JChrome
Street Worker
Kuzano, would like for you to elaborate here. Know of anywhere I can find one of these adapters? Could you post a photo of yours?
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What's Wrong With the Fuji 690 Series?
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Kuzano, would like for you to elaborate here. Know of anywhere I can find one of these adapters? Could you post a photo of yours?
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Spanik
Well-known
Didn't pay that much for a good condition Fuji G617. And Velvia 50 in it is fantastic. But my problem now is what do you do with it? Scaning a 6x17 gives you such enourmous files with so much dust and problems of keeping them flat that it just isn't worth it anymore. (ok, I only have access to a flatbed scanner)
Even 6x9 is getting tedious in home scanning.
JChrome
Street Worker
It's admittedly slow on my Epson 4990. I can scan 4 6x9's in one go (double what I could on the Canon 9000f though).
Lots of dust and the scans leave a lot to be desired. Not too much of a matter to me because I only use these scans for sharing on the web. What do I care about slight imperfections if I'm just going to add something to a blog?
If I want to do something serious (which happens but is rare) I'll send the negs to a friend who's a pro at drum scanning.
Spanik
Well-known
If it's just for the net and I know it is never going to end anywhere else, I use a digital camera. Far easier and no waiting till the roll is done.
Prest_400
Multiformat
ATM I'm relying on lab scans (Carmencita film lab), who can go up to 6x9.
I should ramp up my 6x9 shooting, together with purchasing some gear (ballhead, straps, film); when I'm back home in December.
Anyways, my phone is great for quick and dirty snapshooting, getting where a 6x9 literally doesn't fit 😀 (bad pun).
35mm and Mirrorless in between for the main stuff (nice combo), and 6x9 for the "serious" shooting. I should commision my GW for more general shooting.
One day I should bring all the kit in a bag, to dazzle some friends. Often I just take a single camera (+phone), and keep combining.
As of prices and the original discussion of the topic...
I just got an underwater Canon P&S from the bay and to check out I browsed for MF equipment. Checked the GW690's. There's a seller in Japan selling two user GW690's mkII for $200. 190€. Such a low price!
I mean, wow.
I did see mkIII's down to 300€ a couple of times (mine and another sold by a fellow forumer June 2014 when I got mine as well)
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
Up until a couple of weeks ago , I could easily tell you what was wrong with the GL690; I didn't own one. And after paying way too much ( I had to have a good working GL with the AE lens ) I'm now pretty pleased with my purchase. Gotta tell you though, no matter how many times I'd heard of it behemoth like dimensions did I ever think it could dwarf my Kodak Medalist !
The driving force behind the GL models was the potential lens selection and here's the $10K question. Price aside ( and there's some significant differences ), the 65mm lens appeals to me. Other than one being 1 stop faster, are there any significant differences between these lens ? My Frankencamera has a 65mm Angulon mounted to a Mockva-5 and I enjoy the wider view on this larger negative.
Another observation, the Fujicas' negative is closer to a 6x8 when compared to ones from my Medalist.
As always, any insights are very welcome.
Peter
The driving force behind the GL models was the potential lens selection and here's the $10K question. Price aside ( and there's some significant differences ), the 65mm lens appeals to me. Other than one being 1 stop faster, are there any significant differences between these lens ? My Frankencamera has a 65mm Angulon mounted to a Mockva-5 and I enjoy the wider view on this larger negative.
Another observation, the Fujicas' negative is closer to a 6x8 when compared to ones from my Medalist.
As always, any insights are very welcome.
Peter
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Peter,
I own a 65/8.0 with the round Fujica VF'er that has parallex adjustment. It is a fine lens, but I have not compared it to the F5.6 version. Kinda short and stubby. I used an aftermarket hood that was collapsible rubber, but that proved not to be durable. I say search for one with a VF'er at a good price. Seen them for sale for around $450.00-$500.00. Know that mine had to have the shutter retimed so I had it CLA'ed at that time.
Cal
Spanik
Well-known
Good one 😀 Can't help you with the 65mm. Only ever seen the 65/8 around, never a f/5.6.
JChrome
Street Worker
Haha. Indeed! Many of the problems with Leicas is that i don't have an extensive collection of them!
I shot with Cal's 65 F8 and enjoyed it a lot. If you shoot low light and need the faster stuff then obviously it won't work so well. I don't know of any other differences aside from maybe weight.
www.stillthrill.com
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
This is a pic I took yesterday with my new-to-me GL690 with the AE:100 set on auto with Delta100. No problems there (straight scan from V600). Following will be a crop of the metal boom pivot bolt ( to the left of the building) Peter
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
It's resolving powers are as much as I could ever imagine needing.
