Finally got a "Texas Leica"

c41 · Jun 28, 2017

Thanks. Sorry for the diversion.

Please don't let me pull us off track from a newly acquired Fuji G690 BL and CJ's awesome shots to date with it.
Great subject by the way. 'Blind men' in a field. I've never seen this VR type thing before.

DREW WILEY · Jun 29, 2017

I bought a GW690ii last yr for old age use. It's the smallest camera I typically use; but I'm very pleased with the results, esp for bad weather when view cameras become kites. It handhelds more steady than a Nikon, at least for me.

Colorado CJ · Jul 9, 2017

I just got back from a trip to Minnesota to see the family. On the way, I stopped by Devils Tower to stretch the legs and do a little photography for a half hour or so.

I mainly used my X100S and an IR filter (I REALLY like shooting in IR and digital is just easier and cheaper), I know, bad word .

Well, I developed and scanned in the roll I shot through my Fuji G690BL medium format camera. These were all shot on Across 100 and developed in Pyrocat MC for 12.5 minutes. Scanned in with an Epson V750 Pro negative scanner.

The light in these wasn't the best. I waited a little for the right light with my digital IR images. For these images I just snapped the photos without waiting for good light, and it shows.

G690BL Roll 3 - 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Roll 3 - 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Roll 3 - 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

My folks and nephew

G690BL Roll 3 - 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Here's one action shot from the roll. The G690BL actually worked very well for this. I just prefocused and tracked my nephew, tripping the shutter when he got to the prefocused area. I couldn't do this near as easily with my other medium format cameras!

G690BL Roll 3 - 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Harry Stevens · Jul 11, 2017

Now I will be playing with my mash potato for the next two weeks.....

Ai Print · Jul 11, 2017

I had a Fuji 690 for about a month in 2005. I never could take to the RF approach to shooting medium format since I prefer to precisely frame such a nice sized negative so I sold it without regret.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 12, 2017

mark said:
drool. Always wanted one of those.

had one but sold it because ,I didn't like the flimsy plastic; got a Mamiya 6 instead; no regrets.

Colorado CJ · Jul 13, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
had one but sold it because ,I didn't like the flimsy plastic; got a Mamiya 6 instead; no regrets.

If you didn't like the flimsy plastic, I suggest you look at the older interchangeable lens models. The bodies are a hefty chunk of brass, nothing flimsy about them at all.

toyotadesigner · Jul 15, 2017

The series III of the 6x9 Fuji cameras are made of brass or some other metal, like the previous versions. The only difference is the coating / cover with some soft plastic. Put all versions onto a precise scale and you will see that the mystery statement 'plastic camera' is absolutely BS.

DREW WILEY · Jul 15, 2017

It took me some practice to get used to a RF, but now I'm so pleased with the prints from my Fuji 6x9 that I'm seriously thinking about getting another one while clean units are still fairly common. I particularly like the 2 : 3 aspect ratio, vs 6x7.

Prest_400 · Jul 15, 2017

Curiously enough I have managed to get some not quite planned but spot on framing sometimes. TLRs have parallax too. In a way, RF frees up carrying a "pig" mirror plus prism assembly but sometimes I'd wish for WYSIWYG.
It basically is a texas sized 35mm. Some people argue about aspect ratios but it is the same as 35mm... Although 8 on 120 and sone subject matter makes rolls happen too fast.
I'd wish for a 2004 like film selection: Cheap 220 would be a blessing with these!

I have the 90mm version which is very useful, the GSW is a logical option.
The Polycarbonate is mighty robust, with some creaking around the grip in my unit mkI and mkII IIRC may be hard plastic that seems metal.

macfred · Jul 15, 2017

The only flimsy plastic part on my GW670iii is the in-built lens hood (even though it is efficient).

RalphLambrecht · Jul 16, 2017

tim_walls said:
I'll tell you for nothing - I'm looking forward to when you get to use it for real, because for "nothing special" I really like all of these (particularly the engine block picture, lovely tones and contrast.)

+1 on the engine block picture; real good shot!

phrons · Jul 18, 2017

Colorado CJ said:
I just got back from a trip to Minnesota to see the family. On the way, I stopped by Devils Tower to stretch the legs and do a little photography for a half hour or so.

I mainly used my X100S and an IR filter (I REALLY like shooting in IR and digital is just easier and cheaper), I know, bad word .

Well, I developed and scanned in the roll I shot through my Fuji G690BL medium format camera. These were all shot on Across 100 and developed in Pyrocat MC for 12.5 minutes. Scanned in with an Epson V750 Pro negative scanner.

The light in these wasn't the best. I waited a little for the right light with my digital IR images. For these images I just snapped the photos without waiting for good light, and it shows.

