Fuji 680 GX Pro Camera Vs Fuji 690 Rangefinder

Roger Thoms said:

The GX680 is a beast, with three lenses, two backs, compendium hood, light meter, etc, the whole kit weighs in a backpack weights 26 pounds. I use a Ries J100 tripod with a J250 head so add another 13 pounds. The camera itself with a lens is about 10 pound, and physically as big as a 4x5. That being said, I absolutely love the camera, it’s a pleasure to use and I bought it specifically for the perspective control and for the great selection of lenses and accessories.


Roger

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Cripes. Why not just bring a 4x5? My Chamonix 4x5 weighs less than my Nikon D850. You can use an almost unlimited number of lenses on it. You don't need backs--each shot can be whatever film you want. Many more movements than the 680, and the clincher is if you want to shoot 6x9 just throw a 6x9 (or 6x12) back on it. We tend to make things too complicated.


Kent in SD

it's already been mostly said, the 680 was a pure studio camera with next to nothing on offer for field work given its overall size and weight, especially with some accessories / add ons one would need in the field vs. a 4x5 with superior movements and lens choices on top of larger negative and film type per frame flexibility. So if this is about working in the field 680 gives nothing over 4x5, in fact it loses in spades. the GW690 is the way to go for its negative, and gear simplicity especially with fixed lens bodies where there is nothing else to think of, just camera, meter and film (and tripod which would be the case for any of these).

Makiflex Standard 125mm F3.2 GX680 Tiltall Tripod by Nokton48, on Flickr

I REALLY like the GX680 lenses, so over time I have hacked them to my 6x9 Plaubel Makiflex cameras. The Makiflex looks heavy, but it's actually not (much lighter than GX680 body) and has a smoooth braked release with absolutely no vibration. The Makiflex is a 9x9cm SLR from the early 1960s.

GX680 Completed 180mm 125mm F3.2 Makiflex by Nokton48, on Flickr

On the left is the 180mm GX680 F3.2 lens, and on the right, the 125mm GX680 F3.2

These cameras can be easily Handheld.