Questions About my New Fujica GM670

[Dompachino]

Hello everyone,

First off I just want to say hello to all of you as this is my first post.
I recently purchased a Fujica GM670 with the 100mm 3.5 Auto Electro Lens. I am very pleased with the condition of the camera, but there are a few things I would like to make better and wanted to get some input. First is the rangefinder that is a bit blury. it is nothing dramatic, but the fuzziness of the image is somewhat bothersome. Is there a way in which i can clean this no get a sharper image when i look through the viewfinder? Secondly, I have a question about the lens mounting ring. The lens ring, even when tightened seems to be a bit loose and jiggles around. Does anybody have any idea how this could have happened? I was thinking that maybe the past owner tried to yank the lens off when the lock was still on or something and consequently the ring became a bit loose. Would i need to send it off to get this ring re-tightened, or is this even an issue with regards to the image I will be capturing? My third question is concerning the back door. When i try to close it, sometimes the door does not catch on to the lock right away and i have to move it around a bit to close it. I don't know if it is because of this, but when the door is closed, the top part feels like it is being slightly pushed out by something springy inside. I dont know if it is suppose to be like this so that the door pops open when the lock is released, but I am just worried that if this is an issue, it will lead to light leaks. My final question is about the felt interior of the camera. The felt that lines the interior of the camera is not in the best condition and is pealing and has some rough patches in certain areas. Is this something that can be replaced?
I apologize for bombarding you guys with so many small questions, but I am new to this camera so I would really appreciate it if anyone with more knowledge can inform me on the things i have mentioned and point out anything that should be checked out by a professional to be serviced and whatnot.
Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Wouter]

Hello Dompachino,
This is one fine camera and lens. Difficult to assess the issues without pics. Although the camera is relatively simple to work on (if you have some experience) I would just send it off for a professional cla, because it's worth it. Then enjoy it, it takes great pictures.

 

[Dante_Stella]

1. Rangefinder is not hard-edged like a Leica. There are three glass pieces: the external eyepiece (if present; if not, use a Nikon FA or F3 non HP), the small lens at the back of the viewfinder "box" and the front window.

2. The lens locks and then you keep turning it for a tighter friction fit. If something else is loose, the lens flange is loose (it's easy to tighten the screws) or the front standard needs tightening (under the leatherette).

3. If the door stays shut, don't worry about closing it. It might be hanging up on material someone has stuffed into the light trap slots. Or it could be that the door is bent. It's not a big thing; once the latch catches, that's it.

4. As for the felt, just use some contact cement. It is not cost-effective to cut new felt and install it. It's only there to kill reflections. Your film can't see it.

Check your 100 AE lens - a lot of examples will drain a battery within a month, used or not.

Dante

Hello everyone,

First off I just want to say hello to all of you as this is my first post.
I recently purchased a Fujica GM670 with the 100mm 3.5 Auto Electro Lens. I am very pleased with the condition of the camera, but there are a few things I would like to make better and wanted to get some input. First is the rangefinder that is a bit blury. it is nothing dramatic, but the fuzziness of the image is somewhat bothersome. Is there a way in which i can clean this no get a sharper image when i look through the viewfinder? Secondly, I have a question about the lens mounting ring. The lens ring, even when tightened seems to be a bit loose and jiggles around. Does anybody have any idea how this could have happened? I was thinking that maybe the past owner tried to yank the lens off when the lock was still on or something and consequently the ring became a bit loose. Would i need to send it off to get this ring re-tightened, or is this even an issue with regards to the image I will be capturing? My third question is concerning the back door. When i try to close it, sometimes the door does not catch on to the lock right away and i have to move it around a bit to close it. I don't know if it is because of this, but when the door is closed, the top part feels like it is being slightly pushed out by something springy inside. I dont know if it is suppose to be like this so that the door pops open when the lock is released, but I am just worried that if this is an issue, it will lead to light leaks. My final question is about the felt interior of the camera. The felt that lines the interior of the camera is not in the best condition and is pealing and has some rough patches in certain areas. Is this something that can be replaced?
I apologize for bombarding you guys with so many small questions, but I am new to this camera so I would really appreciate it if anyone with more knowledge can inform me on the things i have mentioned and point out anything that should be checked out by a professional to be serviced and whatnot.
Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Dompachino]

thank you for the responses, I appreciate all the input. I recently checked the battery in my Auto Exposure lens and like you said, it was drained. I replaced it with a new battery, but when I press the battery check button the gauge is very inconsistently. Sometimes it will be working properly, but other times the needle does not swing at all and I have to open the battery compartment and jiggle it around a bit for it to work again. It seems that without an operating battery the shutter only works at 1/500 even when you set the shutter speed manually. I am worried that this lens is going to be unreliable but do you have any suggestions as to why this lens is being inconsistent and if there is a way to use the shutter in the lens manually without the battery operated auto exposure? Should I just get it serviced somewhere? Any info would be helpful. Thanks and all the best!

