News on the Fuji GF670 - very upsetting

[venchka]

Day 2 of Photokina. Did Fuji make any real announcement regarding this camera? Have samples on display? Anybody there? Anybody pick this camera up?

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Today (Tuesday 23 September) is the first full day.

Yesterday was for press only.

Stephen Gandy is there, and I think Roger Hicks also.

The GF670 is a very minor part of Fuji's exhibit, as evidenced that in a recent 8 page press release it merited just 3 lines at the bottom of page 8.

 

[shadowfox]

I hope this camera sells like a hotcake in Japan. At about $1000, people in Japan will eat them up.

It even has a cool side-effect: Fuji will have more incentive to continue production of 120 roll films (I don't see Kodak's continuing interest in this).

 

[kuzano]

Ooops.. Sorry

Ooops.. Sorry

kuzano...ZI was referring to Zeiss Ikon, not the fuji zoom lens folder.

I messed with too many Zeiss folders. I forget that they make contemporary cameras..

Plus, I am a Fujifan, having six of them currently, and one a black Zi. My fourth Zi.

No intent to offend, and you are right about those price comparizons, not to mention the fact that the 35mm ZI shoots a negative that's 1/5th the size of the GF670 folder.

 

[kuzano]

Perhaps this is why distribution only Japan at first.

Perhaps this is why distribution only Japan at first.

I hope this camera sells like a hotcake in Japan. At about $1000, people in Japan will eat them up.

It even has a cool side-effect: Fuji will have more incentive to continue production of 120 roll films (I don't see Kodak's continuing interest in this).

Is there an implication that the Japanese consumer is shooting more film? It could mean that the production runs will be sucked up by the Japanese consumers rather readily?

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Hey, if they work the prices like Canon does, that'll mean $750 US!

No, because there won't be a USD price, or EUR price, or a GBP price.

If you want this camera you'll need to pay for it in Japanese Yen at whatever the exchange rate is on the day.

 

[dazedgonebye]

No, because there won't be a USD price, or EUR price, or a GBP price.

If you want this camera you'll need to pay for it in Japanese Yen at whatever the exchange rate is on the day.

Humor attempt...failed once again. 🙁

 

[ath]

Fresh from Photokina:
1st pic from the Fuji booth, next to it was the Fuji version; 2nd pic from the voigtländer booth; the guy there had some informations:
120 and 220
Dual format: 6x6 and 6x7 via curtains (maybe this is only a masking of the 6x7? No details)
Expected to be available spring 2009, no price available.

 

[wlewisiii]

Oh my poor aching wallet! That is too pretty for words - a real Bessa from Mr K. How am I going to come up with the coins for this ... :bang: :bang: :bang: 🙁

William

 

[dazedgonebye]

It does 6x6?!?! Bessa Voigtlander branded?
Oh man...that makes it even more compelling. I'll never get away from film with something like this coming out.

I may have to sell my R3A/40mm Nokton for this.

 

[luketrash]

For some reason, I remember the prototype having a 60mm lens which is much more interesting to me than an 80mm lens.

Either way, I'm happy to see this thing becoming a reality!

 

[wlewisiii]

I believe it was a 90mm on last years display - that would be the normal length for a 6x7 camera. 80 is normal for 6x6. I'm rather curious if it's a real heliar/dynar design or only heliar in name.

William

 

[Pherdinand]

yay🙂 neat stuff! I want one!
No, i want two!

BTW: who said anything about "around $1K"? (besides the rumors)

 

[ath]

And a pic of the Fuji:

 

[pompadork]

So does the Bessa branding mean that it will be sold outside of Japan?

 

[Ray Nalley]

I'm guessing closer to $2,000. Buyers of such a camera will not be price sensitive.

 

[Pherdinand]

i'm afraid i got to agree with Ray here. 🙁

 

[wlewisiii]

DN - fixed lens. It's essentially impossible to have a high optical quality interchangable lens system. The best done was probably the Retina IIIc but still...

P- Since we'd heard the Fuji was Japan only, it's the VC for the rest of us ala Hassy & the XPan.

$2k? Alas, probably. Gotta figure out a way to afford this puppy.

William

 

[Pherdinand]

in theory, the bellows could be made for the normal lens (80mm), and make it interchangeable designing a retrofocus wide lens and a tele that both have the same flange to film distance as the normal. They would need to come with their own focusing helical, with some rf coupling, AND with own shutter, though. This makes them rather large for the folding mechanism, in medium format.
I guess it would be cheaper to make three slightly different bodies and glue those lenses on the bodies...

 

[david b]

I'll be buying two.

🙂