Fuji GSW 690 III

marton · Feb 26, 2015

Hello film lovers

I'm wondering if anyone here uses the GSW for serious landscape work, and if so, what sort of quality is this camera able to deliver in terms of colour, contrast etc etc, and should I be aware of any negatives - no pun intended, where this camera is concerned?

papagene · Feb 26, 2015

I have one and it is a fine performer as a landscape camera. The negative is quite large and the lens is nice and sharp producing nice prints. The GSW 690 III is my main camera when I visit Rocky Mtn National Park.

Barry S · Feb 26, 2015

I shoot mostly large format and use the GSW690III for traveling when I can't bring a large kit. The Fuji 65mm out resolves all but the best large format lenses, so up to moderate enlargements like 11x14, it's hard to see any difference between GSW690III shots and LF. I bought this camera, sold it, regretted it, and repurchased it.

tony lockerbie · Feb 26, 2015

Hi Marton. I used to have a 69011 until I broke it, now I have a 680111 which is a wonderful thing. Much the same camera as the 690, only made for the Japanese market and as the name implies, takes 6x8 images.
I must admit that if I get really serious, I will use a 5x4 camera for it's movements and flexibility, but I often put the big Fuji in the car for grab shots when the 5x4 is too slow to set up. The image quality from the Fujinon lens is spectacular, especially in colour, so no complaints there!
Strong, easy to load, great viewfinder...so yes, it is a serious camera. The negatives..... well really only the fixed lens and lack of real close focusing are the two main problems. If you are shooting landscapes and don't require movements for dof, then the Fuji will work well, especially if you use a fine grain and sharp film like Pan F or Delta 100.

CropDusterMan · Feb 26, 2015

I have used this camera for years, and it is incredible. I was Martin Schoeller's first assistant for many years back
in the film days (2000-2004), and he introduced me to this camera, he had three...he bought me one for Christmas..the one I use to this day.
It is sharp, and has Fuji's legendary optics...whether for Color or B&W...hands down, a true "Texas Leica". We had
one back in the day we had converted to a polaroid back which we used for 665 Polaroids...what a combo!
In my opinion, if anyone actually cares, it is one of the finest camera out there. I also used the 6x12 Fuji...incredible.

marton · Feb 26, 2015

Thanks everyone. Some excellent news and views here. It seems as if this could be the big brother to the Pentax 645n I currently use, which is a very fine camera but the negatives for proper landscape work are too small for how I view the world, so I'm really excited to be buying the 690.
Eventually, I'm guessing I'll move into large format. It seems to be the ultimate and final destination for serious landscape work, but for the moment I need to familiarise myself a lot more with film and its variables.

@tony - Yes, at first I was a little hesitant because of the fixed lens, but after thinking about it some more I'm pretty sure it is not going to be an issue for me as I'll be using it as a dedicated wide angle camera anyway. For other shots, I'll simply use my Pentax 645n, or just get the 90mm version of the same camera if need be.

marton · Feb 26, 2015

CropDusterMan said:
I have used this camera for years, and it is incredible. I was Martin Schoeller's first assistant for many years back
in the film days (2000-2004), and he introduced me to this camera, he had three...he bought me one for Christmas..the one I use to this day.
It is sharp, and has Fuji's legendary optics...whether for Color or B&W...hands down, a true "Texas Leica". We had
one back in the day we had converted to a polaroid back which we used for 665 Polaroids...what a combo!
In my opinion, if anyone actually cares, it is one of the finest camera out there. I also used the 6x12 Fuji...incredible.

I'm sold. I haven't read one bad review on this camera. I might even try out the 6x12 at some stage.

Richard S. (rich815) · Feb 26, 2015

marton said:
I'm sold. I haven't read one bad review on this camera. I might even try out the 6x12 at some stage.

Then 4x5.

marton · Feb 26, 2015

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Then 4x5.

Probably a foregone conclusion. One of my old graduate photography lecturers is always talking about 4x5. I'm surrounded by large format users.

LMNOP · Feb 26, 2015

I have a GW690 ii on its way to me now, I cannot wait. 6x9 is an exciting new format for me. Based on what I've read, I may buy a second one if the right deal comes around!

narsuitus · Feb 27, 2015

I use the Fuji 6x9cm with a 65mm lens and a 6x7cm rangefinder with a 90mm lens. Both produce excellent B&W and color image quality.

The only negative to keep in mind is that the lens hood must be retracted when attaching Cokin rectangular filters. When retracted, the lens hood blocks access to the shutter speed and aperture controls.

