Fuji GL690 Pro-- effect of shooting in "S" mode?

[AveryMiller]

Hello! Hope the holiday season treating everyone well!
A couple of months ago I purchased a GL690 Pro, and I've only put a couple rolls through it so far., but I'm quite pleased with it.
However, on the first two rolls I shot, I noticed how some images simply didn't show up on the roll. I was sure to test the shutter and I didn't notice any issues. Around this time I realized I had been shooting in "S" mode, instead of "R". (My understanding is that the s mode is for dry-firing, and the r mode is for roll film, not advancing unless film is loaded)
I assumed that this must have been the issue. so I shot a test roll (while also trying out a variety of shutter speeds), and all the shots showed up!
I wanted to shoot another test roll, just to make sure that the "s" mode was causing the issue, but I didn't get a chance before having to leave for a couple weeks. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the camera and could tell me if this makes sense or if theres something more significant going on.
Thanks as always!

 

[swchris]

AFAIK, "S" is for sheet film.

 

[JPD]

The manual says that "S" is for firing the shutter when the camera is not loaded with film, and nothing about sheet film.

https://www.cameramanuals.org/fuji_pdf/fujica_gl690_gm670.pdf

 

[Nitroplait]

The manual says that "S" is for firing the shutter when the camera is not loaded with film, and nothing about sheet film.

https://www.cameramanuals.org/fuji_pdf/fujica_gl690_gm670.pdf

The large Fuji rangefinder cameras were originally designed for shooting Japanese group tourists, and special single sheet films could be used on the earliest models in order not to waste film when the photographer rushed to develop the picture before the tourists would leave the attraction.
You are referring to the English manual, and I don't think Fuji or any other film maker ever marketed single sheets for these rangefinders outside Japan. They probably just wrote something in order not to leave a function "undocumented" in the english manual.
The GL690 also supports half length 120 film rolls (4 frames)- I have never heard of those being sold outside Japan either.
I have a GL690 and I don't recall I ever had the need to change the setting to S in order to dry-fire the shutter - it has been a while since I used it last so I may be mistaken.

[EDIT Addendum] Just checked my GL690. No need to set the selector to S. It dry fires fine on R.

 

[abruzzi]

I wonder what sized sheets they took? 2.25x3.25? Or something else like 6.5x9? Not that I want to use it, but just curious.

 

[itsdoable]

Lens cap?

That is usually the reason for blank shots on my rangefinders...

 

[reddesert]

The manual says that "S" is for firing the shutter when the camera is not loaded with film, and nothing about sheet film.

https://www.cameramanuals.org/fuji_pdf/fujica_gl690_gm670.pdf

That's the manual for the GL690, but the manual for the earlier G690 / G 690 BL versions of the camera does mention using 'S' to shoot sheet film. Here a couple of screenshots from the manual:

On my camera, you do have to turn the selector to S to dry fire the shutter. I think the shutter cocks on winding, but the release button is blocked until I turn it to S. BTW, it says "2-1/2 x 3-1/2" sheet film, but the French/German/Spanish translations in the manual say "6 x 9 cm."

 

[abruzzi]

interesting. reading that, it sounds like you were just supposed to place the film in place and trust the pressure from the pressure plate to hold it in place. I sort of figured that it had some sort of holder system like the RB sheet film holders or Hassleblad sheet holders, but that doesn't seem to be the case. 2.5x3.5 should be 6.5x9 film, but it may also work with 2.25x3.25.

 

[JPD]

I stand corrected, but sheet film use with this camera seems like an afterthought.

 

[Nitroplait]

The film rails will allow for 2.5 inch = 6.35cm max height - not more than that.
The single sheet functionality was likely not very used. If I remember correctly the GL/GM models were the last to be sold with this feature.

 

[AveryMiller]

Thanks for all the responses!

That's the manual for the GL690, but the manual for the earlier G690 / G 690 BL versions of the camera does mention using 'S' to shoot sheet film. Here a couple of screenshots from the manual:

View attachment 293596 View attachment 293597

On my camera, you do have to turn the selector to S to dry fire the shutter. I think the shutter cocks on winding, but the release button is blocked until I turn it to S. BTW, it says "2-1/2 x 3-1/2" sheet film, but the French/German/Spanish translations in the manual say "6 x 9 cm."

I read about this and I was very curious on how the sheet film was inserted. I guess I didn't need to over think it! I guess the only time using sheet film would make sense is if you couldn't get roll film, right?

Lens cap?

That is usually the reason for blank shots on my rangefinders...

So that was my though as well, but then I realized I don't have a lens cap for it yet! I'm using some older film (which, honestly, is a bad idea for testing a new camera but I currently don't really have another option) and I suspect I might be underexposing it significantly, resulting in some shots just appearing totally blank. I haven't been able to confirm that yet, but at this point I don't think I have another option without any photo chemicals.