What's Wrong With the Fuji 690 Series?

[Calzone]

Just had a look on KEH and saw the 150 5.6 for $399! I wish I could justify that purchase right now. Someone else grab it quick!

A,

I saw that one also. A very hard to find lens and a great price.

Be aware though that the close focus on this lens is two meters. Basically a sonnar formula. I like this lens on a GM670 to shoot portraits vertically. Also know that the GM670 has more VF'er magnification than my GL690. The G690BL has the least VF'er magnification.

For me carrying a GL690 with a 100/3.5 (40mm FOV, Tessar formula, 1 meter close focus), and carrying a GM670 with a 150/5.6 (70mm FOV, Sonnar formula, two meter close focus) offers a really nice spread where I primarily shoot one for horizontals and the other primarity vertically.

Cal

 

[JChrome]

The 65/5.6 is very rare, I haven't seen one at all. The 50 for $1000 is low (depending on state of course). A couple of years back they went for $2000+.

Having the framelines in the viewfinder is a good thing. Those extra viewfinders aren't fun.

You wouldn't believe that a 65 5.6 went for $300 about a month ago... and the 180mm for $200!

Kicking myself for not going for them!

But if someone wants something to sell, they put it out there low. These lenses don't move that quickly.

Unsure if I should invest more into the Fuji system, get a Mamiya C330 w/ 180mm or add more lenses to my 4x5 system for now...

 

[Spanik]

For me carrying a GL690 with a 100/3.5 (40mm FOV, Tessar formula, 1 meter close focus), and carrying a GM670 with a 150/5.6 (70mm FOV, Sonnar formula, two meter close focus) offers a really nice spread where I primarily shoot one for horizontals and the other primarity vertically.

Cal

You do this for fun or as punishment? I once did the mistake to take the G690BL and 3 lenses out for a stroll but I'll never do that again. and I'm used to lug around a 645 and 4 lenses for weeks.

Unsure if I should invest more into the Fuji system, get a Mamiya C330 w/ 180mm or add more lenses to my 4x5 system for now...

Very different systems. The 180 for the C330 is rather dim I find.

 

[JChrome]

Very different systems. The 180 for the C330 is rather dim I find.

Dim in what sense? I've read a lot of reviews on the web singing its praises.

 

[Spanik]

In the viewfinder.

 

[Texsport]

A,

I saw that one also. A very hard to find lens and a great price.

Be aware though that the close focus on this lens is two meters. Basically a sonnar formula. I like this lens on a GM670 to shoot portraits vertically. Also know that the GM670 has more VF'er magnification than my GL690. The G690BL has the least VF'er magnification.

For me carrying a GL690 with a 100/3.5 (40mm FOV, Tessar formula, 1 meter close focus), and carrying a GM670 with a 150/5.6 (70mm FOV, Sonnar formula, two meter close focus) offers a really nice spread where I primarily shoot one for horizontals and the other primarity vertically.

Cal

Just a heads up for those who like a challenge - there is a magnifying screw-in lens called the Auto Up designed for the 100/3.5s, which changes the minimal focal distance to 1.8 feet.

You get the same effect on the 150/5.6 - a 40% shortening of the focal distance.

I use the Auto Up with the 100/3.5AE for portraits along side my Warner/Norita 80/2 cameras.

Bokeh is lovely with both - just have to chose the format - 6X6, 6X7, or 6X9!

Admit that the Auto Up is rare, but not that rare, as I have 2 and passed on another on eBay, about a year ago. I bought one of mine in Japan and the other in Australia.

Texsport

 

[Dante_Stella]

Texsport, let me know when you're about to pass on the next one. Been looking for an auto up for a while. 🙂

Dante

 

[Texsport]

Hey Texsport - let me know the next time you're going to pass on an auto-up. Been looking for one for a couple of years.

D

Will do.

It was actually more than a year ago - 2012.

I posted a comment on this site, the last time. Didn't report as a heads up, not wanting to spoil anyone's party.

Texsport

 

[JChrome]

If we're forming a queue, I'm next in line! 😛

 

[Calzone]

You do this for fun or as punishment? I once did the mistake to take the G690BL and 3 lenses out for a stroll but I'll never do that again.

Spanik,

I am known to sometimes carry three rigged Leicas because I don't like to carry lenses and would rather have rigged bodies.