To avoid this problem, some have the lens hood permanently removed (cut off).

https://flic.kr/p/92o73R

marton · Feb 27, 2015

I missed out on a real nice one of these at eBay by about five seconds. It was nice and cheap and located in Sydney.

I guess I'll be playing the waiting game.

tomfrh · Feb 27, 2015

I've thought about getting one of these. For landscape/nature work, what do you feel is more useful, GSW, or GW?

marton · Feb 27, 2015

The GSW has the 65mm lens and the GW a 90mm, therefore the GSW is wider, so probably better suited for landscape.

Texsport · Feb 27, 2015

I use the older, non-fixed lens Fuji 690 and 670 cameras, teamed with a Linhof 617 and a Noblex 150(6X12) for landscapes.

The 65/5.6 Fujinon is more used than the larger cameras, as it's faster and easier to frame. I also own a Fujinon 50/5.6 but find it too wide vertically for most landscapes. The 65mm is just right.

You will enjoy the 690 with 65/5.6.

Texsport

LMNOP · Feb 27, 2015

Anyone care to share what case/bag their using with a GW?

Regular Rod · Feb 27, 2015

Mine is mainly used for monochrome work. The lens is amazingly sharp and makes for very clear negatives. I'd say it matched any top quality offering from anyone else...

RR

Argenticien · Feb 27, 2015

marton said:
The GSW has the 65mm lens and the GW a 90mm, therefore the GSW is wider, so probably better suited for landscape.

Agreed and this would be true for landscapes in general (Fuji 690 or otherwise): if you're forced to shoot with a wide where you wish you had the normal, you can always crop the resulting picture. But if you're stuck on an outcrop or backed up against a cliff wall with only a normal, and have no space to "zoom with your feet" backwards, you're kind of out of options. I haven't worked with these Fujis (only other 6x9 machines) but they obviously leave a lot of room for cropping and still you'll be enlarging a lot of remaining negative.

Stephen, I'm from the other side of the world and have never visited Australia, but have heard of your town from "With My Swag All On My Shoulder"! (In knowing ca. 1963 Seekers music, I may be a nerdy outlier among Americans aged 40ish...)

--Dave

macfred · Feb 27, 2015

Holy mackerel, this thing is enormous! (Fuji GSW690 III)

An other epic thread for the FUJI - brick : (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

narsuitus · Feb 28, 2015

LMNOP said:
Anyone care to share what case/bag their using with a GW?

For maximum protection, I prefer a hard photo case. In my small water-tight Pelican case, I carry my medium format Fuji GW670 or my Fuji GSW690 rangefinder, a few rolls of film, and a light meter.

https://flic.kr/p/peKp4y

nbagno · Feb 28, 2015

LMNOP said:
Anyone care to share what case/bag their using with a GW?

I carry mine in a Lowpro slingshot.

Moopheus · Feb 28, 2015

I've got one of the bags Fuji made for it--got it from KEH for like $6. It's more like a floppy wrap than a real bag--so it's only marginally useful. When I've got the camera in my bike's trunk bag, it makes a little more padding. If I'm just walking around with it, I don't bother with the bag and just put a couple of rolls in my pocket.

Regular Rod · Feb 28, 2015

LMNOP said:
Anyone care to share what case/bag their using with a GW?

Think Tank Sling-O-Matic 20.

RR

marton · Mar 1, 2015

Won what looks like a nice GSW690III about ten minutes ago in eBay, and immediately put my Pentax 645N up for sale. I'm pretty excited by these turns of event and the possibilities.

marton · Mar 2, 2015

Argenticien said:
Agreed and this would be true for landscapes in general (Fuji 690 or otherwise): if you're forced to shoot with a wide where you wish you had the normal, you can always crop the resulting picture. But if you're stuck on an outcrop or backed up against a cliff wall with only a normal, and have no space to "zoom with your feet" backwards, you're kind of out of options. I haven't worked with these Fujis (only other 6x9 machines) but they obviously leave a lot of room for cropping and still you'll be enlarging a lot of remaining negative.

Stephen, I'm from the other side of the world and have never visited Australia, but have heard of your town from "With My Swag All On My Shoulder"! (In knowing ca. 1963 Seekers music, I may be a nerdy outlier among Americans aged 40ish...)

--Dave

Hi Dave

Bendigo as an international identity? My mind has officially been blown. It's a mid-size small town if that makes sense, a satellite city to Melbourne which is in the south. Nothing much goes on here except incessant and incredibly bright sunshine. The vegetation is not lush. It does, however, have a well respected University and a thriving avant garde music scene along with a large community of visual artists.

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