 

[kuzano]

Just get it serviced... Not that costly.... Well??

Just get it serviced... Not that costly.... Well??

I've had a number of Fuji rangefinders. I currently have the G690 with the AE100 lens. I have the same inconsistencies in the lens, and right now my lens is with Frank Marshman. I've had good periods for this lens and it really meters well when it works right. I just shot a roll of Fuji Acros 100 and got 8 great well focused and well metered B&W negs.

However, I don't rely much on this lens, without an unmetered 100 in the bag. If it weren't for the EBC coating, I'd just revert to the unmetered lens. Frankly, the battery independent operation of both the body and unmetered lenses works flawlessly.

However, I pursue fixing this AE100 lens for two reasons. It's the ONLY metered system for the big Fuji range finders in 670, 680 and 690, including all the GW models. Secondly the AE100 is the first EBC coated lens, and the only EBC lens in all the interchangeable lens bodies 670 or 690.

The operation of the AE100 lens works like this:

It is Aperture preferred when using the meter. Set the ISO, put the shutter speed ring on A. Set the preferred aperture and the meter will set the shutter speed.

Manual operation is still reliant on the electric circuit working well. You can set the aperture and the shutter speeds on the rings, but the shutter is still controlled/fired by the electric circuit. If the electric circuit is not working properly, then the default shutter speed is 1/500th, no matter what other settings you choose.

Essentially, if the electric circuit is "wonky" as you describe, you can't use the lens on manual control shutter, and there is no way to take the shutter actuation off electrical and make it manual as the older lenses operate. The circuit works properly or the lens is useless. I'm about to find that out.

It appears there are about 3 users of the AE100 lens on this forum, who are not having problems like mine, or as you describe. I'll be calling Frank for results in a week or two.

That's why my lens is with Frank now.

If I had the camera you describe, I would make a telephone call to Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz. That's the only way to find out his schedule, estimated rate and converse with him. There is no web site and e-mail is simply no-gonna-work with him. However his 40 years experience and his knowledge base are well worth the effort to get the camera in his hands.

Frank Marshman = Camera Wiz Camera Repair
169B Pleasant Hill Road
Harrisonburg VA 22801
540/434-8133

And again, frankly on the AE100, getting it fixed is my preferred method, but I will never be caught without the conventional 100 and a good hand held meter, like my Gossen Luna Pro.

Also, there is one more thing you may/may not know about your GM670. I presume you know it shoots 6X7. It's counterpart, the GL690, is the exact same body (same dimensions), but the film transport runs 6X9 negatives in the same body.

All the other questions you posed are standard issues for a CLA from Frank for the body.

 

[Dompachino]

thanks for your input!

 

[mretina]

I just got a GM670 as well today, which has not arrived yet. As I did not know that two lens types ever existed in 105mm, mine seems to have the older 105/3.5 lens (i.e. no battery box visibile around the lens). Would this mean that it would be fully manual/no battery at all (which was my original expectation and preference)?

 

[Lflex]

I just got a GM670 as well today, which has not arrived yet. As I did not know that two lens types ever existed in 105mm, mine seems to have the older 105/3.5 lens (i.e. no battery box visibile around the lens). Would this mean that it would be fully manual/no battery at all (which was my original expectation and preference)?

It should be a 100mm, and yes it is fully manual/mechanical.

 

[kuzano]

Yes you have the normal 100mm lens-no battery

Yes you have the normal 100mm lens-no battery

Likely to be more dependable than the AE100 in the long run. And the previous post is correct, there were no 105mm lenses for the big Fuji rangefinders. I think the lens set runs 50mm, 65, 100, 180 and 250. The lens set is the same for the 670 and 690 models. In fact your GM670 body is the same body dimensionally as the GL690. Only film transport is different for the shorter 6x7 film format.

The later GW fixed lens cameras did not have a 100mm lens, but rather a 90mm. ALL lenses in the GW cameras, whatever format, were EBC lenses. Electronic Beam Coating to guard against lens flare.

The only EBC lens for the interchangeable lens camera's was the Auto Exposure AE100 with the big meter box on the front side of the lens.

 

[Calzone]

I think the lens set runs 50mm, 65, 100, 180 and 250. The lens set is the same for the 670 and 690 models.

Kuzano,

Missing from your list is the 150/5.6 which is a Sonnar. No externat VF'er is needed because the internal framelines are for 100 and 150.

Cal

 

[Spanik]

Bit late but anyway. The rangefinder not being sharp can also be some vertical misalignment. Both my 690 and 670 have this problem. The result is that the image looks a bit fuzzy but only in the patch. To check you can aim at some sharp edge and focus, then slowly turn the camera around keeping the edge over the border of the patch. If you see that at some orientation everything lines up perfectly then it is time to adjust.

Regarding the film door, that it pushes back a bit is normal, that is the film pressure plate doing its job. If the latch doesn't catch well, check the state of the material used to seal the door (looks like some kind of felt). It can be turning into goo and some of it might be lodged where it shouldn't.