Fuji GF670

Bormental · May 6, 2020

I have been looking to get into medium format for a while, but the weight and serviceability of the equipment were my primary concerns. Until I discovered the existence of Fuji GF670, also known as Voightlander Bessa III. Everything about it looks perfect on paper: my favorite focal length, weight, new-ish construction, Fuji optics, silent shutter, rangefinder focusing, etc etc etc...

The camera is in the mail. While I haven't received it yet, based on the photos my copy appears to be in nearly brand-new shape and comes with generous return policy, so I'm not worried short-term.

I do, however, worry about the following line in JCH's review:
"There is also of course the care required with handling any camera involving bellows. TLC is required even for a relatively newish camera like the Fuji GF670"

I am assuming that "TLC" here means "Tighten, Lubricate, Clean". This sounds a tiny bit scarier than a mysterious "Leica CLA" (never done it for my 20 y.o. M6 TTL) because of the bellows.What's there to "lubricate"? Clean with what?

What kind of maintenance should I expect to be doing? I managed to find the manual for the camera and it doesn't mention any kind of maintenance at all. I don't even know how to detect the presence of pinholes in the bellows! Reduced contrast?

Any operational tips from the folder owners will be highly appreciated.
Thank you!

Grim Tuesday · May 6, 2020

Hi Bornmental, TLC is not a camera-hobby-specific acronym like CLA but an english* expression that means Tender Love and Care. Treat the bellows tenderly, with love and care is what JCH is saying in that review, and they will not need maintenance any time soon!

*english as in the language, not the country

Bormental · May 6, 2020

Haha... That's great news for two reasons:

I learned something new today.
No special maintenance required.

Thanks!

shutterfinger · May 6, 2020

Maintenance is rarely mentioned in an instruction manual. Pin holes in the bellows will cause light streaks across the image, secondary images, or lower overall contrast in the image.

Clean the exterior of the body and bellows regularly with a cleaner suitable for the covering of the body and the bellows. Common household cleaners such as Pledge Furniture Polish or Windex are safe to use on Leatherette or Leather.
Only use cleaners on the lens specifically made for camera lens.

Grim Tuesday · May 6, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Maintenance is rarely mentioned in an instruction manual. Pin holes in the bellows will cause light streaks across the image, secondary images, or lower overall contrast in the image.

Clean the exterior of the body and bellows regularly with a cleaner suitable for the covering of the body and the bellows. Common household cleaners such as Pledge Furniture Polish or Windex are safe to use on Leatherette or Leather.
Only use cleaners on the lens specifically made for camera lens.

I would not consider using any windex or furniture polish on bellows, it seems far too harsh and unnecessary.

abruzzi · May 6, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
I would not consider using any windex or furniture polish on bellows, it seems far too harsh and unnecessary.

yeah, I would just use a damp, lint-free rag to clean the bellows of dust. Harsher contaminants demand harsher cleaners though.

MattKing · May 6, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
TLC is not a camera-hobby-specific acronym like CLA but an english* expression that means Tender Love and Care.

I know it as "Tender Loving Care", but that may just be due to geographical differences.
Enjoy your camera.

Grim Tuesday · May 6, 2020

MattKing said:
I know it as "Tender Loving Care", but that may just be due to geographical differences.
Enjoy your camera.

We all get to learn something today! From googling, it seems that some people besides myself agree with my version, but most agree with yours. I suspect mine came from a mis-hearing of Tender Lovin' Care as Tender Love 'N Care, and it just took off from there! Especially since we all use the acronym form, there is never a chance for anyone to correct the misunderstanding. I guess most people only have to ask once, and whatever someone tells them that one time they keep for the rest of their life. Unless they read a post about it on a photography forum...

shutterfinger · May 6, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
I would not consider using any windex or furniture polish on bellows, it seems far too harsh and unnecessary.

I use these products on XXX Moroccan leather covered cameras and they Do No Harm. A slightly moist cloth is likely all that is needed for light dust, damp is too wet.

gijsbert · May 7, 2020

I have actually never though of this before, but would it be better to keep my folders open instead of closed while not in use to not compress the bellows all the time?

Have fun with your GF670, it's a great camera! My only gripe is not being able to leave a filter on when you close it.

nbagno · May 7, 2020

Love mine. It always amuses me when I hear people talk about the silent shutter. It's silent alright, just don't try to advance the film in a quiet place, everyone will hear it.

guangong · May 7, 2020

My only complaint with my GF670 is that that the shutter is tooooo quiet and toooo smooth, to the point that frequently I am never sure that shutter was fired.
Other than that, a remarkable camera. Bought mine as the last one for a BH closeout. Make sure to get lens shade, which is necessary for easily mounting filters. Mounting filters directly onto lens means that camera can not be closed. I forget whether camera came with case, but the soft case will offer some protection.
I wouldn’t worry about bellows on such a recently manufactured camera. However, treat camera with TLC because, as reported, Fuji no longer services these cameras. If anyone knows differently, please let us know.

