Aperture ring on a Fuji GW690 - How hard to turn?

wy2l

Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Messages
208
Location
Chelmsford
Format
Medium Format
I took a hard look this weekend at a Fuji GW690 (1978 model) from a dealer I trust who said it was recently CLA'd. However, the aperture ring was difficult to turn. I did not purchase the camera because of this.

How hard should the aperture ring be to turn on a GW690? I'm comparing it to what I know best: Nikon AIS and Pentax 67 lenses. Your advise is most welcome.

Kris
 

erikg

Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Messages
1,444
Location
pawtucket rh
Format
Multi Format
It should be no harder than what you are used to on the Nikon an Pentax. Maybe it's just a simple fix that's needed but I'd question the recent CLA. Did you ask the dealer about the issue?
 
OP
OP

wy2l

Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Messages
208
Location
Chelmsford
Format
Medium Format
Did I ask the dealer about it? Yes, and he assured me it was normal. I trust the dealer's word, but did not buy because of this issue.

Kris
 

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,970
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
I would ask the dealer to send it back to the repairer who did the C.L.A. and have him slacken off the aperture ring as a condition of sale.
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,883
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
On the one I owned, the ring turned smoothly. It wasn't single finger rolling back and forth, but I wouldn't even think of using the word 'difficult' for it.
 

Richard S. (rich815)

Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2003
Messages
4,924
Location
San Francisco
Format
Multi Format
It should turn very smoothly. But that does not mean the CLA was bad. It could just be a very old and worn camera. I have a 50/1.5 Summarit that I acquired quite cheaply but with a stiff but not unusable aperture ring. I sent it to DAG for CLA. he did the work but reported back it was as loose as it was ever going to be because it was so old and worn.

Personally I'd take pass on this one unless you plan to use for slow and methodical studio or landscape work. For street or documentary style portraits or photos I cannot imagine working with such a stiff aperture ring.
 

j.c.denton

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
107
Location
Germany
Format
Medium Format
Dan Daniel said:
On the one I owned, the ring turned smoothly. It wasn't single finger rolling back and forth, but I wouldn't even think of using the word 'difficult' for it.
Click to expand...

This is probably the best description and comparable to my own experiences using a Fuji GW690II.

Christian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…