I often carry a Plaubel 69W and a Rollie 3.5F; two Fuji's; and other combinations, but I tend to not mix 135 and 120. The only camera I tend to carry alone is the Pentax 67II (with only one lens).

I have no problem going out all day and covering 10-12 miles in a day walking in NYC carrying 2 or more cameras.

I use to race bicycles, and I ran the NYC Marathon under 5 hours unexpectedly when my friend offered me his bib so I could run in his place because he had overtrained and was to sick to race. I had not trained for a marathon and basically only had about a day to get ready. I was 49 years old when I did that. Today I'm not your typical 57 year old.

Cal

 

[awbphotog]

Spanik,

I am known to sometimes carry three rigged Leicas because I don't like to carry lenses and would rather have rigged bodies.

I often carry a Plaubel 69W and a Rollie 3.5F; two Fuji's; and other combinations, but I tend to not mix 135 and 120. The only camera I tend to carry alone is the Pentax 67II (with only one lens).

I have no problem going out all day and covering 10-12 miles in a day walking in NYC carrying 2 or more cameras.

I use to race bicycles, and I ran the NYC Marathon under 5 hours unexpectedly when my friend offered me his bib so I could run in his place because he had overtrained and was to sick to race. I had not trained for a marathon and basically only had about a day to get ready. I was 49 years old when I did that. Today I'm not your typical 57 year old.

Cal

You the man, Cal.

As far as an auto-up is concerned...I would love one as well. I already feel like the minimum focus for the G690BL is close enough...but can only imagine what an image taken at 3.5 @ 1.8ft would look like. Jeez!

Consider me third in the queue.

 

[Spanik]

Spanik,

I am known to sometimes carry three rigged Leicas because I don't like to carry lenses and would rather have rigged bodies.

I often carry a Plaubel 69W and a Rollie 3.5F; two Fuji's; and other combinations, but I tend to not mix 135 and 120. The only camera I tend to carry alone is the Pentax 67II (with only one lens).

I have no problem going out all day and covering 10-12 miles in a day walking in NYC carrying 2 or more cameras.

I use to race bicycles, and I ran the NYC Marathon under 5 hours unexpectedly when my friend offered me his bib so I could run in his place because he had overtrained and was to sick to race. I had not trained for a marathon and basically only had about a day to get ready. I was 49 years old when I did that. Today I'm not your typical 57 year old.

Cal

Good for you! I never understood the craze for small light cameras.

 

[Calzone]

Good for you! I never understood the craze for small light cameras.

Spanik,

Just trying to stay young.

To me a heavy camera is more steady. Sniper rifles are heavy for a reason.

I also like the commercial built quality for durability. Still a great camera after 40 years.

Cal

 

[Texsport]

If we're forming a queue, I'm next in line! 😛

Noted!


Texsport

 

[Spanik]

Spanik,

Just trying to stay young.

To me a heavy camera is more steady. Sniper rifles are heavy for a reason.

I also like the commercial built quality for durability. Still a great camera after 40 years.

Cal

Cal, you're preaching to the converted. 😀 Funny you mention a sniper rifle. I got a couple of old english books about rifles. Not my thing but I browsed through them anyway. There was a chapter about firing positions and keeping stable. Since I read that I use those "tricks" when using a camera. And it helps a lot! Don't believe this is a coincidence.

 

[DrTebi]

A bit late, but I thought I give my response to the OP.

I bought a GW 670 III a couple of month ago, used it during my last Europe trip, and am quite happy with it.

Here are some of my test pix (Europe pix not done yet):
http://1drv.ms/1TIa37L

Shot with Fujifilm Reala 100, great film, although now unfortunately discontinued.

Here my answers to the questions:
1) People's priority is not about printing which is where the main advantage of a 6x9 negative comes from, but rather digitally sharing.
I bought the 6x7 because I project slides, and 6x7 slides are the only ones that fit... otherwise I would have probably gone with the 6x9.

2) The production numbers of the series was very high.
Who cares? I don't buy cameras because they are rare.

3) The camera is heavy and inconvenient to shoot with.
For a medium format not really that heavy at all (1460g). I do prefer the Plaubel Makina 67 for hiking etc., since I can retract the lens and the resulting flat "package" is easier to handle. But it's really not that big of a deal with the GW670III. The Makina weighs almost the same (1345g) and the Mamiya 7 weighs 1210g with the 80mm lens.

