More news - "Fujifilm GF670 Folding"

[david b]

I just posted more info at http://davidbram.blogspot.com/

Apparently, according to a Japanese website, the camera will be released by the end of the year.

Watch the video.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Thank you.

It looks an interesting camera to carry everywhere in your work bag, so long as you can get 120 film supplies and processing.

Fuji are being very innovative in the camera market with the Natura series, then the Klasse, and now this.

 

[pfoto]

Thank you for posting these links. This is a very interesting camera and it would seem that Fuji are serious in their intent to support the film photographer.

 

[bmattock]

Yes, thanks for posting. Very interesting! The top of that camera looks like nothing less than a Voigtlander Bessa II. Love it!

 

[chambrenoire]

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/18141/fujifilm-medium-format-camera/
Looks so old-school! The black one is sexy.

 

[oftheherd]

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/18141/fujifilm-medium-format-camera/
Looks so old-school! The black one is sexy.

That looks nice! The only thing that scares me is that everything they said seems to push this to the professional side of photography. That implies a higher price than it probably needs to be and certainly more than I can afford to pay for another folder. Even if it is a Fuji. After all, I alreay have one Fujica folder. Surprisingly, it doesn't look like an interchangeable lens camera, which of course would be difficult with a folder.

 

[Scarpia]

Very interesting. If it catches on the Russians might bring back a new Moskva. What do you think? After sarching near and far for a lab that does 120 I found a portrait studio literally around the corner from me in NYC that develops C-41 for three bucks a roll and in 1 hour too. They are very dissapointed when I tell them I don't want prints as I scan the negs. I wonder what the cost of this folder will be.
Kurt M.

 

[Scarpia]

Very interesting. If it catches on the Russians might bring back a new Moskva. What do you think? After sarching near and far for a lab that does 120 I found a portrait studio literally around the corner from me in NYC that develops C-41 for three bucks a roll and in 1 hour too. They are very dissapointed when I tell them I don't want prints as I scan the negs. I wonder what the cost of this folder will be.
Kurt M.

 

[Scarpia]

Sorry for the double post.
Kurt M.

 

[ChipNovaMac]

This new Fuji reminds me of the concept cars at auto shows. Yes, there is interest within the photographic community - but will it translate in to sales?

I am the proud owner of a car show concept car orphan - the Subaru Baja. It started life as a 2000 concept known as the Subaru STX. It wasn't till the 2003 model year that it appeared close to concept as a real car. Sadly it never lived upped to the buzz that the concept generated.

Not sure if the GF670 could have the sales appeal to really make it in the market place. Remember the hype over the Bronica RF645.

Now that digital seems to be king with many shooters, the pricing of the GF670 is going to be key. Unless Fuji is going after the Leica niche, I think that the GF670 needs to priced under $1000US to have mass market appeal.

 

[retnull]

After sarching near and far for a lab that does 120 I found a portrait studio literally around the corner from me in NYC that develops C-41 for three bucks a roll and in 1 hour too. They are very dissapointed when I tell them I don't want prints as I scan the negs.
Kurt M.

Hi Kurt, is it OK to share the name of this lab? $3 is very cheap here in NYC!

 

[kuzano]

Thank you.

It looks an interesting camera to carry everywhere in your work bag, so long as you can get 120 film supplies and processing.

Fuji are being very innovative in the camera market with the Natura series, then the Klasse, and now this.

9 city blocks to my 120 roll film processor, and a walk across the room to my 120 roll film refrigerator. Professional quality processing from Q-Photo (the processor) at $6 per roll for the film strip. Since they can't go any further with my preferred 6X9 format, I have to scan and print 6X9 or crop.

So, this new folder was designed with me in mind. Film will always be available. In fact this new offering from Fuji will insure continuance and re-introduction of emulsions considering how the market will be affected.

Digital Pixel Peekers will be storing their toys on the shelf for the rush to medium format.

 

[kuzano]

Now that digital seems to be king with many shooters, the pricing of the GF670 is going to be key. Unless Fuji is going after the Leica niche, I think that the GF670 needs to priced under $1000US to have mass market appeal.

