Advantage of 6x8 over 6x7?

[trendland]

Fuji did indeed run an interesting line up that complemented well:
Fuji GW680 and GW690, then the P&S "half frame" GA645's. I have a GW and it is infact quite a nice implementation of 6x9 for a handholdable machine, and infact seems rather lighter than some basic 645 SLR kits. The 6x9 "brownie" format as you mention was much more popular early 20th century and not so much later on, curiously sharing the ubiquitous 2:3 aspect ratio of 35mm.

As perfect format perhaps I'd name 6x6, because of mathematical optimization "square as an optimum" and a good ratio of shots/roll in 120.


To note 6x9 is half of 4x5 but the rationale of working with roll film is totally different, as well as the (lower) costs. The Fuji GW series were discontinued in mid 2000s and still plenty available. Infact, I chose one because it was modern (in the sense of being 20 year old or so). Strangely, it is one of the largest medium formats but due to lack of model cult it is rather cheap and available. One caveat of this camera is that its 35mm factor is rather manageable and swift to use, sometimes making 8 exposures too few. Sadly 220 is no more.

Matt - I held it in my hand at a proffesional store in 2002 (the Fuji 6X9)
but the price was nearly $ 4000,- at this time if I remember correct.
But it was great - just to have a look in it.
Some time later - 1-2 years it was discontinued from Fuji.

with regards

(It I remember right there were 4 models:
GW 680/GW 690 GSW 680/GW 690 - the difference was the lens )

 

[Dan Fromm]

Then, technically some 6x9 is closer to the "nominal" 6x8. 56x82mm IIRC.

Fuji's interpretation of 6x8 is 56x76. You might be thinking of late Graflex 2x3 roll holders with a pin roller at each end of the gate. These beasties have gates that are 56x78.

 

[trendland]

Sorry Prest 400 I am just notice it was you.......because your avartar is a little
simular to the avartar of Matt King.
Well I need my other glasses.

With regards

 

[narsuitus]

(It I remember right there were 4 models:
GW 680/GW 690 GSW 680/GW 690 - the difference was the lens )

I have a GSW 690 (6x9cm with 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens)

 

[trendland]

I have a GSW 690 (6x9cm with 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens)

If I remember the Fuji has got a counter to films - so let me ask is it to each frame
or does it counts each single film you shot.
with regards

 

[Maris]

Thank you itsdoable and Roger Thoms. The PrintFile-3HB will indeed hold 9 6x8 negatives. That's my filing problem solved. I should have been thinking more laterally!

 

[DREW WILEY]

I was out shooting my Fuji GW690ii rangefinder yesterday. The same basic camera with 90mm fixed lens exists in 6x7, 6x8, and like mine, 6x9. Then there's a parallel superwide GSW series with a 65mm fixed lens. The big Fuji studio SLR 6x8 is a completely different system.

 

[Vaughn]

If I remember the Fuji has got a counter to films - so let me ask is it to each frame
or does it counts each single film you shot.
with regards

It counts rolls of film.

 

[Roger Thoms]

It counts rolls of film.

It actually counts shutter actuations, every 10 is 1 on the counter. Which is roughly a roll of film unless you have 220 loaded.

Roger

 

[trendland]

It actually counts shutter actuations, every 10 is 1 on the counter. Which is roughly a roll of film unless you have 220 loaded.

Roger

Thats not

 

[trendland]

It actually counts shutter actuations, every 10 is 1 on the counter. Which is roughly a roll of film unless you have 220 loaded.

Roger

Thats not a bad think if one is looking forward to buy a used Fuji Gw/Gsw.

So it makes a difference to have a GSW
at about $ 399,- with a counter : 2187
or the alternate to $ 459,- wich indicates
0027 ....

with regards

 

[trendland]

I was out shooting my Fuji GW690ii rangefinder yesterday. The same basic camera with 90mm fixed lens exists in 6x7, 6x8, and like mine, 6x9. Then there's a parallel superwide GSW series with a 65mm fixed lens. The big Fuji studio SLR 6x8 is a completely different system.

Yes thats the GX 680 - a colleague bought this system - most in use for architecture.
He showed me the camera : It is normaly impossible to use it without tripod.
So it is No handheld camera
But the main reason to me to have it not
THE PRICE ....
If you can afford the GX 680 you can't
afford the lenses.
But it is a very great system with a nice film support.

with regards

 

[trendland]

It counts rolls of film.

Vaughn - what I can't believe if we are looking to such a lot of nice Fuji cameras is the todays policy of Fuji.
The are involved in production of cosmetics?
And therefore they don't care about their films?
Up to this point I was sure japanese are most proud to stick to proven traditions?
...
with regards

 

[Vaughn]

Well, something going back only to 1934 is not a long tradition by Japanese standards. There is a 900 years old Sake company and a 1400 year old building company.

