Add a Fuji GSW690 to a GW690 III ?

toyotadesigner · Jan 8, 2007

I already own a Fuji GW690 III with a 3.5/90mm lens.

Now I have a chance to acquire the wide angle sister, the GSW 690 III with a 5.6/65mm lens.

I'm shooting portraits, architecture and landscape with the 6x9, and I have a Manfrotto panorama head to stitch 2 or 3 images together.

I'm not sure if the angle of the GSW is so much larger compared to the GW. Doing the math it sould be a plus of 50% for the angle, but maybe one of you already owns both of them and can give me some advice?

I've read that the viewfinder features a barrel distortion, and the lens barrel is in the way when composing an image...<sigh>

David Brown · Jan 8, 2007

I have the same two focal lengths on my 6x7 Mamiya RB. In 35mm equivalents, it's the difference between and "normal" 50mm and about a 35mm lens. I doubt it would get much use in portraits, but for landscapes, I think you might like it.

I have the Fuji 645, and it is the sharpest lens on any camera I own. I'm a bit envious.

Peter De Smidt · Jan 8, 2007

I have a Fuji GW 670 III 90mm, and a GSW 690 III 65mm; and I love both of them. The GSW does have a little barrel distortion in the viewfinder, and the lens blocks some of the view, but in practice I haven't found these to be a big deal. For landscape/architecture, I prefer the GSW. On the first page of my site, www.desmidt.net , the London Eye and British Museum photographs were taken with the GSW.

Lee L · Jan 8, 2007

I have the GW690II. The 90mm is equivalent to a 40mm lens on 35mm film and the 65 is within a degree or two of a 28mm equivalent. I find the Fuji finder a bit foggy and small compared to my other rangefinders, so I use a Cosina Voigtlander 40mm hot shoe finder for a larger, brighter image. You might find that a 28mm bright line hot shoe finder for 35mm alleviates the problems with the GSW finder. The only inconvenience is the separate focus / frame setup, but I don't find that a problem in the way I work with the Fuji.

Lee

David Brown · Jan 8, 2007

Lee L said:
I have the GW690II. The 90mm is equivalent to a 40mm lens on 35mm film and the 65 is within a degree or two of a 28mm equivalent.

Lee

Lee, you're correct. I was thinking 6x7, when the OP was talking about 6x9. Doh! :rolleyes:

erikg · Jan 8, 2007

I have both, they have been my main machines over the last few years. On 6x9 the difference is more like the difference between a 35 and a 28. As Peter said, there are those issues that you mentioned, and the lens is slower than the 90mm but I haven't found anything too difficult to work with. I feel that to be able to handhold a camera that produces such a great large neg more than makes up for any small issues. Only you can know if the wider view will be useful for what you do, but I have found the 65mm very handy at times. It is an excellent lens, just like the 90mm that you are familiar with.

papagene · Jan 8, 2007

I have the GW670 II along with the GSW690 III and love using them. They make a good combo... really sharp lenses. I have not had any trouble with the viewfinders as I am such a slooooow shooter it really doesn't matter.
So I say go ahead and get the GSW690 III... you won't regret it at all.

gene

Lee L · Jan 8, 2007

David Brown said:
Lee, you're correct. I was thinking 6x7, when the OP was talking about 6x9. Doh! :rolleyes:

David,

I assumed you were just talking about relative angles between the 90 and 65, not 35mm equivalents, so I wasn't really thinking of my post as a correction, just additional info. I already had a 40mm bright line finder for my rangefinders and realized it might do well with the 690GWII, then ran the numbers, and it's within a degree or so and the correct aspect ratio as well. The auxiliary finder allows me to see much more of what's going on in the frame, especially with smaller moving objects in landscapes.

The 90mm on my 690 was the first MF lens that I saw results from that rivalled my 35mm lenses in absolute resolution and contrast.

Lee

luvcameras · Jan 9, 2007

Get 'em all. These are really wonderful picture takers. I created a Fuji 6x7 and 6x9 Camera Page here:

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fuji670.htm

-Current Owner of a Fuji GA645ZI and Fuji GSW690II

nworth · Jan 10, 2007

Get the GSW. I started with the GW690III and quickly added the GSW690III. They now travel together in a backpack, and they make a great pair. I do a lot of scenics (Utah, you know), and the wide angle lens is often a necessity. The 65 mm lens is like a 28 mm on a 35 mm camera, and it fills the need very well. The lens is of excellent quality, although it only opens up to f/5.6. The box is identical for both the GW and GSW, so operation is the same. Some people are a bit confused by the fact that you can see part of the lens in the viewfinder on the GSW, but you quickly get used to that.

toyotadesigner · Jan 10, 2007

Thanks a lot for your input! I think I will give it a try because this model is like new with a counter of 015 - hard to find these days. If worst comes to worst I can always offer it for sale here

nworth: I'm a bit envious about your location! Geez, I wish I could spend a few weeks in your area...

BTW, just by coincidence I've discovered that you can use the right angle finder and all viewfinder accessories of a Nikon FE2 on the Fuji GW690 III as well! This makes shots close to the ground a lot easier.

The idea with the viewfinder of a Bessa is appealing. I've already contacted a dealer in Europe - he offers a brand new 40mm viewfinder for 149 Euros.

Again, thank you very much for your help.

narsuitus · Jan 10, 2007

I own and use the Fuji GW670 III (normal lens) and the Fuji GSW690 III (wide-angle lens) for scenics, architectural shots when I do not need perspective control, and weddings. Both are great cameras. I only wish Fuji had made a version with a telephoto lens that was suitable for head and shoulder portraits. The normal lens is good for full-length and group portraits. The wide-angle is good for large group portraits (over 25 people) but for my taste, it produces too much distortion for smaller group shots.

PKM-25 · Jan 13, 2007

toyotadesigner said:
Thanks a lot for your input! I think I will give it a try because this model is like new with a counter of 015 - hard to find these days. If worst comes to worst I can always offer it for sale here

It wasn't this one, was it?

http://www.geocities.com/antjam65/GSW690III.html

If so....sorry, pounced on the Fuji. It was either the 690 or a Fotoman...:rolleyes:

toyotadesigner · Jan 18, 2007

Nope, it is another one

The counter shows 022 - almost brand new in absolutely mint condition.

Add a Fuji GSW690 to a GW690 III ?

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