4) Stiff competition from the Mamiya Rangefinders (even at 4x the price). People also love the jewel-like-quality of the Hasselblad 500 series.
I never liked the handling of the Hasselblads. That's of course a personal preference, but for me, a rangefinder is much nicer for composing and holding/handling. I had the Mamiya 7, sold it... I found the lenses too contrasty, although I loved the sharpness. It also needed to be fixed twice in the one year that I had it... the Fuji camera seems to be more robust, although only time will tell.

5) Medium format is better suited for SLRs for critical focusing in a studio situation.
I don't do studio stuff... and I prefer a rangefinder for landscape, because it is easier to transport when hiking. I do wish I had another lens at times though. Focus has always been spot-on with the GW670III so far.

6) No meter. Lack of any automation.
This was the reason why I hesitated for a while, but now that I used it with a meter (Gossen Pilot), I must say it's really quite quick and easy, at least if you don't shoot in a lot of light-changing environments or street shooting where you want to be quicker.

7) Medium format is unpopular.
Not with me... there is so much detail in medium format, it's just freaking awesome... you just need the right scanner or projector to prove that.

8) The 'ping' noise of the GW series (which is not* due to the shutter counter btw... this myth needs to die).
Doesn't bother me. I actually kind of like it. And since I don't do street photography, it's not a problem at all for me.

What you do get with the Fuji Medium format series is a solid camera with a great lens, that is super easy to use and gives wonderful results. And that's what photography is all about for me... shooting with a camera that's fun to use, and getting great results.

For the (used-) price of a Fuji MF camera, they are hard to beat!

 

[lawrence]

I took my first photos with the GL690 at the weekend and I'm very impressed. Everything, apart from the rangefinder alignment, is perfect. The camera is a pleasure to use and, with the 100mm AE lens that came with it, whisper quiet. For this first trial I used some old Plus-X (expired in 2004) which was exposed at EI64 and developed in Rodinal. Half the time the exposure was set manually and half I left it on Auto and I couldn't tell the difference. I plan to use the camera a lot more.

 

[JChrome]

Here my answers to the questions:
1) People's priority is not about printing which is where the main advantage of a 6x9 negative comes from, but rather digitally sharing.
I bought the 6x7 because I project slides, and 6x7 slides are the only ones that fit... otherwise I would have probably gone with the 6x9.

2) The production numbers of the series was very high.
Who cares? I don't buy cameras because they are rare.

...

What you do get with the Fuji Medium format series is a solid camera with a great lens, that is super easy to use and gives wonderful results. And that's what photography is all about for me... shooting with a camera that's fun to use, and getting great results.

For the (used-) price of a Fuji MF camera, they are hard to beat!

I agree with much of what you've said! I think it's a great camera and wouldn't give it up for many other systems.

Just to add this though - the list of reasons is not complaints about the camera. It's a compilation of reasons why the system is so inexpensive. So while you don't care about cameras that are rare, one of the reasons that the system is inexpensive is because the supply is so high. That's what the OP is all about.

 

[JChrome]

I took my first photos with the GL690 at the weekend and I'm very impressed. Everything, apart from the rangefinder alignment, is perfect. The camera is a pleasure to use and, with the 100mm AE lens that came with it, whisper quiet. For this first trial I used some old Plus-X (expired in 2004) which was exposed at EI64 and developed in Rodinal. Half the time the exposure was set manually and half I left it on Auto and I couldn't tell the difference. I plan to use the camera a lot more.

Glad you're enjoying it. Post the photos frequently 😀

 

[DrTebi]

I agree with much of what you've said! I think it's a great camera and wouldn't give it up for many other systems.

Just to add this though - the list of reasons is not complaints about the camera. It's a compilation of reasons why the system is so inexpensive. So while you don't care about cameras that are rare, one of the reasons that the system is inexpensive is because the supply is so high. That's what the OP is all about.

I agree. It can be confusing actually, because one wonders why a good camera can be so affordable.

One more thing to add: I think a lot of people are turned off by the plastic... most higher valued cameras are metal and (chromed-) brass. Nevertheless, the Fuji MF cameras are not cheaply made; the plastic shell feels very solid and while it probably won't take as much abuse as metal, I don't think it was meant to be abused in the first place...

The lens, by the way, is for the most part made of metal. And the focusing ring is one of the smoothest I have ever used.