Fuji GX617 Professional mechanical override of electromagnetic shutter?

[sugna]

Hello,

The older Fuji G617 is fully mechanical but the newer Fuji GX617 Professional (1993) has an electromagnet shutter (as per the manual). All speeds, 1-1/500, are used by this shutter in conjunction with the on-body shutter which is also the film advance button. Only bulb mode is used via a cable release attached to the lens. The camera therefore not only requires batteries but is likely to fail at the weak point of the electronic shutter (there are also connecting wires and contacts).

I do not have this camera but have wanted to buy one for several years. All my other cameras as 100% mechanical (500 C/M, Horseman Convertible, etc.).

Does anyone have experience with this camera? I can't imagine there is any way to get around this is there? I would love to be able to attach a shutter release to the lens (the film release has a shutter release attachment too). This way I could use it without any batteries, although this would make handholding, if someone is crazy enough to do that, a bit harder.

Any advice would be great. Ideally, I would love to hear from people with this actual camera (GX not G of course).

Thank you

A relevant part from the manual. There are a few other sections.
"Shutter Copal No. 0 interlens shutter, B, 1 - 1/500 sec., manual cocking, magnetic release for 1 - 1/500-sec. shutter speeds by pressing down body-side shutter release, mechanical release for B (Bulb) shots shutter-side release lever, X-contact for all-shutter-speed synchronization."

 

[sugna]

Edit: For reference as this information is not available online, I tested one and a mechanical cable release does in fact override the shutter at all speeds

 

[mshchem]

Edit: For reference as this information is not available online, I tested one and a mechanical cable release does in fact override the shutter at all speeds

I've got a G617 great old camera. I found out the first time out with the camera that, again for clarity, the first generation fully mechanical camera, that you need to make sure to fully press the release. First you will hear the body frame counter clack, then you will hear the leaf shutter release. I'm sure a service person could get these a bit better, but it works fine for me.
I almost went nuts for a full set of lenses and a GX617 body. I would have been skinned alive by my wife.

 

[sugna]

I've got a G617 great old camera. I found out the first time out with the camera that, again for clarity, the first generation fully mechanical camera, that you need to make sure to fully press the release. First you will hear the body frame counter clack, then you will hear the leaf shutter release. I'm sure a service person could get these a bit better, but it works fine for me.
I almost went nuts for a full set of lenses and a GX617 body. I would have been skinned alive by my wife.

The process with the second generation, the GX617, is the same: you level, compose, meter then you attach the cable release, cock the shutter, take the photo, press the film advance button (which doubles as the electronic shutter), then advance.