Now that's an interesting comment considering the number of people that are paying anywhere from $2000 to $7000 for DSLR and RFdigital cameras, and in some cases (more than acceptable) getting rather mediochre and problematic products.

I expect this new Fuji to be as dependable as any camera can be in this day, and to produce an image that none of the aforementioned $2000 to $7000 can touch.

I really expected to hear these kind of $1000 limitations on the price of the new GF670, but is the reasoning for this price limitation valid. I would hope that more people would step up to a reasonable price point on what promises to be a class A shooter, with a solid company behind it, and a service policy and sound quality reputation.

I expect this camera to be more expensive than $1000 and that will not deter me. I also have a favored Fuji Folder, and a G690bl, not to mention having had a number of others.

Not one of those camera's beginning with the early G series entered the market at below $1000 even 20 years ago, and they are still trading heavily.

Expecting a $1000 entry price is a fantasy...{ But, we can all dream can't we... Now I have to get back to Jessica (Alba)}

 

[Leighgion]

I concur that the asking price will be key. The way I see it, a hefty part of what has kept rangefinders to the side in the mainstream is that asking prices even on used gear skew so high. Rich and penny-banking rangefinder enthusiasts alone can't float a whole camera design. The Leica niche ultimately is a dead end far as market survival goes.

 

[Eric T]

Digital Pixel Peekers will be storing their toys on the shelf for the rush to medium format.

Kuzano - you have got to be kidding. IF Fuji makes this camera, it will be of limited usefulness even among medium format users as it has a fixed lens. There is very little chance that digital-only users will take the plunge into medium format with this camera. Most no longer want the delays and costs associated with film development. And without the ability to change lenses, it just isn't useful in a lot of situations.

I have two medium format cameras that I now rarely use. My M8 photos are more than adequate and my Canon XTi photos are great for fast action low-light situations.
I usually use fast lenses that would not be available for the proposed Fuji camera.

Nevertheless, I hope this Fuji camera is successful and if under $1,000, I would consider buying one. I do want to see the 120/220 format survive a little longer. It would be a handy camera for some situations.

Eric

 

[david b]

I am expecting the price to be about $1500. As I mentioned before the Nikon F6 was $1800 and that one is far more complex than the GF670.

No matter the price, I am planning NOW on buying one.

And I will feed it lots of Acros 100 and Neopan 400.

 

[FrankS]

For those of you who are interested in this camera only please:

If given the choice, would you opt for a less expensive camera (<$1000) with lower build and materials quality, or a more expensive premium quality camera (>$1000) ?

 

[sepiareverb]

...I think that the GF670 needs to priced under $1000US to have mass market appeal.

I don't think at $100 a 120 RF could have mass market appeal these days.

I'm seriously thinking about it, and would rather it be better built.

 

[kuzano]

Geez folks.... lighten up a bit....

Geez folks.... lighten up a bit....

I guess I am going to have to start resorting to those godawful emoticons whenever I poke a little fun.

Although, based on the comment, "My M8 Shoots Adequate Pictures" I'd be a little sensitive around the wallet area as well. (Take it easy😛) I'd kill if someone charged me that much for "adequate". But I'm not really the killing kind, which limits my paying that much for my toys.

In my reality, the advent of digital has proven to be a real disappointment, but I don't take many things all that seriously.

I mentioned fantasy. Well my fantasy is a total breakdown of the digital imaging phenomena and a return to real image quality through the use of film. Now, tell me I am not entitled to that fantasy??

You may envision me as a cryptic, dried up old naysayer, but for the most part I chuckle my way through my remaining days as I look at the world around me.

So, I will plan to buy this new Fuji, even if I am the only one in line. However, I expect to have to pay from $1500 to $2000 for it. And in addition, I will get images worth the expenditure, relatively speaking.

Ok... Jessica awaits.

 

[Al Patterson]

For those of you who are interested in this camera only please:

If given the choice, would you opt for a less expensive camera (<$1000) with lower build and materials quality, or a more expensive premium quality camera (>$1000) ?

If they make it the less expensive option, I might be interested. At over $1,000, no way.