Fuji GF670W Door Failing

[RattyMouse]

My most prized camera, my Fuji GF670W seems to be developing a problem. The door is not reliably unlocking. It seems that the little release switch that allows the main switch to release the door is not working at times. I have tried and tried and tried to open the door with no luck. Then, I leave the camera for 5-10 minutes and try again, and the release works and the door pops open.

This is a big problem for me as I am pretty sure Fujifilm has washed their hands of these cameras. I bough it in Japan and the seller told me in no uncertain terms, that you have to bring the camera back to Japan if you want warranty service. That was years ago and the warranty is long gone, but I'm not going to Japan anytime soon.

Is there any chance a 3rd party person would work on this door here in the US? Probably not, but I thought I would ask. This is, by far, my most used film camera. If this one goes down, I may go with it.

 

[Svenedin]

I have a GF670 but not the wide version. I presume it has the same door. It can catch me out sometimes and be tricky to open. I can’t play with it now because there is a film in the camera. I believe that Fuji in the U.K. send them to Japan for repairs.

 

[RattyMouse]

I have a GF670 but not the wide version. I presume it has the same door. It can catch me out sometimes and be tricky to open. I can’t play with it now because there is a film in the camera. I believe that Fuji in the U.K. send them to Japan for repairs.

Yes, I have the GF670 too. It's the same door. What do you do if it is tricky to open? Nothing I do can flip the door open. The release switch doesnt move at all. Somehow waiting a bit changes something and then it opens. Why this is I do not know.

 

[Svenedin]

I just had a look at my camera. I'm sure you know this so I am just talking aloud here. The little slider has to slide towards the front of the camera to enable the larger catch to move upwards towards to the top of the camera to open the door. The little slider is acting against a spring and springs back to the locked position when released. I am unable to open the door to investigate further right now (film in camera). When mine played up a week or so ago I thought I had forgotten how to open the door but it worked after a few tries. Perhaps there is some dirt interfering with the mechanism on your camera? Maybe the spring has broken? Just guessing.

 

[Huss]

Until recently B&h was selling new Fuji GF670 cameras. Apparently Fuji had delivered to them a lost batch. About 6 months ago I aske B&H who covered warranty work.
They said Fujifilm USA. So... if Fuji covers warranty work, they can also cover non warranty work..

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...6019089_GF670_Rangefinder_Folding_Camera.html

Check under the Q&A section.

 

[RattyMouse]

I just had a look at my camera. I'm sure you know this so I am just talking aloud here. The little slider has to slide towards the front of the camera to enable the larger catch to move upwards towards to the top of the camera to open the door. The little slider is acting against a spring and springs back to the locked position when released. I am unable to open the door to investigate further right now (film in camera). When mine played up a week or so ago I thought I had forgotten how to open the door but it worked after a few tries. Perhaps there is some dirt interfering with the mechanism on your camera? Maybe the spring has broken? Just guessing.

There's film in my GF670 too! So I can't check what the inside looks as well. Time to go out and fire off those last 6 shots I suppose. I'll have it open before the weekend is out.

 

[RattyMouse]

Until recently B&h was selling new Fuji GF670 cameras. Apparently Fuji had delivered to them a lost batch. About 6 months ago I aske B&H who covered warranty work.
They said Fujifilm USA. So... if Fuji covers warranty work, they can also cover non warranty work..

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...6019089_GF670_Rangefinder_Folding_Camera.html

Check under the Q&A section.

Sadly, I'm talking about a GF670W which was never sold here. Fuji told me very clearly service in Japan only. Fuji USA told me the same thing via email.

 

[shutterfinger]

When you get the film out inspect the door for wear or burs at the latch contact and inspect the latch.
Get a can of http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-11-oz-QD-Electronic-Cleaner-05103/205021975 CRC QD Contact Cleaner. Other brands are not as good. Its available at auto parts stores and hardware stores. Lowes does not sell it.
Flush the latch mechanism and operate it while wet with the cleaner. This product is safe for the finishes, leatherette, plastics in cameras.

 

[Huss]

Sadly, I'm talking about a GF670W which was never sold here. Fuji told me very clearly service in Japan only. Fuji USA told me the same thing via email.

Yeah I got that but because all you are talking about is the door/door latch, FujiUSA, if they can work on the GF670, can do the same for your W.
If they cared.

 

[nbagno]

I had the Voigtlander version which developed a problem setting the correct shutter speed at certain apertures. It was sent back to Cosina where that actually made a new part for it. (that's what they said). Took 6 months. That was 3 years ago...