New to medium Format and maybe Fuji GW690III

[napoleonesq]

I usually shoot with Leica and i am thinking about taking a stab at medium format and saw an ad for a FUJI GW 690 III with 90mm fixed lens in a pretty condition for $$750.

is that a good deal?
Do you recommend this camera for a newbie to Medium Format and
do you know if this camera has a light meter?

Thanks

 

[Solinar]

If the camera is has a low shutter count and is pristine then yes $750 is a fair price. I have one that has some wear and a shutter count over 350 that I paid $525.00 when the camera was more in demand.

The GW690 III is sometimes called a Texas Leica, but in reality it is a Jumbo Sized Canonet. The construction is more along the lines of fixed-lens rangefinders from the 1970's than any M mount or screw mount Leica. That said, even with the plastic cladding on the exterior, my Fuji has proved to rather robust, the images it takes are stunning and the RF stays in alignment, unlike some more modern designs.

For anyone used to automation - there isn't any, except for the coupled-rangefinder focusing. Second, there is no built-in meter. The photographer sets the exposure manually. On the flip side, the Big Fuji is a battery-free camera.

Next up, the shutter speed is controlled by rotating a ring at the very front of the lens barrel, but be aware the ring for the shutter speed is blocked by the lens shade if is retracted even a little. So the lens shade must be fully extended when the camera is in use.

Last but not least, the Big Fuji uses a fully mechanical leaf-shutter, which should be ultra quiet. However, the camera has an counter mechanism to keep track of shutter actuation and that mechanism located at the bottom of the camera is anything but quiet when the shutter is released. It sure would be nice to do away with this counter.

 

[Frank Petronio]

They have very sharp lenses that are excellent. Of course they are slower but they are easy to handhold outdoors in most light. About the only thing to go wrong is that they get sluggish from sitting on a shelf for a few years.

 

[kuzano]

Be sure to add a zero to the shutter count

Be sure to add a zero to the shutter count

The Fuji count system is based on rolls, and the shutter count number is "times ten" to get actual shutter count. OK, so it's only 8 per roll, but that's the manual instruction.

I have an early G690bl and a GSW690III. The early "tank" has a 100mm lens. The standard lens changed to 90 starting with the fixed lens models (The GW). The GSW690III has a fixed 65mm wide angle. Anytime you see an S in the GSW... it's the wide 65. My GSW has a count of 76... or 760 actuations. I just bought it for $900... from the original owner, like new in the box with all documentation and original Fuji bag.

I've had a number of the 645 rangefinders. Have never had a problem with any of my Fuji's over the years. I have had them serviced by Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz. Fuji also still services them.

The Fuji EBC lenses are very sharp. This has been my experience on all my Fuji lenses, including for large format, going back to early Fujinar large format lenses.

The image quality on the fuji's is unique in some respects. Hard to describe, but very pleasing.

Prices are down right now on most of the large Fuji's, but your price sounds OK for a low-count camera. The manual rates the shutters for 5000 actuations before a service, but Frank and Fuji have both told me that's hogwash and to shoot them until they won't any more.

I have a Fuji GA645Zi that has 32,000+ actuations, and only been serviced once... recently by Frank, when he also put in an lcd screen on the back.

Good luck... nice camera's.

 

[Andrew Howes]

How do you find the overall look of the image including bokeh? I know they are sharp but some photos I have seen taken with it seem a lttle harsh, but that is looking at scanned images on the web. How does a selective focus photo look with the 90mm? I am considering one myself, for environmental portraits mainly, close focus not so important. Other cameras considered are RB67, discounting pentax67 as I may use flash and want a leaf shutter. I would love a RF as I often carry lighting and stuff as well, and a kilo less camera would be handy, not to mention no temptation to bring three lenses. KEH has them at a reasonable price (well if the AUD was better it would be)

 

[hiromu]

I used to have GW690III, and now have Mamiya 7II. I sold it because its RF is not as clearly seen as my Mamiya II. But still, you can focus very well.

Check the pricing at KEH. I think I have paid a little less than 700 for BGN grade, which was actually in very good shape.

The camera is all mechanical. No light meter. And is big as you know. But the slides you get from that camera is fantastic... I miss mine from time to time, but I like Mamiya's smaller size and AE.

Hiromu

 

[JayC]

I had a Mamiya 7II and a GW670III at the same time. I felt the Fuji was easier to focus. I sold the Mamiya. Now I am going to sell the Fuji as I just got back in with Hasselblad.

 

[Windscale]

I have a Fuji GA645Zi that has 32,000+ actuations, and only been serviced once... recently by Frank, when he also put in an lcd screen on the back.

Can you post a picture of it please?

 

[kuzano]

Sure,,,, here you go.

Sure,,,, here you go.

