Fuji Gf 670 Repair

[film_man]

Fujifilm's current mirrorless camera, the X-T1 is $1300 without a lens. I bought my GF670 new for $1600, so it's really in the same ball park. The X-T1 is a consumer grade camera, not pro gear by any measure. Even an X-E2 with a lens will be close to a GF670 in price.

I'll agree that £1600-1800 (what it retailed here new) or $1600 for a brand new medium format camera is not much and it certainly is more affordable than an equivalent Hasselblad kit in new prices. However $1600 is still $1600 (just like £1800 is even more) and I would not consider the price point in the "affordable" aka "cheap build" category. Additionally if you look at the 2nd hand market these go for around £1000-1200 which is more than enough to build an entire 35mm system, a small large format system and to buy pretty much anything in medium format except some exotics like the SWC and FE Hasselblads, a Contax 645 and the newer AF Mamiyas.

Anyway, we're just splitting hairs here.

 

[film_man]

Saying all the above...it just shows how lucky we are nowadays, for £1000 you can pretty much buy any pro film gear you want! I love digital

 

[Pioneer]

I never considered that the Voigtlander Bessa III/Fuji GF670 were cheaply built. They are actually quite well built and incorporate a lot of new technology that never existed in the old folding camera days. Just the ability to fold in and out makes them a bit more delicate than cameras that don't do this, but it also makes them a lot more compact as well.

It is almost amusing to read these threads. A few people, very few in comparison to the total number sold, have some problems. They get together on a forum and start to discuss these problems. Somebody suggests that the camera must be poorly built since they are having "all" these problems. Everybody accepts it without challenge and suddenly it becomes a true statement.

But, if someone were to suggest that it was operator error in most cases, there would be a rush of indignation and denials. That could not be! It must be the manufacturer's fault! It is most certainly not my fault!

 

[Char]

Even it is the operator's error, the manufacturer should be "willing" to repair it. Now it becomes manufacturer's fault.
Fuji Japan didn't reply my inquiry about repairing my camera at all.

 

[Pioneer]

Even it is the operator's error, the manufacturer should be "willing" to repair it. Now it becomes manufacturer's fault.
Fuji Japan didn't reply my inquiry about repairing my camera at all.

Oh I agree. It is certainly beginning to look as if the GF670 has become an orphan camera. Such a terrible end for such a wonderful camera.

 

[Karl A]

I just received my GF 670 back from Fujifilm in New Jersey -- missing parts replaced, camera cleaned and repaired at no charge! Very pleased indeed with the way Fujifilm handled this. Just wanted to share the fact that they do stand behind their products!

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Excellent to hear!

I need to call Fujifilm USA myself. The only real complaint I have ever had with my GF670 is that the grease used in the focusing mechanism is too thin (not viscous enough).

If I pre-focus on a subject above me, then keep the camera pointing up while waiting to release the shutter, the lens will spontaneously creep downward (focus further away) all by itself. The grease just won't hold it in place.

I need to keep my thumb on the focusing collar to hold that focus correct. Same thing happens if I drop the camera to arm's length after pre-focusing, then suddenly raise it back up to my eye.

I'm hoping they can fix this (as a non-warranty repair) with a more appropriate grade of grease.

Ken

 

[Karl A]

Hi Ken, I noticed that also when the camera is pointed up it will slide back to infinity, especially when you have filter on it, due to the additional weight. I'm not that concerned about it, it only occasionally has been an issue. I guess I keep the camera relatively level most of the time.

However, I would definitely suggest calling Fujifilm, and the technician that works on these cameras can speak to you about it. I wouldn't mind hearing if there is a solution to this, since it could lead to out of focus pictures if you don't keep an eye on it. Keep us posted if you find out anything.

Karl

 

[nbagno]

My GF670 has the same problem, that part fell of several times and I was lucky to have found it each time. It seems it's easy to come loose especially if you use a cable release which acts like the tool needed to actually remove that part! Last time it fell off, I found rust starting to build up inside of that cavity. That's really weird since I don't use it it the rain, or have it in the bathroom when I take a shower, etc...

Just in case I want to sell it and the buyer sees this rust quote... I took a close look inside this area and it's not rust, just part of the metal. Used a tiny dab of clear nail polish to secure the screw in disc part over the shutter release.

 

[Char]

Just a shot note to update. I sent my camera to Fuji Japan through Fuji HK. It was fixed at a reasonable price.

 

[Pioneer]

Good to know Char. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[RattyMouse]

Just a shot note to update. I sent my camera to Fuji Japan through Fuji HK. It was fixed at a reasonable price.

What was wrong with your camera and how much was the cost to fix it?

 

[Char]

Pushed too hard to close the lens.

 

[Geoff A]

My GF670 has the battery drain problem - a brand new battery was dead after four rolls and two weeks of use. I called Fuji NJ and they agreed to take a look at it as they "still had SOME parts." I just sent it off. I'll post again when I've heard back from them.

 

[nbagno]

Never heard of the battery drain problem. What is this you speak of? Maybe I'll just google it :-D

 

[Geoff A]

A couple of people have remarked on it on another forum. Apparently Fuji had heard of it as well because they said they could specifically fix that problem...

 

[negreter19]

Just a shot note to update. I sent my camera to Fuji Japan through Fuji HK. It was fixed at a reasonable price.

hi Char, i have extactly the same problem, how much did it cost you to fix it in Japan? any problem with the custom?
Regards

 

[valdoo]

Pushed too hard to close the lens.

Hello to you Char,

I also happen to be in the cue for the remedy. Could you kindly share info on who you dealt with in Japan?

I also tried to contact them directly through their official web engine. They even replied, but not to me though. One or two weeks after I send my query, I had a phone call from FujiFilm Sweden. Unfortunately, the only thing they were able to provide was a contact on http://ksc.nu/ - which seems to be small camera service point for old-fashioned camera models (no mention of Fujifilm). I'm now waiting for their reply, fingers crossed...

 

[dreamingartemis]

Hi,

Just to offer my 2 cents here.

I didn't until recently had this battery drain problem mentioned but when I was in Japan and South Korea, I encountered this strange issue when after 4~6 rolls, the gf670 stopped working, only after replacing the batteries did it work again after that there has been no issue since.

Even now I am back in Malaysia and after shooting 8 rolls, the camera is still working like a trooper using the same batteries set.

Could that offer any hint of what the problem is? I would hate to think there is some underlaying issue I would need to worry about with the GF670.

 

[Char]

Sorry for my late reply. Just relocated back from Hong Kong. I took my camera to Fuji HK and they sent it to Fuji Japan. It costed me around US$400 to get it fixed. Cost to repair was not too much but Fuji HK charged me around US$150 for sending it to Japan.