What I had trouble believing is a camera line that requires one to advance the film or cock the shutter to end one's "T" exposure!

 

[ntenny]

Thats not a bad think if one is looking forward to buy a used Fuji Gw/Gsw.

So it makes a difference to have a GSW
at about $ 399,- with a counter : 2187
or the alternate to $ 459,- wich indicates
0027 ....

with regards

Of course, it's always possible the lighter-used one is that way because it's a lemon!

-NT

 

[miha]

Don't forget Linhof's "Ideal Format", 56x72.

I took the vernier scale to measure the opening of my 6x7 Linhof Super Rollex back and it measures 55.5mm x 72mm.

 

[Roger Thoms]

What I had trouble believing is a camera line that requires one to advance the film or cock the shutter to end one's "T" exposure!

Yeah that's definitely a stupid design, but it like really like the camera so I put up with it. Basically I avoid long exposures, got plenty of other cameras for that.

Roger

 

[DREW WILEY]

The Fuji RF does have its idiosyncrasies. But it is so light and portable that it's easy enough to toss in the same pack as a do-it-all view camera. Unfortunately, I hand-mixed too many sacks of concrete the other day just before lugging that pack, so next time out I'll be toting the Fuji by itself (still kinda sore)!

 

[RattyMouse]

With 6x8, you get ten frames per roll. Ten is a nice, round number.

I get 10 frames on my Fuji GF670 & GF670W. Those are 6 x 7 cameras.

 

[RattyMouse]

Yes thats the GX 680 - a colleague bought this system - most in use for architecture.
He showed me the camera : It is normaly impossible to use it without tripod.
So it is No handheld camera
But the main reason to me to have it not
THE PRICE ....
If you can afford the GX 680 you can't
afford the lenses.
But it is a very great system with a nice film support.

with regards

The GX680 and lenses are dirt cheap today. Very very cheap, at least in the USA. But since the camera is so unwieldy, very few people buy it even at the bargain basement prices of today.

 

[RattyMouse]

Well, something going back only to 1934 is not a long tradition by Japanese standards. There is a 900 years old Sake company and a 1400 year old building company.

What I had trouble believing is a camera line that requires one to advance the film or cock the shutter to end one's "T" exposure!

Just put the lens cap on the camera to end the exposure. That's what I always did. Worked easily.

 

[RattyMouse]

Vaughn - what I can't believe if we are looking to such a lot of nice Fuji cameras is the todays policy of Fuji.
The are involved in production of cosmetics?
And therefore they don't care about their films?
Up to this point I was sure japanese are most proud to stick to proven traditions?
...
with regards

The only film that Fujifilm cares about is INSTAX. That is a smash hit for them and makes more money than their digital camera line. The rest of their films are baggage, to be milked for all that they are worth and then discontinued.

 

[trendland]

The GX680 and lenses are dirt cheap today. Very very cheap, at least in the USA. But since the camera is so unwieldy, very few people buy it even at the bargain basement prices of today.

The GX680 and lenses are dirt cheap today. Very very cheap, at least in the USA. But since the camera is so unwieldy, very few people buy it even at the bargain basement prices of today.

Yes RattyMouse - it may be quite cheap today I should check this.
But with regarding some cameras I was involved at the last time with the chance to by a new system (unused in original cartons) sometimes between 2002 -2005. Therefore the comparison of High prices ...much to high to me in this mentioned past.


with regards

A good japaneese tradition is hara-kiri !
To companies leaders nowadays it has
changed - but why?

 

[RattyMouse]

Yes RattyMouse - it may be quite cheap today I should check this.
But with regarding some cameras I was involved at the last time with the chance to by a new system (unused in original cartons) sometimes between 2002 -2005. Therefore the comparison of High prices ...much to high to me in this mentioned past.


with regards

A good japaneese tradition is hara-kiri !
To companies leaders nowadays it has
changed - but why?

KEH has the GX680II camera body for all of $133 right now!

They have the GX680III for all of $400.

Now that is CHEAP.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The viewfinder window is easily scratched or fogged up. Often this "haze" has little functional effect unless it is really bad. But it will affect selling price, so read the fine print. I purchased a compromise unit. A sky filter had been over the taking lens the entire time, so the lens itself was flawless - not even any dust. The inside of the camera was also immaculate. I was able to polish off at least some of the viewfinder haze. But a cable release tip had broken off in the button and significantly lowered the price. It took me about five minutes to fix that with a simple hardware store "easy-out".