It's becoming clear to me that problems with the GL690 are few and far between.
I have one and it's all I'd hoped for.
It's becoming clear to me that problems with the GL690 are few and far between.
I have one and it's all I'd hoped for.
JChrome
Street Worker
It's resolving powers are as much as I could ever imagine needing.
It's becoming clear to me that problems with the GL690 are few and far between.
I have one and it's all I'd hoped for.
Beyond the resolution, I love the way it draws images. There's such an immense sense of depth to them.
The Mamiya Press is a good 6x9 contender for the Fuji but the Fuji is much more portable.
www.stillthrill.com
lawrence
Veteran
The Thames Barrier. October 2015
The Thames Barrier. October 2015
I've also recently purchased a GL690 with the 100mm AE and am equally impressed with the results. Apart from the IQ of the lens the auto metering is amazingly accurate and the shutter is whisper quiet.
The Thames Barrier. October 2015
I've also recently purchased a GL690 with the 100mm AE and am equally impressed with the results. Apart from the IQ of the lens the auto metering is amazingly accurate and the shutter is whisper quiet.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
It's resolving powers are as much as I could ever imagine needing.
It's becoming clear to me that problems with the GL690 are few and far between.
I have one and it's all I'd hoped for.
Many large format lenses are simple Tessars like the 100/3.5 (single coated) and the 100/3.5 AE (EBC Multicoated).
I just got back my custom lens that Frank Marshman put together for me. Basically I found a like new 100/3.5 AE that the dealer clearly presented as having a likely dead CdS cell. I was hopeful that it could be repaired, but replacement CdS cells are not available, so I bought a early chrome 100/3.5 as a donor body to have Frank create me a manual lens with the EBC multicoated glass. Know that I have a nice black 100/3.5 also for a single coated version of this lens. I'll be showing off this lens this Sunday at the NYC Meet-Up.
As you can tell I love the rendering and resolution of this lens. I find when shot wide open and close focused that it produces wonderful bokeh, and somehow because it is such a simple lens the rendering is kinda pure and elegant.
BTW with perfect exposure and development a friend I deeply respect who shoots large format (Linhoff 4x5) once told me when I showed him some of my 6x9 negatives on a light table with a lupe, "With negatives like this you don't need a 4x5."
Too bad I couldn't get the AE working because the lens overall is in like new condition.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
BTW if you ever need any Fuji repairs Frank Marshman I highly recommend as the go to guy.
I'll be getting back a 150/5.6 Sonnar that had a wonky shutter shortly.
What a great experience to deal with.
Cal
I'll be getting back a 150/5.6 Sonnar that had a wonky shutter shortly.
What a great experience to deal with.
Cal
kuzano
Veteran
As long as Frank Marshman continues to service them (He's done about a dozen for me) WHO NEED FUJIFILM!!!!!!!!!!!!
And he's very reasonable, very timely and very courteous.
kuzano
Veteran
Best feature of ALL Fuji 690's..... shooting 6X17 for under $500 camera.
Careful pan, scan and stitch two or more negatives/transparencies and come up with near 6x17 or 6x24 Panoramas.
I've been close, but never pulled the trigger on $2000 to $3000 worth of Pano camera.
I've done this with my GL690, and made some great 6x17 panos.
Careful pan, scan and stitch two or more negatives/transparencies and come up with near 6x17 or 6x24 Panoramas.
I've been close, but never pulled the trigger on $2000 to $3000 worth of Pano camera.
I've done this with my GL690, and made some great 6x17 panos.
Spanik
Well-known
I paid no more than 1200 for a perfectly good Fuji G617 with the filter and it blows the Fuji 690 and is no pain to use. No mess about stiching, scanning or other crutches and it weighs less. Make a single exposure and be done with it. If Velvia 50 wouldn't be that expensive it would be the only camera I ever use.
bideford
Established
Back on topic (although I have seen some splendid images with the G617) - I am new to the GW690III and have to say there is little to be found amis with it. Huge negative real estate at 6x9 and the lens (fixed though it is) would appear to be a stellar performer.
Quick tripod test shot (with Delta 100):
James
Quick tripod test shot (with Delta 100):
James
Spanik
Well-known
Where is that James. From the boats I'd say somewhere in England.
