Interested in purchasing a Fuji 6x9 Rangefinder

[nfenton]

I am looking at picking up a Fuji GW690III 6x9 rangefinder. I currently shoot with a Hasselblad 500C/M but am not crazy about the square format. I think the 3:2 ratio is what I am looking for.

I have been looking at the Fuji 6x9 cameras and I think I am set on the GW690. I don't mind the restriction of having a single lens, I own two lenses for my Hasselblad, the 80 and a 50mm. I rarely use the 80mm.

I am wondering what the differences are between the various GW690 models, and will I find a huge visual/performace difference if I go for something like a GW690II over a GW690III. Is it worth the extra dollars?

Also, what about the other options like the older Fujica G690?

And if anyone knows the best place to find these cameras (other than the obvious, eBay, Keh, Craigslist, etc.) please tell me.

 

[MickH]

Hello mate, I guess you've already looked here?

Good luck & happy hunting.

 

[Meleica]

Fuji 6x9 Page is here:

http://www.antiquecameras.net/fuji6x76x9.html

Second version is the best bargain.

Dan

 

[nfenton]

Fuji 6x9 Page is here:

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fuji670.htm

Second version is the best bargain.

Dan

Awesome, much appreciated.

 

[nfenton]

Hello mate, I guess you've already looked here?

Good luck & happy hunting.

I didn't see any for sale in the classifieds. 🙁

 

[dazedgonebye]

I didn't see any for sale in the classifieds. 🙁

You won't see them often either.

evilbay is your best/worst bet. Good luck.

 

[infrequent]

i have to say that the 690III looks pretty slick.

 

[MikeL]

Where's Rich (rich815)? 🙂

 

[Vickko]

There's one on evilbay 300196941857

I bought one last year, not sure that it will be a "keeper" but not ready to sell yet. Peculiarities were the double-stroke advance and rather loud shutter.

But loved the large negatives.

Vick

 

[rich815]

Right here. 🙂

I own both the GW690III and a complete Hassy kit (plus a few Rolleiflexes, and an SL66 kit....but that's for another time).

You cannot go wrong with either the II or the III versions though the III is newer and less likely not need service compared to the much older II. Also it is harder to find II's. Some people say the III's are more plastic. True enough. They are. But it's very strong polycarbonate and is a shell over a metal frame. The III is not less sturdy than the II and may even take a bang or fall better due to polycarbonate's attributes. If you rarely use the 80mm lens on the Hassy then you might consider the GSW Fuji's for a wider view (about like the 50mm in 6x6 or 28mm in 35mm format). Lens on both are great though the GSW is a bit slow. Personally I use my Hassy more often since I got it. The Fuji is a wonderful camera and a wonderful lens but the systems are completely different in terms of feel and handling, (plus I often find myself when shooting MF on a tripod to want to switch between my 80mm and 150mm lenses). Expect to pay over $1000 or therebouts for a III with it's counter not over the top and about $700-850 or so for a II if you can find one in good condition. The older ones (G690) can be good but being so old have likely been through a lot and you'll need to really make sure you're getting one that's not on it's last. Plus they are a bit heavier. That said I'm lusting for a G690 BL with a 180mm lens. Last one on eBay went for over $1200 though...

Good info on these G series here:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/gw.html

Lots of Fuji photos on my Fuji Rangefinder site. My gallery there is below in my signature and you could of course see others on the site too.

 

[nfenton]

Right here. 🙂

I own both the GW690III and a complete Hassy kit (plus a few Rolleiflexes, and an SL66 kit....but that's for another time).

Thanks for the information.

I think the thing that is scaring me away from the SW is the 'Super Wide' title, it makes me think of a fisheye or something like a 14mm on 35. I'll have to take a further look at the SW model and take it into consideration. When I used to have my K1000, the 28mm lens was the only lens I ever shot with on it, and from the reading I have done the SW model looks to be similar to a 28mm on a 35mm camera.

 

[Abbazz]

Also, what about the other options like the older Fujica G690?

These old G690 series are my favorite cameras. They are very sturdy and the only issues you might encounter are a stuck lightshield curtain (it prevents mid roll lens change but doesn't impair normal shooting) or a failure in the film advance mechanism (rare). Both conditions are very easy to detect so you can rest assured that there won't be any other nasty surprises if the lightshield curtains operates normally and the film advance is sound. Any shutter problem is very easy to remedy, as the between the lens shutters are standard types that still can be repaired today. And, if you were to encounter a shutter failure on one of your lenses, you just have to switch to another lens to resume shooting. As these are old cameras, you might have to change the light seals, which is a very easy job on such a big camera. The rangefinder is very difficult to knock out of alignment, so many cameras don't even need an adjustment.

The Fuji G690 cameras are quite rare indeed. Your best bet is to check eBay and Keh daily. You can also check Japanese, European and Australian second hand dealers and auction sites, because these cameras had more success in Europe and Australasia than in the USA. Be careful though: some sellers on eBay are asking extravagant prices for the cameras and lenses but these do not reflect the actual market prices.

If you are patient, there are still some good deals on these cameras. Keh has a bargain condition G690 body for $215 but with a catch: the plastic eyepiece is missing. It shouldn't be to much of a problem for shooting though. Two lenses just went for good prices on eBay: a 65mm wide angle for GBP 168 and a 150mm telephoto for GBP 149.

Here's a link to my modest web page about the Fuji G690 cameras: http://artbig.com/G690.html

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[nfenton]

These old G690 series are my favorite cameras.

Here's a link to my modest web page about the Fuji G690 cameras: http://artbig.com/G690.html

Cheers!

Abbazz

Thanks!

How tough are lenses to find for these cameras? And how sharp are they when compared to the fixed lens cameras, the GSW and GW 690

 

[Abbazz]

Thanks!

You're welcome.

How tough are lenses to find for these cameras? And how sharp are they when compared to the fixed lens cameras, the GSW and GW 690

All the lenses are rare, especially the 50/5.6 superwide and 65/5.6 wide angle, which I believe were never imported into USA. If you buy one of these cameras, be prepared to track down the lenses over the whole world. It is definitely possible to buy them at a reasonable price with time and dedication. I see it as a fun sport! It took me about two years to get a complete collection of the 7 lenses available. Of course, I could have spent less time with a bigger budget. I got a 50mm lens from Sweden (on eBay) and another one from France (from the classifieds on the Chasseur d'Images magazine's website), a few lenses from the USA, either from Keh (65/5.6, 65/8, 180/5.6) or from eBay (100/3.5, 100/3.5 AE, 150/5.6). I also found a close-up attachment (auto-up) from a small shop in Paris.

There is actually a G690BL looking pristine with two lenses (100mm and 65mm) for sale on eBay for US$1000 with 2 days to go and still no bids. A 180/5.6 lens auction just finished a few minutes ago without any bid.

The lenses are all very impressive. The 100/3.5 is noticeably less sharp wide open than the newer 90/3.5 on the GW690 camera, but it has a better bokeh. Stopped down a bit, it becomes very sharp. The wide angles are all razor sharp and almost free from distortion. The 65/5.6 lens looks strictly identical to the 65mm lens on the GSW690 camera. The telephoto lenses exhibit superior image quality, the only issue being the minimum focusing distance (2m for the 150mm and 2.5m for the 180mm) that is too long for head shots, but I guess this is a limitation due to the lack of precision of rangefinder focusing for such focal lengths. One thing to keep in mind: as these lenses are single coated (except the 100/3.5 AE, which has the renowned Fuji EBC multicoating), the lens shade is mandatory and one has to take care not to point the lens towards a bright light source.

Cheers!

Abbazz