Bormental · May 7, 2020

guangong said:
Make sure to get lens shade, which is necessary for easily mounting filters. Mounting filters directly onto lens means that camera can not be closed.

Sorry, not following. Are you saying there's a lens hood (I assume that's what you mean by "shade") which can be quickly attached to this lens, and allows standard screw-mount filters on the open end? That would be great! Which one do you use?

nbagno · May 7, 2020

Filters screw into this lens hood https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/678964-REG/Fujifilm_16019106_Lens_Hood_for_GF670.html

Bormental · May 7, 2020

Nice! Thank you, nbagno.

DREW WILEY · May 7, 2020

Due to the bellows, it's not a camera I'd take out in a blizzard or downpour. And due to its price, not in a dust storm or riot either. It's a camera I'd use, but pamper.

guangong · May 8, 2020

I don’t believe that there are many cameras that I would take out in a blizzard or downpour, but I have used my Super Ikonta B and my Fuji GF in light rain and snow, along with all of the other cameras I use. I hold camera close while wearing a broad rimmed cowboy hat to deflect rain/snow and wipe off cameras when finished. For really windy wet crappy weather I do use my Contax clone cheap Kiev. For MF, Medalist is my bad weather friend.

Huss · May 8, 2020

Bad weather etc I use one of my Nikonos cameras.

guangong · May 8, 2020

Huss said:
Bad weather etc I use one of my Nikonos cameras.

Nikon’s is without a doubt the best choice of all. Sometimes I wish I had one.

Randy Stewart · May 8, 2020

"Clean the exterior of the body and bellows regularly with a cleaner suitable for the covering of the body and the bellows. Common household cleaners such as Pledge Furniture Polish or Windex are safe to use on Leatherette or Leather.
Only use cleaners on the lens specifically made for camera lens."

I hope you have more common sense than this poster. Do not use household cleaners on your bellows. There is no protective or preventive maintenance requires on the bellows, unless something happens to damage the material. Fuji's previous bellows camera was the GS645 folder from 1982. Fuji used a bellows made of a plastic covering stiffening ribs rather than leather. Like many plastics put in cameras in that era, it aged out and started cracking with any use. Fuji replaced a lot of bellows on that model, and they were all leather.

All of the chat about extra care for the GF670 is just that when open for shooting, the camera is more vulnerable to physical damage or getting wet than any camera which is fully enclosed. The GF670 has acquired a record of several short-comings over its short life. As a new user, you should search those out to avoid issues.

Bormental · May 9, 2020

Ugh... maybe I've celebrated prematurely. The camera got stuck in customs and the homeland security is requesting me to fill out a "Importer Identity Form". I have zero interest dealing with the government, so I'll be requesting FedEx to send it back to the seller. Interestingly, two other japanese cameras I bought from eBay were delivered just fine. I guess there's a lottery we're playing when buying from Japan.

shutterfinger · May 9, 2020

Bormental said:
Ugh... maybe I've celebrated prematurely. The camera got stuck in customs and the homeland security is requesting me to fill out a "Importer Identity Form". I have zero interest dealing with the government, so I'll be requesting FedEx to send it back to the seller

Depends on the seller and what form of shipping they choose to use. FedEX is covering their a__.
Similar concern https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/5106-form.174778/

MattKing · May 9, 2020

If it is like Canada, it is most likely they are just trying to ensure that yours is not a commercial importation - businesses that import goods for commercial purposes have additional responsibilities that individuals who import personal use goods do not.
There may also be duties due - the fact that they don't always collect them doesn't mean that the law doesn't provide for them.
Customs duties are a significant source of revenue for most governments, and help pay for the things that governments do.

Bormental · May 9, 2020

I cannot know for sure what they need my social security for. Generally, I avoid dealing with the government unless I'm forced to. I told Fedex that I do not believe in filling out forms to receive a 17 year old used photo camera and if this cannot be resolved without me reporting my SSN, the package should go back to the sender.

MattKing · May 9, 2020

Bormental said:
I cannot know for sure what they need my social security for. Generally, I avoid dealing with the government unless I'm forced to. I told Fedex that I do not believe in filling out forms to receive a 17 year old used photo camera and if this cannot be resolved without me reporting my SSN, the package should go back to the sender.

That is too bad, because you are probably excluding yourself from the opportunity to import most high value items.

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