Here is a set of pice... One next to a 35mm Pentax SLR for reference to size. Another from the back showing the information LCD that was recently replaced and one from the front. When you use the button sequence to show the shutter actuations, on this camera it will show the number 324. On the Zi, unlike the bigger rangefinders, you add two zeros, giving this camera 32,400 shutter count.

On the bigger rangefinders (670 and 690) you take the count from the window on the bottom of the camera and add ONE zero. For instance my GSW690III, has a count in the window of 76, so adding a zero gives a shutter count of 760.

The LCD displays various pieces of information, like ISO, remaining shots, etc. depending on certain button sequences. The camera has autofocus and AE metering. It can be set on Program mode, aperture priority, shutter priority and Manual. The autofocus shows a distance LCD in the viewfinder (no rangefinder patch)..

 

[Windscale]

Very nice indeed. Thanks for showing us.

 

[Argenticien]

Next up, the shutter speed is controlled by rotating a ring at the very front of the lens barrel, but be aware the ring for the shutter speed is blocked by the lens shade if is retracted even a little.

Somewhat on topic: I'm interested in one day getting one of these machines. For those of you who've used them in practice, have you found the shutter speed and aperture rings on the G(S)W6x0 II and III models to be too fiddly, even disregarding the lens hood? I have not had a chance to try one, but it just seems that with the little window and only the small sunken side areas where you can actually grip the tabs, it would be annoying (especially if wearing gloves). Hence this guy's modifications; although my simpler solution would be to get the older (pre-II) fixed-lens versions with normal rings, or of course the original interchangeable lens models. Has anyone used both the pre-II and the II/III and can comment on the usability of the respective rings?
--Dave

 

[noah b]

I have a 6x6 Mamiya C330 and a Mamiya 7II. Both of them produce great negatives, it all depends on what kind of things you want to shoot. I would've gotten the 6x9 but the 6x7 is more my style.

 

[DanPogo]

Hello. New to the forum. I am looking to clean house and go all digital. I have a GW690III with a count of 66. It's LN- grade. If you are still interested I can post it in the classified section with some photos.

 

[JayC]

Somewhat on topic: I'm interested in one day getting one of these machines. For those of you who've used them in practice, have you found the shutter speed and aperture rings on the G(S)W6x0 II and III models to be too fiddly, even disregarding the lens hood? I have not had a chance to try one, but it just seems that with the little window and only the small sunken side areas where you can actually grip the tabs, it would be annoying (especially if wearing gloves). Hence this guy's modifications; although my simpler solution would be to get the older (pre-II) fixed-lens versions with normal rings, or of course the original interchangeable lens models. Has anyone used both the pre-II and the II/III and can comment on the usability of the respective rings?
--Dave

Adjusting the exposure is no more difficult than on a Leica. Can one adjust shutter and aperture easily on one of those with gloved hands? At least with the Fuji, you can do it with one hand all at the same time.

 

[boklm]

Hello. New to the forum. I am looking to clean house and go all digital. I have a GW690III with a count of 66. It's LN- grade. If you are still interested I can post it in the classified section with some photos.

Interesting. How much are you selling it ?

 

[DanPogo]

I think $850 is reasonable, but I haven't reviewed prices lately.

 

[Doug]

Just as one consideration when choosing between a GW670 and GW690, check with your processing lab (if you use one) to see if they can scan/print 6x9 film. My local pro lab can do 6x7 but surprisingly not 6x9. I do have a GW670III and several big Pentaxes, so only ran into this 6x9 issue when turning in some 620 color film from an ancient Kodak folding camera.

I like my GW670III but the fuzzy RF spot isn't the greatest, the shutter/aperture controls are a bit fiddly, the shot counter does make a tinny clink sound, the frame spacing on film is irregular (typical, says Marshman), and in all I find the Bronica RF645 much nicer to use (of course suffering smaller film area) and more likely to go out with me. I have most of the same unfavorable comments about the Fuji GS645S, but I'm quite fond of the GA645Wi...

 

[cyan]

consider an earlier camera

consider an earlier camera

I had a GSW690111 a few years back. I captured some great images with it. I shot on velvia then had them imacom scanned. Mostly I desaturated with photoshop.
I sold that to go digital and take a lot of photographs. Now I want to get back into it and process my own film and have bought an (older) G690BL, which I actually think is a better camera. Why?
1) All metal contruction. I like that, even though it weighs 2k.
2) Lens interchangeability. You said you were interested in the 90mm lens, so you could consider the G690 with a 100mm. If you are interested in WA then it could be problematic locating the 65mm or even the 50mm at a reasonable price.
3) Quieter shutter. The GW and GSW have a loud tinny click shutter noise which is distracting and could spoil you chance of candid shots. It just sounds silly. The older cameras do not have the shutter counter mechanism which causes this sound.
4) tripod mount on the centre of gravity.
5) (and most importantly) A much better viewfinder on the older models. Brighter and with much clearer split image.
6) Cheaper. I just bought one on ebay, everything working, for AU$425.

Hope this helps.