they are well-priced (given how much one has to spend for a similar setup in 35mm or digital land).

I own the Bessa III and am increasingly stunned by the lens performance and image quality...also in the corners.

Cheers!
Peter

 

[thegman]

Indeed, I don't know where the complaints about price come from really. $1600 for a brand new GF670 is just superb value compared to just about any other camera.

 

[dcsang]

I've considered the GF670 on and off fairly regularly - I know B&H carries the Voigtlander branded version but where on earth would I buy the GF670W?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[kzphoto]

I believe there is a remark in your review regarding the VF of the GF670. Mine does indeed have a shutter speed indicator in the VF and I can shoot at 1/500 when wide open.

 

[kzphoto]

Oh you say "behind the Viewfinder." What exactly are you describing?

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

That was very nicely done. Light but informative. 🙂

 

[jmilkins]

hi Guy, a great contribution as you join RFF - many thanks.

I'm also in Melburne & now own the Bessa III that travelled around Australia in this thread.

It has a wonderful viewfinder and is such a joy to use, so great to read about your experiences with its wider brother. I also find 1/15th possible which helps with low light.

One small note for your blog is the picture title "Fujifilm GF670W (left) and Fujifilm GW690III (right)" has been repeated instead of your EOS 3 - not that it matters.

From time to time I dream about the perfect MF 28 and 40 equivalent kit ;-) Perhaps one day.

 

[Pete B]

I believe there is a remark in your review regarding the VF of the GF670. Mine does indeed have a shutter speed indicator in the VF and I can shoot at 1/500 when wide open.

Yes, I noticed that error.
Pete

 

[taemo]

great review on the GF670W,
I have the regular GF670 and love it, I also have the GSW690III and I've been thinking of getting the GF670W because it's smaller, only downside is I'll be losing 6x9 for 6x7.

 

[genotypewriter]

Thank you very much for the replies everyone. Sorry I just saw them, had no idea anyone would take any interest in my post 🙂


Peter, thegman: I agree. People pay far more for much less just because of the familiarity of the name. Recently I came to know that hte 80/3.5 in the GF670 and Bessa III is identical in design to the much sought-after 75/3.5 Planar in the Rolleiflex TLRs. I'm sure in the future, these cameras will fetch a lot of money, especially if the companies discontinue them.


Dave/dcsang: There's a Bessa III Wide (a.k.a. "667 Wide"?) that's the same thing as the GF670W. I personally like the colour scheme of the Fuji for the wide model. The famous auction site also has these models popping up every now and then. The prices have come down considerably, a good time to buy, if you ask me.


Kevin/kzphoto and Pete: There's a tiny red LED light right outside the eyepiece that goes off when the shutter is released. Without it, you'd have no idea if the photo was taken because the shutter is too quiet. I haven't handled a GF670/Bessa III to see if it also has one of these.


Sejanus: Thanks!


John/jmilkins: Thanks. Turns out there are lots of people with similar interests from this side of the world, proportionally speaking. Also thanks for noting the typo... seeing how I missed that, I'm sure there are plenty of others in there too.


taemo: I completely understand what you mean about the 6x7 vs. 6x9. Compared to the latter, 6x7 is so much more common because of popular cameras like RB/RZ67, Pentax 67, Mamiya 7, etc. and the Fuji 6x9 stuff stand in a lot more unique position because of that to the point that makes the arguments that 6x7 users have about which lenses are good, etc. become moot. Also my attachment to 6x9's superiority over 6x7 as a format as lessened since going in to 4x5 and 8x10.

Thanks again for the replies and feedback!

 

[RattyMouse]

The GF670 does NOT have the red LED light by the viewfinder. Only the GF670W does.

 

[Peter_S]

Recently I came to know that hte 80/3.5 in the GF670 and Bessa III is identical in design to the much sought-after 75/3.5 Planar in the Rolleiflex TLRs.

Interesting. Do you have more information on that? I thought my Rolleiflex 3.5 rendered differently, but I never shot them side-by-side.

Also interesting is your note about a max shutter speed of 1/250 when at aperatures f/4 or faster on thr GF670. I never noticed that, but the manual confirms it. My Bessa III shows 500 also at f/3.5...I wonder, is it a typo in the manual (the brochures and manuals for both models say the same).

Regardless, the Bessa III has replaced my 135 cameras (Ms) for pretty much all film work, except wide angle and the Contax T3 when weight and ruggedness really matter.

Thanks again for the review and bringing attention to a remarkable camera.

 

[genotypewriter]

Hi Peter,

Interesting. Do you have more information on that? I thought my Rolleiflex 3.5 rendered differently, but I never shot them side-by-side.

The lens diagram for the 80/3.5 GF670 can be found below:
http://www.gf670.com/downloads/GF670_Brochure.pdf

As for the 6 element 75/3.5 Planar's diagram, there are lots of source and here's one of several I found:
http://dobleobjetivo.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/rollei-tlr-6x6-lenses.html

What's also useful in that second link is how it shows the way in which a 6 element Planar differs from a 6 element Xenotar (the former looks more symmetrical than the latter). So we know that the GF670/Bessa III lens is also not a Xenotar.

Also interesting is your note about a max shutter speed of 1/250 when at aperatures f/4 or faster on thr GF670. I never noticed that, but the manual confirms it. My Bessa III shows 500 also at f/3.5...I wonder, is it a typo in the manual (the brochures and manuals for both models say the same).

Regardless, the Bessa III has replaced my 135 cameras (Ms) for pretty much all film work, except wide angle and the Contax T3 when weight and ruggedness really matter.

Thanks again for the review and bringing attention to a remarkable camera.

Thank you for confirming that. I will update the blog article. Not really sure why it is the case... I'm sure there's some story behind what the manual says but I don't think too many people will look in to it until much later on when the camera becomes a collector's item 🙂

Also, it's pretty much the case for me... The massive increase in quality and the ease of scanning with larger film makes it difficult to go back to 35mm film.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[ashfaque]

Hello Guy,

It's a wonderful and easy-to-read review. Thanks a lot for letting us know about the finer differences between the two. 🙂 May I ask how you scan these & other MF slides & negatives?

Bests,

Ashfaque

 

[genotypewriter]

Hello Guy,

It's a wonderful and easy-to-read review. Thanks a lot for letting us know about the finer differences between the two. 🙂 May I ask how you scan these & other MF slides & negatives?

Bests,

Ashfaque

Glad you liked it! I use the V700 (dry) + VueScan and swear by them. I've made my own holders so I'm able to get the most out of the scanner, resolution-wise. The amount I can do with the shadows is limited by the software.