G690BL Roll 3 - 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Roll 3 - 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Roll 3 - 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

My folks and nephew

G690BL Roll 3 - 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Here's one action shot from the roll. The G690BL actually worked very well for this. I just prefocused and tracked my nephew, tripping the shutter when he got to the prefocused area. I couldn't do this near as easily with my other medium format cameras!

G690BL Roll 3 - 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Beautiful... I really like rangefinder shooting. You are tempting me to make a decision that will cause some problems at home!

Charles B · Aug 2, 2017

These are awesome! I'm looking to get into MF rangefinder photography, but coming from a Leica M7, I'm a bit worried the weight may become an issue when walking around all day. Any comments on what it's like to travel with?

Cheers,
Charles

Colorado CJ said:
I just got back from a trip to Minnesota to see the family. On the way, I stopped by Devils Tower to stretch the legs and do a little photography for a half hour or so.

I mainly used my X100S and an IR filter (I REALLY like shooting in IR and digital is just easier and cheaper), I know, bad word .

Well, I developed and scanned in the roll I shot through my Fuji G690BL medium format camera. These were all shot on Across 100 and developed in Pyrocat MC for 12.5 minutes. Scanned in with an Epson V750 Pro negative scanner.

The light in these wasn't the best. I waited a little for the right light with my digital IR images. For these images I just snapped the photos without waiting for good light, and it shows.

G690BL Roll 3 - 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Roll 3 - 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Roll 3 - 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

My folks and nephew

G690BL Roll 3 - 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Here's one action shot from the roll. The G690BL actually worked very well for this. I just prefocused and tracked my nephew, tripping the shutter when he got to the prefocused area. I couldn't do this near as easily with my other medium format cameras!

G690BL Roll 3 - 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

toyotadesigner · Aug 2, 2017

My GW 690 III with a Manfrotto PL 410 Adapter, lens cap, cold shoe and an additional 2 way level plus a Neoprene shoulder strap weighs 1.661 grams or 58.5 ounces or 3.5 US pounds. The Neoprene strap dampens the weight on the shoulder on long walks. It never bothers me.

Sjixxxy · Aug 2, 2017

Charles B said:
These are awesome! I'm looking to get into MF rangefinder photography, but coming from a Leica M7, I'm a bit worried the weight may become an issue when walking around all day. Any comments on what it's like to travel with?

Cheers,
Charles

I second the Neoprene strap. Those things are magic for all slightly heavier cameras.

DREW WILEY · Aug 2, 2017

It's lighter than many 35mm SLR kits. No big deal.

Colorado CJ · Sep 9, 2017

Guess I'll update this thread with a little color.

Ektar that is.

Shot up the canyon while showing my cousin around. Developed in a batch of Unicolor C41.

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 6 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 7 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Ektar Roll 1 - G690BL 8 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

This was my first roll of Ektar through the camera. I'm still getting used to scanning in color negative film, it is a little different than scanning B&W film.

Here's the last shot from the Acros 100 I had in the camera before switching over to Ektar, gives a little idea of the difference color and B&W has in the same (or nearly) shot.

RMNP 6 Aug 2017 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

macfred · Sep 9, 2017

Beautiful photographs, Andrew! Thank you for sharing. Really like the Ektar shots - the one with Acros is superb!

pbromaghin · Sep 9, 2017

niiiice.

mshchem · Sep 9, 2017

I have a GW690III, GSW 690 III, and a GW690II. I have other medium format cameras, SLRS, the go to camera for outdoors are the rangefinders. Huge negative. Beautiful pictures. Ektar really pops. Great job

Daire Quinlan · Oct 4, 2017

Just got a G690 from the auction site, sold as a €100 parts camera because the darkslide was all mangled so after a bit of reading up I took a punt on it. Got it home, snipped off the two darkslide tapes, both of which were torn out of their takeup spools, straightened up the brass lip of the darkslide curtain and carefully slid it back into it's slot, then hit the 'retract' and with a bit of gentle pressure it popped back into the back of the camera, ne'er to be seen again. Otherwise it's perfect, shutter speeds spot on, lens clean, rangefinder clear and accurate, so I'm feeling pretty chuffed

jmlynek · Oct 4, 2017

This "Texas" thing is getting a little tiresome. FYI, Ontario is 1.5 times larger than Texas and Quebec is 2.2 times larger. Time to find another "big" place ;-)

Mainecoonmaniac · Oct 4, 2017

The lenses are razor sharp. My impression is that the older ones are heavier and the newer version III is lighter and have more plastic than the more solid all metal first versions. I like their simplicity.

Sjixxxy · Oct 4, 2017

jmlynek said:
This "Texas" thing is getting a little tiresome. FYI, Ontario is 1.5 times larger than Texas and Quebec is 2.2 times larger. Time to find another "big" place ;-)

Behold! My Siberian Leica!

Finally got a "Texas Leica"

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